Switching CFC Block Input Pin Displays in CEMAT - Configuring English vs German Signal Identifiers on C_DRV_1D

Switching CFC Block Input Pin Displays in CEMAT - Configuring English vs German Signal Identifiers on C_DRV_1D

To switch the display of function block input and output pins in SIMATIC PCS 7 CFC for CEMAT blocks (such as displaying standard English technical names like FbkRun instead of German abbreviations like ERM on the C_DRV_1D unidirectional drive block), configure the CEMAT library language settings or import the English (ENU) block definitions. In older or mixed installations, German signal acronyms (ERM = Einschalt-Rückmeldung, EBM = Betriebs-Meldung) persist if the German library version was originally copied into the S7 Program. To enforce English nomenclature, delete the obsolete block from the project's offline Blocks folder, copy the English C_DRV_1D block from the official CEMAT library directory (C:\CEMAT_CS\CFC\), and execute 'Options > Block Types > New Version' in CFC.

Table of Contents

• CEMAT Multi-Language Pin Architecture: German Acronyms vs International Naming
• Deciphering Classic German CEMAT Identifiers (ERM, EBM, ESR, ESP)
• How the CFC Editor Resolves Parameter Names and S7 Symbol Tables
• Root Cause of Language Locking: The Project S7 Library Block Cache
• Comparative Parameter Cross-Reference: German Acronyms to English Pins
• Step-by-Step Procedure to Update CEMAT Blocks to English Pin Names
• Verification
• Limitations and Operational Precautions
• Engineer FAQ
• Technical References
• Related Articles
• Related Tags

CEMAT Multi-Language Pin Architecture: German Acronyms vs International Naming

In heavy industries (cement plants, mining, and bulk solids handling), CEMAT has been the premier automation standard since its inception in the 1970s. Because CEMAT was originally developed in Germany by Siemens and cement plant consortia, its foundational technological blocks utilized standardized German functional abbreviations for all interface pins.

As CEMAT expanded into global worldwide deployment across North America, Asia, and Latin America, international engineering standards demanded intuitive English terminology.

Starting with CEMAT V6.x, V7.x, and V8.x, Siemens introduced full multi-language parameter support. Technological blocks such as C_DRV_1D (unidirectional motor), C_DRV_2D (reversible motor), C_DAMPER (actuator damper), and C_VALVE (solenoid valve) were re-engineered to support both classic German identifiers and international English naming.

Deciphering Classic German CEMAT Identifiers (ERM, EBM, ESR, ESP)

Engineers unfamiliar with German automation terminology often struggle when opening a CFC chart populated with esoteric acronyms on C_DRV_1D:

• ERM (Einschalt-Rückmeldung): The running feedback contact from the motor contactor / circuit breaker. In English: FbkRun.

• EBM (Betriebs-Meldung): Motor running signal for group progression and interlocking. In English: FbkRunOut or RunSig.

• ESR (Schutz-Rückmeldung): Electrical protection fault contact (overload relay / bimetal trip / thermistor). In English: ProtDev.

• ESP (Sperrung / Verriegelung): Process interlocking signal (upstream conveyor interlock). In English: IntStart / IntOp.

• EWS (Wartungs-Schalter): Local maintenance safety disconnect switch. In English: LocalSw / SafeSw.

Displaying English identifiers improves readability, eliminates commissioning errors, and accelerates troubleshooting for international teams.

How the CFC Editor Resolves Parameter Names and S7 Symbol Tables

When a block is placed into a CFC sheet, the CFC editor displays parameter names by querying the compiled Block Type Interface stored in the S7 Program's Blocks folder:

• Parameter names are not dynamic text strings translated on-the-fly by Windows display settings.

• Parameter names are hardcoded into the compiled Function Block's variable declaration table (VAR_INPUT, VAR_OUTPUT).

• If the project was originally seeded using a German template library, FB1001 (C_DRV_1D) has its input variable literally declared as ERM : BOOL;. No setting in CFC can change that parameter name to FbkRun because in the underlying Step 7 database, the variable's compiled identifier is ERM.

Root Cause of Language Locking: The Project S7 Library Block Cache

Why does a project continue to display ERM even when the Engineering Station is set to English?

• When an engineering project is created or migrated, blocks are copied from the master library into the project's local S7 Program Blocks folder.

• Once copied into the project, the local S7 Program retains its own isolated copy of the block.

• If the initial project setup selected the German (DEU) block library or imported charts from an older European plant, the German block definitions remain cached in the project database indefinitely.

• To switch the display to English, the cached German block type in the project library must be deleted and replaced with the official English (ENU) block version from the master CEMAT installation.

Comparative Parameter Cross-Reference: German Acronyms to English Pins

The following table provides the cross-reference between German acronyms and English pin names on the CEMAT C_DRV_1D block:

Step-by-Step Procedure to Update CEMAT Blocks to English Pin Names

Follow this procedure to update C_DRV_1D and all CEMAT blocks to English pin nomenclature:

1. Archive the Project Baseline:
   - Before modifying project libraries, create a complete archive in SIMATIC Manager (File > Archive).

2. Open Master CEMAT English Library:
   - In SIMATIC Manager, select File > Open > Libraries.
   - Browse to the official English CEMAT library (e.g., C:\CEMAT_CS\CFC\ or Cemat_Minerals_ENU).

3. Delete Cached German Blocks from Project:
   - In your project's Component View, expand S7 Program > Blocks.
   - Locate FB1001 (C_DRV_1D) and related CEMAT blocks showing German pins.

4. Copy English Blocks into Project:
   - From the English CEMAT library Blocks folder, select FB1001 and copy it.
   - Paste it into your project's S7 Program Blocks folder, confirming overwrite.

5. Update Block Types in CFC:
   - Open any CFC chart in the project.
   - Select menu Options > Block Types.
   - Select C_DRV_1D in the Offline block folder list.
   - Click -> New Version.
   - Acknowledge interface synchronization.

6. Verify and Compile:
   - Open the CFC chart hosting C_DRV_1D. Confirm that the input pin now displays FbkRun instead of ERM.
   - Execute CFC > Compile > Changes only and download to the AS.

Verification

Verify language update through these validation checks:

1. Open a CFC chart containing C_DRV_1D. Inspect the block header and input margin.
2. Confirm that the first input pin reads FbkRun and the protection device pin reads ProtDev.
3. Verify that existing signal interconnections (e.g., from digital input channel drivers) remain intact and connected to the renamed pins.
4. Switch to CFC Test Mode (Ctrl+T). Toggle the running feedback contact and confirm that FbkRun transitions to 1 without logic failure.
5. Verify that WinCC OS Runtime faceplates continue to open and operate normally.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

• Interface Compatibility: Ensure that the replacement English block matches the exact same version and revision of CEMAT as the original German block. Replacing a V7.1 block with a V8.2 block will trigger interface mismatches and force a CPU STOP download.
• Symbol Table Synchronization: In the Step 7 Symbol Table, ensure that symbolic names and block comments are also updated to English to maintain consistent documentation.
• WinCC Tag Suffix Alignment: In classic CEMAT, WinCC tags may use property extensions mapped to pin names. Verify that OS compilation does not break existing faceplate dynamic dialogs.

Engineer FAQ

Why did my block pins show German names when my PCS 7 language is English?

CFC displays parameter names stored directly in the block's variable declaration table. If the block was compiled from a German source or copied from a German library, the variable names remain permanently in German until replaced.

Will updating the block type delete my existing wire connections in CFC?

No. Because Siemens engineered the English and German versions with identical parameter offsets and internal structures, executing Options > Block Types > New Version preserves existing wire interconnections.

Can I rename the pins manually inside the CFC chart?

No. Parameter names are governed by the block type definition. You can assign I/O comments, but you cannot rename the formal pin name without modifying the block interface.

Where can I find the official English CEMAT library files?

Official English CEMAT library files are installed in C:\CEMAT_CS\CFC\ or distributed within the CEMAT installation media under Libraries\ENU.

Does this apply to other CEMAT blocks like C_DAMPER and C_VALVE?

Yes. The same German-to-English parameter mapping applies to C_DAMPER (KWE -> FbkPos, VBE -> CmdOpen), C_VALVE, C_GROUP, and C_ROUTE.

Technical References

• Siemens CEMAT V8.1 Object Descriptions Manual (05_Object_Descriptions.pdf) - Section C_DRV_1D
• Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) Entry ID 182552 - Change view for inputs of the block C_DRV_1D of CEMAT
• SIMATIC Process Control System PCS 7 CEMAT V8.1 Engineering Guidelines Manual
• SIMATIC Process Control System PCS 7 CFC for S7 Manual - Chapter 8: Block Types Management

Related Articles

• Locating Documentation and Implementing CEMAT AddOn Blocks in SIMATIC PCS 7
• Activating the Quick Stop Button on CEMAT C_GROUP Faceplates in SIMATIC PCS 7
• CEMAT Cascaded Interlocks on OS Clients - Resolving Missing C_INTER Faceplates
• Automated Function Block Replacement in SIMATIC PCS 7 CFC - Tools and Workflows

Related Tags

• CEMAT
• C_DRV_1D
• FbkRun
• ERM
• Block Types
• Parameter Names
• Cement Automation