1. Issue

Customer needs technical support on how to realize the secure authentication for M340 PLC?

2. Environment

M340 Processor with Firmware version 3.60
Control Expert V16.0
M340 Application version 3.60

3. Description

Update the M340 processor firmware to V3.60 (or use the SV3.60 M340 processor), program with Control Expert V16.0 and M340 Application version 3.60.
Then Select “Protected Engineering Link” in M340 CPU configuration,


and Set application password in Project Properties à Project & Control Protection.


In this environment, build the project, connect to M340 CPU, and download the configuration & applications after which the secure authentication mode is established in M340.

Note: this “Protected Engineering Link” option is enabled by default in Control Expert V16.0 with M340 Application version 3.60. It may cause initial connection time between Control Expert and M340 controller due to the cyber security inspection mechanism to be established.

Workaround: Deselect the “Protected Engineering Link” mode, or change the Mast task to “Periodic” & “>20ms.

Released for: Schneider Electric Philippines