Replace a PLC battery within 5 years!

Equipment

A PLC battery that controls powder handling equipment and production lines supplies power to retain various settings and recipe data. By replacing the battery regularly, troubles such as data loss and line stoppages can be prevented.

Take special caution in the following cases!

■ If you are using TSUKASA powder handling equipment:

- It has been five years or more since the PLC battery was last replaced

- You are using a PLC that is more than 15 years old

- The control panel is left without power for a long period, such as long holidays

- Data backups are not being performed

In the worst case, the following may occur!

- Equipment or production lines may suddenly stop
- Settings and recipe data may be lost
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Serious impact on the factory’s overall production schedule!

Are you assuming that “everything is fine” without checking?

“It’s always powered, so it’s fine” is not a valid assumption

While power is being supplied via a wired connection, data such as settings and recipes are maintained by the wired power supply. However, if the factory experiences a prolonged power outage during a long holiday or other event, data retention will be switched to the battery. At such time, if the battery is depleted or not functioning properly, there is a risk that settings and recipe data may be lost.

With a PLC more than 15 years old, there is also a risk of a complete shutdown of equipment or production lines.

If the PLC currently in use is a model that is more than 15 years old, extra caution is required. Not only the equipment’s settings and recipe data are powered by the battery, but also the circuits that enable the equipment to operate automatically are powered by the battery. Therefore, when the battery reaches the end of its life, the equipment and production lines will no longer function.

Keep the following countermeasures in mind!

Five years is a period for battery replacement

Battery replacement should be performed within five years. Rather than thinking “it’s probably still fine” or “we’ll deal with it if something happens,” regularly replace batteries with a preventive maintenance mindset.

Be sure to back up all data.

To ensure recovery in the event that settings or recipe data are lost, regularly create backups in formats such as Excel.

Always clearly define the battery replacement timing.

If an alert such as “PLC battery low” appears on the PLC touch panel, take immediate action. Ensure awareness by placing a sticker such as “Battery replaced: Oct. 25, 2023” in a clearly visible location on the equipment. The battery life is also listed on the main unit.

Battery life also varies depending on usage!

If you have any questions, please contact TSUKASA.

To enhance after-sales service for our clients, TSUKASA has established a system for experienced staff to respond promptly to inquiries. Please feel free to contact us at any time with any questions or concerns you may have about battery life or how to use equipment.

Replacement is also an option for models that are more than 15 years old

For models more than 15 years old, where a dead battery can be particularly serious, replacing the PLC itself is also an option.