# Controller Date and Time

Each controller must have the date and time programmed for accurate reporting.

1. Select a controller in the Plant structure workspace .

2. Go to the Settings tab.

   The workspace area displays the General settings menus.

3. Select the source for the time reference.

4. Enter additional parameters, depending on the selected time source.

5. Select the controller's local time zone from the Time zone shortcut menu.

To achieve best time accuracy and stability it is recommended to use the NTP server that can communicate with all controllers.

The time source is selected from a shortcut menu, and can be one of the following:

- Manually enter time and date into the controller. This can be done through all GUI interfaces.

- Using the standardized Network Time Protocol (NTP). A server distributes time references to connected controllers. It is possible to configure up to two different NTP servers.

- Using the ToolsNet server as the time reference, if the controller is connected and online to the ToolsNet server. When using ToolsNet as the time reference it is important that the server and the controller are set to the same time zone, even if they are in separate time zones.

To add and configure Date and time:

Controller time setting
Parameter | Condition | Description
--- | --- | ---
Source |  | The selection is made from a shortcut menu. Select the method to configure a controller time and date.
Time zone |  | The selection is made from a shortcut menu. Select the time zone in which the controller is located.
Time | Source = Manual | Enter a time in the format Hours:Minutes:Seconds.
Date | Source = Manual | Enter a date from the calendar symbol.
SET command button | Source = Manual | Sends the entered date and time to the controller. To be able to execute this command, the controller must be online.
ADD command button | Source = NTP | Add an additional NTP server address.
DELETE command button | Source = NTP | Delete the selected NTP server address.
NTP server | Source = NTP | Enter the IP address of the NTP server.