The integrated system diagnostics of the HGE CP238TA contain extensive diagnostic functions without any additional programming effort. Diagnostics are simply configured and require no programming. In addition, the display concept has been standardized. Messages (e.g. from the drive or about faults) are displayed as plain text messages on the CPU display and are visualized in the same way on all devices – in TIA Portal, in the human-machine interface (HMI), and in the Web server. The practical and visual 1:1 assignment of terminals and LED labels also gives users an advantage, as it saves time during commissioning, testing and diagnostics as well as during operation.

The GE CP238TA controller is also integrated into the TIA Portal engineering framework. This provides controllers, HMIs and drives with a standardized operating concept, shared data storage and automatic data consistency across the project, as well as powerful libraries covering all automation objects. The new TIA Portal version 12 features even more powerful functions, automatic system diagnostics, integrated safety functions, robust Profinet communication, integrated security and an optimized programming language. Thanks to its task-oriented and intuitive editor, the new software is easy to learn and use. It has efficient features for fast programming, commissioning and service.

The GE CP238TA takes advantage of the additional memory storage capacity in the latest generation of Logix controllers, so that program comments (e.g., describing the function of each line of code) can be maintained directly in the controller without reducing the available user memory. Complete programs can now be stored in the controller with annotations associated for multiple users, reducing the time and effort associated with maintenance and troubleshooting.