Adding and configuring Modbus devices

Access and prerequisites

Connect the devices and open the controller web interface using its IP address or http://wirenboard-XXXXXXXX.local, where XXXXXXXX is the controller serial number. Ethernet or Wi-Fi can be used. A connected controller can also be accessed through Wiren Board Cloud. HTTPS access may redirect to its assigned domain.

Configuration requires an Admin account. Manage accounts under Settings → Users. Releases before wb-2602 use Settings → Access level instead.

Serial port

1. Open Settings → Configs → Serial devices driver configuration.
2. Select the connected port and enable it.
3. Set the serial parameters to match the devices. All devices on one port must use matching settings. Wiren Board recommends 115200 bit/s for faster response after suitable bus wiring and device configuration.
4. Click Save settings.

TCP port

Choose Add port and select Serial over TCP or MODBUS TCP as appropriate. Enter the gateway IPv4 address or hostname and TCP port, then save. WB-MGE and WB-MIO-E use this workflow.

Automatic discovery

1. Choose Find and add devices in Serial devices driver configuration.
2. The controller scans direct RS-485 connections and supported TCP gateways. Use Start slow scan for devices without Fast Modbus.
3. Select devices and choose Add to wb-mqtt-serial. The configurator can resolve conflicting addresses, align communication settings with the port and select templates.
4. Save settings. If multiple templates match a signature, choose the correct template manually.

Discovery is unavailable in wb-2207 and earlier. In wb-2304 through wb-2404, it is under Settings → Scanning.

Manual addition

1. Choose Add any devices manually.
2. Select the port and device template: WB-M1W2 or WB-MR6C v.3 for these manuals.
3. Enter the device's Modbus address from its label or a bus scan.
4. Save settings.

For an unsupported device, install a custom template or select Device with Modbus protocol. Enable User-defined channels in Properties, add each channel and enter its name, register address and parameters.

Channels and settings

Check the device on the Devices tab. If missing, verify the port parameters and address. In its configuration, disable unused channel polling, select input/output modes and set additional parameters. User-defined channels can expose parameters absent from the template.

The configurator displays a value from its configuration first, then reads the device if no configured value exists, and otherwise uses a default if the device is disconnected. Only non-default or explicitly changed values are saved, keeping configuration compact.

Polling

Usually leave Wiren Board polling intervals at their defaults: event-capable channels use Fast Modbus. Optional intervals can be specified for third-party channels. Control writes are prioritised and sent at the first opportunity.