JANUARY 2005

IC108A IC109A-R3
IC108C IC109C
IC108AE IC109AE

RS-232↔485/422 Converter Plus

RS-232↔485/422 Opto-Isolator/Converter

CUSTOMER Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500)
SUPPORT FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746
INFORMATION Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
 FCC AND IC RFI STATEMENTS

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

AND
INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy, and if not
installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested
and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance
with the specifications in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his own
expense will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct
the interference.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible

for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

1
RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)

ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT

INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD

1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de

que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.

2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para

referencia futura.

3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de

operación deben ser respetadas.

4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.

5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo, cerca
de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc..

6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales que
sean recomendados por el fabricante.

7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.

8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá
a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio deberá ser
referido a personal de servicio calificado.

9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no

interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá,
alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe colocar
en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de
ventilación.

10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor
como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo
amplificadores) que producen calor.

11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.

2
 NOM STATEMENT

12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización
del equipo no sea eliminada.

13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen del
aparato.

14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las

recomendaciones del fabricante.

15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas
de energia.

16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea
usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.

17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.

18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:

A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u

B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en su
desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

3
 RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL

AT and IBM are registered trademarks of International Business Machines
Corporation.

Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the
trademark owners.

4
 CONTENTS

Contents
Chapter Page

1. Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1 Jumper and Switch Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1.1 DTE/DCE Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1.2 Frame Ground/Signal Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1.3 Full/Half-Duplex Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1.4 CTS Delay (W9 Jumper) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1.5 RS-485 Driver Enable (W15) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1.6 Half-Duplex Turnaround Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.1.7 RS-485 Interface Terminated or Unterminated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.1.8 Normal/Loopback Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.1.9 RS-485 Interface Line Biased (Fail-Safe) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.2 DCE/DTE Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.3 Typical Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Appendix: Pinning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Quick Reference: User-Selectable Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

5
 RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

1. Specifications
Optical Isolation: IC109A-R3, IC109AE, IC109C only

Pins Supported: RS-232 port: TD, RD, RTS, CTS, CD, DTR, DSR, SG, and FG;
RS-485 port: TXA, TXB, RXA, RXB

Data Rate: Up to 115 kbps, transparent to data

Operation: Point-to-point or multipoint; Full or half-duplex; Transparent to data;

Selectable RTS-to-CTS delay with option to inhibit CTS if CD is present (DCE);
DTE or DCE configurable RS-232 port; Normal or loopback operation

Timeout Delay: 0.15, 0.7, 2, 7, or 70 msec (for the RS-485 driver enabled by data
feature)

MTBF: Approximately 180,000 hours (ground benign environment)

Interface: (1) asynchronous RS-232 port (DTE/DCE selectable); (1) asynchronous

RS-485 port with improved surge protection and switch-selectable line termination
or line bias

Connectors: (1) DB25 female RS-232 port; (1) four-wire terminal block (TB1)
RS-485 port

Indicators: (5) LEDs: TX, RX, RTS, CD, and PWR

Temperature Tolerance: Operating: 32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C);

Storage: -4 to +158°F (-20 to +70°C)

Humidity: Up to 95% relative humidity, noncondensing

Power: PS154 (for use with IC108A, IC109A-R3): Input: 120 V, 60 Hz, 20 W;
Output: AC 17 VCT, 0.7 A;
PS154E (for use with IC108AE, IC109AE): Input: 230 V, 50 Hz, 20 W;
Output: AC 17 VCT, 750 mA

Size: IC108A, IC108AE, IC109A-R3, IC109AE: 1.8"H x 5.5"W x 8.4"D (4.6 x 14 x

21.3 cm);
IC108C, IC109C: 4.7"H x 0.6"W x 7.4"D (11.9 x 1.5 x 18.8 cm)

Weight: IC108A, IC108AE, IC109A-R3, IC109AE: 1 lb. (0.5 kg);

Power supply only: PS154: 0.4 lb. (0.2 kg), PS154E: 1.1 lb. (0.5 kg)

6
 CHAPTER 2: Introduction

2. Introduction
The RS-232↔485/422 Converter Plus and the RS-232↔485/422 Opto-Isolator/
Converter are interface converters that change the electrical characteristics from a
non-balanced data standard (RS-232) to a balanced data standard (RS-422 or
RS-485). The units do not change/manipulate the actual data that passes through
the unit. For example, use the converters in an industrial application where RS-485
or RS-422 devices need to connect to an RS-232 device.

All models are RS-232-to-RS-485 interface converters that can be used in pairs to
operate in the same manner as a line driver. Each allows an RS-232 device to
transmit data over much longer distances than is normally possible. Depending on
the operating environment, as many as 64 devices can be linked together using
twisted-pair cable.

Models without opto-isolation include IC108A, IC108AE, and IC108C. Models with
opto-isolation (IC109A-R3, IC109AE, and IC109C) protect equipment from
differences in ground potentials on one side of the unit to the other side of the
unit. Inside the RS-232↔485/422 Opto-Isolator/Converter, optical isolation
circuitry converts electrical signals to light and back again, to keep signal noise and
ground loops from crossing between your RS-485 installation’s segments. That
means the electrical noise from your factory floor won’t affect your office
communications, and the difference in ground potential between buildings won’t
damage your sensitive equipment.

The converters are available in standalone (IC108A, IC108AE, IC109A-R3,

IC109AE) and rackmount (IC108C and IC109C) versions. The rackmount cards fit
in the multi-function rack (part number RM005).

If you ordered the IC109A-R3, you should have received a cable and an adapter
with your RS-232↔485/422 Opto-Isolator/Converter. The cable plugs into an
IBM® PC AT® (or clone) DB9 COM port. The adapter is used with the supplied
cable to connect to an IBM PC computer’s DB25 COM port.

A manual loopback test checks the system wiring for both the RS-232 and RS-485
interfaces.

7
 RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

3. Installation
This section describes the jumper and switch functions for configuring the
converter. See Figure 1 on the next page for the component locations.

To install your RS-232↔485/422 Converter Plus or RS-232↔422/485 Opto-

Isolator/Converter:

1. Set each of the ten jumpers/switches for your application.

2. Connect the converters together as shown in Figures 5 through 8 (pages

22–24).

3. Apply power. (Use power supply PS154 or PS154E, depending on which

RS-232↔485/422 converter you have. See Chapter 1 for more information.)

3.1 Jumper and Switch Configuration

NOTE
As you read this section, refer to Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 (pages 14–16)
lists DCE jumper settings, and Table 2 (pages 19–21) lists DTE jumper
settings.

3.1.1 DTE/DCE CONFIGURATION

A DIP shunt is used to select DTE or DCE configuration. For the RS-232↔485/422
converter to appear as a DTE device, put the DIP shunt jumper in socket XW1B.
(See Figure 1.) For the RS-232↔485/422 converter to appear as a DCE device, put
the DIP shunt jumper in socket XW1A.

3.1.2 FRAME GROUND/SIGNAL GROUND

Jumper W7 ties signal ground to frame ground. The position is left open at the
factory. To connect signal ground to frame ground, solder a 100-ohm, 1⁄2-watt
resistor in location W7. Or, use a wire jumper. Make sure that ground circulating
currents are limited to acceptable levels.

3.1.3 FULL/HALF-DUPLEX OPERATION

Jumper W8 selects full or half-duplex operation. Set W8 to the HALF position (B-C
position) for half-duplex operation. Set W8 to the FULL position (A-B position)
for full duplex operation.

8
 CHAPTER 3: Installation

NOTE
When the jumper W9 (CTS) is in the ON position and jumper W15 is in
the A-B position, the RS-485 driver is always turned on to enable data
transmission. Therefore, half-duplex transmission is not possible. See
Section 3.1.5 for the RS-485 driver’s explanation.

Figure 1. The printed circuit board’s layout.

9
 RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

3.1.4 CTS DELAY (W9 JUMPER)

When the converter’s transmitter is first turned on, an unstable carrier signal is
transmitted for several milliseconds. If data was sent during this period, it’s
received as distorted information. Setting a CTS delay on the RS-232↔485/422
converter allows the communications link to settle down before data can be sent.

RS-232↔485/422 Converter as DCE (XW1A 8-Position Shunt)

When the RS-232↔485/422 converter is configured as a DCE device (DIP shunt in

position XW1A), jumper W9 controls the amount of delay from the time RTS
(jumper W5 in the A-B position) is received true until CTS is asserted true. If W5 is
in the B-C position, CTS will be inhibited if an RS-485 carrier is present when RTS
is raised. To select a CTS delay period, set jumper W9 to the 0-, 10-, or 30-msec
position. Regardless of the delay setting selected, when RTS goes false, CTS will
immediately go false. If jumper W9 is in the “ON” position, CTS is held at +5 VDC.

RS-232↔485/422 Converter as DTE (XW1B 8-Position Shunt)

When the RS-232↔485/422 converter is configured as a DTE device (DIP shunt in

position XW1B), CTS is not supported.

3.1.5 RS-485 DRIVER ENABLE (W15)

The RS-232↔485/422 converter’s RS-485 driver can be set to be enabled in one of
three ways: 1) by RS-232 control signals, 2) by data, or 3) constantly on via setting
W9 in the ON position.

Driver Enabled by RS-232 Control Leads

If your equipment raises CD or RTS when it is ready to send data, you can set the
RS-485 driver to be enabled by one of these leads. If your equipment does not have
the capability to raise CD or RTS, you will need to set the RS-485 driver to be
enabled by data or constantly enabled.

In order for an RS-232 control lead to enable the RS-485 driver, W15 must be in
position A-B and W9 must be set for 0, 10, or 30 ms.

• When the RS-232 port is selected as DTE (DIP shunt in the XW1B position),
the RS-485 driver will be enabled when CD (pin 8 of the RS-232 connector)
goes true.

• When the RS-232 port is selected as DCE (DIP shunt in the XW1A position),
RTS enables the driver.

10
 CHAPTER 3: Installation

Driver Enabled by Data

The RS-485 driver can also be enabled without asserting an RS-232 control lead.
When jumper W15 is placed in the B-C position, the driver is enabled when data is
received on the RS-232 port of the RS-232↔485/422 converter. As soon as the first
bit of the first character is received at the RS-232 port, the RS-485 driver is enabled
and an internal timer is started. The timer begins its “time out” on a low (0) to
high (1) transition of data. When the timer times out, the RS-485 driver is disabled.
Jumper W17 allows this timeout delay to be set for 0.15, 0.7, 2, 7, or 70 msec.

NOTE
There’s a limitation to using this “DATA ENABLES DRIVER” feature. At
data rates above 64 kbps, the first character in the data stream will be
garbled by the converter. If higher data rates are required, transmit a
<break> if possible, or a <nul> character before each message. This will
enable the RS-485 driver, activate the timer, and allow the message to
be transmitted without errors. The receiving device will need to ignore
the first character received.

Driver Constantly Enabled (4 Wire Only)

The RS-485 driver can be constantly enabled by setting jumper W9 to the ON

position.

3.1.6 HALF-DUPLEX TURNAROUND DELAY

When operating in half-duplex mode (jumper W8 in the HALF position [B-C
position]), the RS-232↔485/422 converter adds a small delay each time it stops
transmitting data and prepares to receive data. This delay allows the RS-485
interface and transmission line time to stabilize, reducing the possibility of garbled
data being received at the end of a message.

The turnaround delays are 0 (W16 in position A), 0.1 msec (W16 in position B),
1 msec (W16 in position C), 5 msec (W16 in position D), and 35 msec (W16 in
position E).

3.1.7 RS-485 INTERFACE TERMINATED OR UNTERMINATED

Some distortion on the twisted-pair line may be caused by impedance mismatch
from the different devices connected to the line. To help eliminate this type of
distortion, terminate the RS-485 interface with a resistor network at the receiver
input pins (RXA and RXB) via switch S2. When S2 is placed in the “TERM”
position, the resistor network is connected across the line. When S2 is placed in the
“UNTERM” position, no connection to the resistor network is made and the line is
not terminated.

11
 RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

Point-to-Point

When only two devices are connected to the line in a point-to-point application,
each device should have the termination network connected to the line. Set switch
S2 to the “TERM” position (see Figures 5 and 6).

Multipoint

For multipoint applications, switch S2 should be in the “UNTERM” position on all

the RS-232↔485/422 converter devices in the network except for the two units at
the extreme opposite locations on the line. The extreme opposite devices are the
two devices that have the greatest cable length between them, which may not
necessarily be the devices that are physically located the farthest apart. These two
units should be set in the “TERM” position (see Figure 7). If any of the other
RS-232↔485/422 converters were configured as “terminated,” the amount of
distortion could increase—possibly causing errors in the data being transmitted.

3.1.8 NORMAL/LOOPBACK OPERATION

The Normal/Loopback switch (S1) is a two-position pushbutton switch extending
through the front panel. The Normal position permits the RS-232↔485/422
converter to operate normally. The Loopback position allows data coming into the
RS-232↔485/422 converter to be sent back out the same port. This is for testing
the connection between the RS-232↔485/422 converter and the device attached
to each port.

Normal

When this switch is in the normal mode, data is passed through the converter from
the RS-232 port to the RS-485 port and vice versa.

Loopback

When set to the loopback mode, any data received at the RS-485 port will be
transmitted back out the RS-485 port and any data received at the RS-232 port will
be transmitted back out the RS-232 port.

3.1.9 RS-485 INTERFACE LINE BIASED (FAIL-SAFE)

If S3 is in the Off position, there is no line bias. If S3 is in the On position, there is
line bias. Setting to the on position will help stabilize the RS-422/RS-485 data lines.
This is useful if there’s noise on the data lines.

12
 CHAPTER 3: Installation

3.2 DCE/DTE Configuration

This section contains block diagrams (Figures 2 and 4) and jumper and switch
settings (Tables 1 and 2) for DCE/DTE operation. For a detailed description of
the jumpers and switches, see Section 3.1.

Figure 2. Simplified functional block diagram (DCE operation).

13
RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

Table 1. DCE jumper settings.

NOTE
For additional information on the jumper requirements, see Section 3.1.

Function Jumper Requirements

1. Configure the RS-232 port as DCE XW1 in A position

2. Signal ground connected to frame ground

• Connected W7 is IN (solder your own 100-ohm,
1⁄2-watt
resistor in place)

• Not connected W7 is OUT

3. Full or half-duplex operation

• Full duplex W8 in FULL position (4 wire, A-B)

• Half-duplex W8 in HALF position (2 wire, B-C)

4. CTS delay
• Yes W9 in 0-ms position
W9 in 10-ms position
W9 in 30-ms position

• No W9 in ON position
(no delay, CTS held to +5 VDC)

14
 CHAPTER 3: Installation

Table 1 (continued). DCE jumper settings.

Function Jumper Requirements

5. Enable the RS-485 driver

a. RS-485 driver is enabled by
RS-232 control leads
• by RTS W15 in A-B position and
See Section 3.1.5 for more W9 in 0-ms position
information. W9 in 10-ms position
W9 in 30-ms position

b. RS-485 driver is enabled by data W15 in B-C position and

How long the TX stays active after W17 msec
data is received on the RS-232 port A 70-ms position
(see Section 3.1.5). B 7-ms position
C 2-ms position
D 0.7-ms position
E 0.15-ms position

c. RS-485 driver constantly enabled W9 in ON position

(see Section 3.1.5).

6. Half-duplex turnaround delay W8 in HALF (B-C) position and

• 0-msec turnaround delay W16 in position A

• 0.1-msec turnaround delay W16 in position B

• 1-msec turnaround delay W16 in position C

• 5-msec turnaround delay W16 in position D

• 35-msec turnaround delay W16 in position E

(see Section 3.1.6).

15
RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

Table 1 (continued). DCE jumper settings.

Function Jumper Requirements

7. RS-485 interface is terminated

or unterminated
• Terminated S2 in TERM position (ON)

• Unterminated S2 in UNTERM position (OFF)

See Section 3.1.7 for more information.

8. Normal or loopback operation

• Normal mode S1 in Normal position (released)

• Loopback mode S1 in Loopback position (pressed in)

See Section 3.1.8 for more information.

9. RS-485 Interface Line Biased (Fail- S3 Off No line bias

Safe), Receive
S3 On Line biased
See Section 3.1.9 for more information.

NOTE
If line bias is on, the RS-485 CD will ALWAYS be on. See Figure 3.

16
 CHAPTER 3: Installation

Figure 3. Line bias. S2 shows the line termination when

“Term” is selected. S3 shows line bias when “Bias” is selected.

17
RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

Opto-isolated barrier
in IC109 models

Figure 4. Simplified functional block diagram (DTE operation).

NOTE
The delay settings for W9 apply only to the RS-232↔485/422 converter’s
CTS output. Since CTS is not used when the RS-232↔485/422 converter
is configured as a DTE device, placing jumper W9 in either the 0-, 10-, or
30-msec position will allow the CD input to enable the RS-485 driver.
When jumper W9 is in the ON position, the CD input has no affect on the
RS-485 driver.

18
 CHAPTER 3: Installation

Table 2. DTE jumper settings.

NOTE
For additional information on the jumper requirements, see Section 3.1.

Function Jumper Requirements

1. Configure the RS-232 port as DTE XW1 in B position

2. Signal ground connected to

frame ground
• Connected W7 is IN (100-ohm, 1⁄2-watt
resistor soldered in place)

• Not connected W7 is OUT

3. Full or half-duplex operation

• Full duplex W8 in FULL position (4 wire, A-B)

• Half-duplex W8 in HALF position (2 wire, B-C)

4. CTS delay CTS not supported

5. Enable the RS-485 driver

a. RS-485 driver enabled by W15 in A-B position and
RS-232 lead CD W9 in 0-ms position
W9 in 10-ms position
W9 in 30-ms position

19
RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

Table 2 (continued). DTE jumper settings.

Function Jumper Requirements

b. RS-485 driver is enabled by data W15 in B-C position and

• Disable timeout delay W17 msec
A 70
B 7
C 2
D 0.7
E 0.15

c. RS-485 driver is constantly enabled W9 in ON position

6. Half-duplex turnaround delay W8 in HALF position and

• 0-msec turnaround delay W16 in position A
• 0.1-msec turnaround delay W16 in position B
• 1-msec turnaround delay W16 in position C
• 5-msec turnaround delay W16 in position D
• 35-msec turnaround delay W16 in position E

7. RS-485 interface is terminated

or unterminated
• Terminated S2 in TERM position (ON)

• Unterminated S2 in UNTERM position (OFF)

8. Normal or loopback operation

a. Normal mode S1 in Normal position (Released)

b. Loopback mode S2 in Loopback position (Pressed in)

20
 CHAPTER 3: Installation

Table 2 (continued). DTE jumper settings.

Function Jumper Requirements

9. RS-485 Interface Line Biased (Fail- S3 Off No line bias

Safe), Receive
S3 On Line biased

NOTE
If line bias is on, the RS-485 CD will ALWAYS be on.

3.3 Typical Applications

This section describes some typical applications where the RS-232↔485/422
converter might be used. The connections shown in the figures are for the RS-485
port.

Figure 5 shows a typical point-to-point, 4-wire, full or half-duplex connection with

both RS-232↔485/422 converters terminated by setting switch S2 to the TERM
position. Figure 6 shows a typical point-to-point, 2-wire, half-duplex connection
with both RS-232↔485/422 converters terminated by setting switch S2 to the
TERM position.

In a 4-wire, full-duplex, point-to-point application, each of the drivers on the two

RS-232↔485/422 converters may always be enabled without any adverse effects.
See Figure 5.

In a 2-wire, point-to-point or multipoint application, only one driver may be

enabled at any one time. See Figure 6. If more than one driver is turned ON, a
situation known as contention occurs and the data from one driver interferes with
the data from the other driver. This results in both sets of data being unintelligible
or inhibits data flow altogether.

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RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

Figure 5. Point-to-point, 4-wire (full or half-duplex).

Figure 6. Point-to-point, 2-wire (half-duplex).

22
 CHAPTER 3: Installation

Figure 7 shows a typical multipoint, 4-wire, half-duplex connection. Figure 8 shows

a typical multipoint, 2-wire, half-duplex connection. In the multipoint applications
depicted in Figures 7 and 8, the devices at the extreme opposite ends of the
installation are terminated by setting switch S2 to the TERM position. These
devices are the two devices that have the greatest cable length between them, not
necessarily the devices that are physically located the farthest apart. (See Figures 7
and 8.) A resistor shown in the circuit indicates that the termination resistor has
been selected via switch S2.

NOTE
Although Figures 7 and 8 show only four RS-232↔485/ 422 converter
devices networked together, up to 64 units can be connected in the
manner shown in Figure 7, and up to 32 units as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 7. Multipoint, 4-wire (half-duplex).

23
RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

Figure 8. Multipoint, 2-wire (half-duplex).

24
 CHAPTER 3: Installation

Example: 2-Wire Multipoint Configuration Using RTS Enable

In the following application, an industrial controller is used to gather information

from several remote programmable logic controller (PLC) stations (see Figure 9).
A system protocol has been defined such that all the programmable logic
controllers receive the information sent by the industrial controller, but only the
remote station specifically addressed will respond. In this system, the industrial
controller and all the remote stations are DTE devices. The step-by-step installation
procedure follows Figure 9.

RS-232↔485/422
Converter Plus

Figure 9. Sample multipoint operation.

Installation Procedure for the Multipoint Application in Figure 9

1. Set all the RS-232↔485/422 converters for DCE operation (jumper XW1 in
position A).

2. Connect a straight-through cable from the RS-232 port on each

RS-232↔485/422 converter to the RS-232 port on each of the PLCs.

3. Set all the RS-232↔485/422 converters for normal operation (switch S1 [the
loopback switch] in the “Normal” position).

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RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

4. After a remote station has been addressed, data transmission can occur
between that station and the industrial controller until the industrial
controller sends a “CLEAR” command. This command causes the remote
PLC to resume data logging while waiting to be addressed again. In this
application, set each RS-232↔485/422 converter for half-duplex operation
(jumper W8 in the “HALF” [B-C] position).

5. Connect the RS-232↔485/422 converters together via a 2-wire twisted-pair

cable (see Figure 7).

6. Terminate (switch S2 in the TERM position) the two RS-232↔485/422

converters that have the greatest cable run between them and leave the others
unterminated (switch S2 in the UNTERM position).

7. Since all remote PLC stations must be inactive until addressed, each remote
RS-232↔485/422 converter’s RS-485 driver must not be constantly enabled
(each remote RS-232↔485/422 converter’s W9 jumper must be set to a
position other than ON—30-, 10-, or 0-msec delay). The remote PLCs are
fairly far from the industrial controller in our example, so it would be wise to
set the CTS Delay (jumper W9) for 10 msec. This allows the line to stabilize
after a remote PLC becomes active but before it starts to transmit.

8. Set jumper W9 on the RS-232↔485/422 converter connected to the

industrial controller to a delay of 30, 10, or 0 msec.

9. Set each remote RS-232↔485/422 converter’s W15 jumper and the master
RS-232↔485/422 converter to the A-B position. This allows the
RS-485 driver to be enabled via the RS-232 control lead (in our example,
RTS).

10. Jumper W16 is only used in 2-wire mode. W17 is only used in data enable
mode. See Table 1. Typically, the default settings are fine.

11. This completes the configuration procedure. The system can now be
activated.

26
 APPENDIX: Pinning

Appendix. Pinning
Tables 3 and 4 show the RS-232 and RS-485 interface pinnings.

Table 3. RS-232 interface.

NOTE
Pins 9 through 25 are not used.

Pin Circuit Description Signal Type Direction

when configured as
DCE DTE

1 AA Protective Ground Ground — —

2 BA Transmitted Data Data Input Output

3 BB Receive Data Data Output Input

4 CA Request to Send Control Input Output

5 CB Clear to Send Control Output Not connected

6 CC Data Set Ready Control Output Not connected

(held
high)

7 AB Signal Ground Ground — —

8 CF Data Carrier Detect Control Output Input

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RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

Table 4. RS-485 pinning chart.

Pin Name Description

TXA and TXB Data received by the RS-232↔485/422 converter at the

TXA=TX- RS-232 port is transmitted out of the unit over twisted-
TXB=TX+ pair wires via these two outputs. The TX LED indicates
the state of these two leads. When the TXA lead is
positive with respect to the TXB lead (a “zero” being
transmitted), the TX LED is lit.

RXA and RXB These are the received data inputs for the RS-485 port.
RXA=RX- The status of these leads is monitored by the RX LED.
RXB=RX+ When the RXA lead is positive with respect to the RXB
lead (a “zero” is being received), the RX LED is lit.

28
 QUICK REFERENCE: User-Selectable Options

Quick Reference:
User-Selectable Options
Use this list as a quick-reference guide when you need to change the jumper
settings.

An asterisk (*) designates the factory-preset jumper settings.

XW1A DCE*
XW1B DTE

W8 A-B* 4-wire
B-C 2-wire

W15 A-B* RTS/CD enabled

B-C Data enabled (Maximum speed is 64K.)

W5 A-B* RTS/CTS delay (normal)

B-C RTS/CTS/CD delay (CTS inhibited if CD
is present when RTS is raised.)

W9 RTS/CTS delay (The time before the RS-485 driver is enabled and
CTS is asserted after RTS is asserted. The RS-485 driver is always enabled.)
A 30 msec
B 10 msec
C* 0 msec
D ON

W17 When W15 is in the B-C (data enabled) position, this is the time
the RS-485 driver remains enabled after a low-to-high transition on the
DATA line to prevent disabling the driver in the middle of a character.
A 70 msec
B* 7 msec
C 2 msec
D 0.7 msec
E 0.15 msec

NOTE
This only pertains to the unit when it is in data enable mode.

˚
29
 RS-232↔485/422 CONVERTERS

W16 Turnaround delay (When W8 is in the B-C [2 wire] position, this

is the time after the driver is disabled and before the receiver is
enabled.)
A 0 msec
B* 0.1 msec
C 1 msec
D 5 msec
E 35 msec

NOTES
1. W16’s delay setting (0, 0.1, 1, 5, or 35 msec) only pertains to the unit
in 2-wire mode (W8 set to B-C position).

2. If the converter is configured data enabled (W15, position B-C) and

2-wire (W8 position B-C), then delays from W17 and W16 are
cumulative.

S1 OUT* Normal
IN Loopback

S2 OFF* RS-485 Receiver Unterminated

ON RS-485 Receiver Terminated

S3 OFF* Line Bias Off

ON Line Bias On (The Carrier Detect light will come on.
Default is +5 volts.)

TB1 4-wire terminal block on unit

1 - - - - - - Rx - - - - - B+
2 - - - - - - Rx - - - - - A-
3 - - - - - - Tx - - - - - B+
4 - - - - - - Tx - - - - - A-

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