Displaying SFC Operating Mode (AUT-MAN) and State (RUN-STOP) on WinCC SFC Block Icons

To display the operational mode (Auto/Manual) and operating state (Run/Stop/Held/Idle) directly on a WinCC SFC block icon in SIMATIC PCS 7, add an Extended Status Display (Erweiterte Statusanzeige) object to the SFC block icon template in @PCS7Typicals_.pdl or @Template_.pdl. In the Extended Status Display configuration, interconnect the status word output SFC_STATE or BA_STATE and the mode output QMAN_AUT from the SFC chart or SFC Type instance. Configure the bit evaluation matrix to map specific state bitmasks to custom graphical icons or status text strings, and run 'Create/Update Block Icons' in SIMATIC Manager Plant View to propagate the updated icon across all process screens.

SFC Block Icon Architecture and Extended Status Display

In SIMATIC PCS 7, Sequential Function Charts (both standalone SFC charts and SFC Types) are represented on WinCC overview screens by standardized block icons generated from template libraries (@PCS7Typicals_*.pdl or @Template_*.pdl). By default, standard SFC block icons (@SFC_TYPE/1 or @SFC_R_TYPE/1) display the technological tag name, group display alarms, and a numerical state or active step name.

However, process operators frequently require clear, instantaneous visual cues indicating whether the sequence is running under Automatic or Manual control (AUT vs MAN) and its exact operating condition (RUN, STOPPED, HELD, or IDLE). In PCS 7, this is achieved using the Extended Status Display (@StatusDisplay) ActiveX/OCX control embedded into the block icon template, driven by status bits exported by the SFC engine.

SFC Status Word (SFC_STATE) Bitmask Definitions

The internal state of an SFC is transmitted to WinCC via structured status words and binary flags exposed on the SFC interface:

Operating Mode (QMAN_AUT): Binary output indicating control authority (1 = Automatic, 0 = Manual).
SFC Status Word (SFC_STATE / BA_STATE): Double-word or Word integer output encoding the current Operating State Logic (OSL) condition. Standard bit allocations include:
- State 1: IDLE (Ready to start)
- State 2: STARTING (Executing start steps)
- State 3: RUN (Active running phase)
- State 4: COMPLETING / State 5: COMPLETED
- State 6: HOLDING / State 7: HELD
- State 8: STOPPING / State 9: STOPPED
- State 10: ABORTING / State 11: ABORTED
SFC_CONTROL Interface: Can also be decoded to read active command permissions and interlock status.

SFC State and Mode Mapping Configuration Matrix

The following table defines the status values and corresponding visual representation in the Extended Status Display:

Operating ConditionState Word Value / BitQMAN_AUT BitRecommended Display TextBackground ColorManual - IdleSFC_STATE = 10 (Manual)MAN / IDLEGrey / SilverAuto - IdleSFC_STATE = 11 (Auto)AUT / IDLEWhite / GreyAuto - Starting / RunSFC_STATE = 2 or 31 (Auto)AUT / RUNSolid GreenManual - RunSFC_STATE = 30 (Manual)MAN / RUNFlashing / Solid YellowHeld / PausedSFC_STATE = 7 or 13AnyHELDBlue / CyanStopping / StoppedSFC_STATE = 8 or 9AnySTOPSolid Red / Dark GreyAborted / ErrorSFC_STATE = 11 or 15AnyABORT / ERRFlashing Red

Step-by-Step Procedure to Customize the SFC Block Icon

To add mode and state indicators to the SFC block icon template:

Open Template Picture in Graphics Designer:
- In WinCC Explorer, open the project's @PCS7Typicals_V9.pdl (or local @Template_*.pdl).
- Locate the target SFC block icon (e.g., @SFC_TYPE/2).
Insert and Position Extended Status Display:
- From the WinCC Graphics Designer Object Palette, drag an Extended Status Display control into the block icon.
- Position the control adjacent to the tag name header or below the alarm group display.
Configure Status Tag Interconnections:
- Open the properties of the Extended Status Display.
- Under General, set Status Tag 1 to .SFC_STATE (relative tag interconnection).
- Set Status Tag 2 to .QMAN_AUT.
Define Bit Logic and Assign Bitmaps/Text:
- In the Extended Status Display Configuration Wizard, configure bit combinations:
- When Bit 0 of Tag 2 is 1 (Auto) and Tag 1 equals 3 (Run): assign green bitmap or text AUT RUN.
- When Bit 0 of Tag 2 is 0 (Manual) and Tag 1 equals 3 (Run): assign yellow bitmap or text MAN RUN.
- When Tag 1 equals 9 (Stopped): assign red/grey bitmap or text STOP.
- Save the configuration.
Group and Update Block Icons:
- Group the Extended Status Display into the customized block icon object.
- In SIMATIC Manager Plant View, select the target hierarchy folder or multiproject.
- Select Plant Hierarchy -> Create/Update Block Icons to propagate the new icon to all process pictures.

Verification

Verify block icon visual updates:
1. Open WinCC Runtime on the OS station.
2. Navigate to a process graphic containing the updated SFC block icon.
3. When the SFC is in IDLE, confirm the icon displays AUT / IDLE or MAN / IDLE depending on mode.
4. Start the sequence and verify that the status indicator transitions dynamically to RUN with green coloring.
5. Switch the SFC to Manual mode from the faceplate and verify that the mode banner switches instantaneously from AUT to MAN.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Template Protection: Never edit factory template files like @PCS7Typicals.pdl directly; copy them to a project-specific template file (e.g., @PCS7Typicals_Custom.pdl) to prevent overwrites during PCS 7 updates.
Relative Interconnection Syntax: Ensure tag interconnections use relative dot syntax (e.g., .SFC_STATE) so the block icon wizard can automatically resolve the instance tag prefix during OS compilation.
Performance Overhead: Extended Status Display controls add graphical processing overhead; keep bitmap resolutions compact to prevent screen loading delays on multi-screen clients.

Engineer FAQ

What tag outputs the operating mode on an SFC Type in PCS 7?

The binary output QMAN_AUT (or QAUTO) outputs 1 for Automatic mode and 0 for Manual mode.

Can I display the active step name on the SFC block icon?

Yes, standard SFC block icons include an internal text box bound to the relative string tag .PROP_STEP, which displays the name of the currently active step.

Why did my customized block icon revert back to default after compiling the OS?

Running 'Create/Update Block Icons' reads from the highest-priority @PCS7Typicals file. If the custom icon was not saved in the correct typicals file or if the 'type' attribute was mismatched, default templates overwrite changes.

Does the Extended Status Display work with standalone SFC charts as well as SFC Types?

Yes. Standalone SFC charts generate an internal instance DB during OS compile with equivalent status tags (SFC_STATE and QMAN_AUT) that resolve seamlessly.