Serial Converters

Our industrial RS-232 to RS-422 and RS-485 converters are ideally suited for the industrial automation market and other “control panel” applications. Some offer triple isolation and hardened Class 1 Division 2 certification for use in hazardous locations and temperature extremes.

• IEEE-61850-3, IEEE-1613
• Single Mode, SC Fiber
• -40 to 85°C Operating Temperature
• Rugged, IP30 Metal Panel Mount Case
• 50G Shock, 4G Vibration
• 2kV Triple Isolation

The BB-FOSTCDRI-PH-SC series are premium heavy industrial serial to fiber optic converters. Designed for rugged industrial environments, they have been put through most exacting compliance testing in the industry. Meeting IEC 61850-3 and IEEE 1613 requirements, they are suitable for installation in electrical substations. These specifications are more stringent than NEMA TS1/TS2 requirements for transportation applications. Powerful isolation protects equipment and data from damaging ground loops and surges. Additional isolation on the power supply circuits adds a third degree of protection.

Packaged in a rugged IP30 metal case, these units convert serial signals to multi-mode or single-mode fiber optic. Bit-wise enabled circuitry automatically detects the data rate without setting a DIP switch.

In addition to direct point-to-point connectivity, operation in multi-drop mode is possible enabling serial devices to communicate with up to 31 others in a fiber ring. Supporting mixed standards, you can replace other converters and add EMI/RFI protection inherent to fiber optic communications.

• Data Rates up to 115.2 kbps
• 2.5 Mile (4 km) Range
• 10 to 30 VDC Input Voltage
• Wide Operating Temperature
• 2000V Isolation
• MODBUS ASCII/RTU Compatible
• EMI/RFI Protection

The BB-FOSTCDR is our Industrial Serial to Multimode Fiber Optic Converter. Designed for industry, it extends serial data range up to 2.5 miles and provides the most versatile connection possible between any asynchronous full or half-duplex serial equipment. In addition to direct point-to-point connectivity, it is capable operating in a multi-drop mode. This allows one serial device to communicate with up to 31 others around a fiber optic ring. Since it supports mixed serial standards, you can replace other converters and isolators and add the EMI/RFI immunity inherent to fiber optic communications.

In RS-232 mode, the BB-FOSTCDR supports transmit and receive data. Handshaking signals are not passed through.

An Automatic Send Data Control circuit controls the RS-422/485 driver chip, eliminating the requirement for special software.

Easy to install and configure, it has an 8 position DIP Switch to set up the RS-422/485 parameters and terminal blocks to connect serial signals and power.

• Isolated
• ESD Protection - 8 kV Contact, 15 kV Air
• Rugged Metal Case
• Wide Operating Temperature Models
• Panel Mount with Available DIN Rail Adapters
• Built in Switchable Bias & Termination

The SCP series RS-232 to RS-422/485 serial converters are compact and tough. Each model is designed and tested to meet heavy industrial EMC standards. The RS-232 signal is connected through a female DB9 connector. The RS-422/485 (2-Wire and 4-Wire) signal is connected through a removable terminal block, making wiring easy. Power is connected through a two position removable terminal block. Bit-wise enabled circuitry automatically detects the character time-out eliminating the need to set DIP switches for the baud rate. Model BB-SCP311T-DFTB3 offers 2 kV Isolation and will stand up to -40 to 80° C temperature variations. This is our most rugged model in this series. The BB-SCP311 is an excellent investment for protecting your expensive control equipment.

• IEEE-61850-3, IEEE-1613
• NEMA TS2
• -40 to 85°C Operating Temperature
• Rugged IP30 Metal Panel Mount Case
• 50G Shock, 4G Vibration
• 2kV Triple Isolation
• 10 to 48 VDC Input Power

Model BB-485DRCI-PH is our premium heavy industrial RS-232 to RS- 422/485 isolated converter. Designed for rugged industrial environments, it has been put through some of the most exacting compliance tests in the industry. Meeting the requirements of IEC 61850-3 and IEEE 1613, it is suitable for installation in electrical substations. These specifications are more stringent than the NEMA TS1/TS2 requirements for transportation applications. Powerful isolation on both data ports protects your equipment and data from damaging ground loops and surges. Additional isolation on the power supply circuits adds a third degree of protection.

Packaged in a rugged IP30 metal case, it converts unbalanced, full or half-duplex RS-232 signals to balanced RS-422/485 signals. Featuring Automatic Send Data Control circuitry, it does not require special software control of handshake signals in RS-485 mode.

• Extend data up to 1.2 km (4,000 ft.
• 2 kV optical isolation on input/output
• Wide operating temperature (-40 to +80 °C)
• Modbus compatible
• UL Recognized, NEMA TS2
• Automatic Send Data Control

The BB-485LDRC9 is an optically isolated RS-232 to RS-422/485 converter. RS-232 signals interface through a DB9 female connector or a terminal block. RS-422/485 signals and power inputs connect to the terminal block. Terminal blocks are arranged to allow easy wiring inside a control panel.

Built-in Automatic Send Data Control circuitry allows quick set-up and eliminates the need for external software drivers to control handshake signals. The converter operates on externally sourced 10-30 VDC power.

Optically isolated data lines (2,000 V on input/output) with 500W surge suppression ensure that connected equipment is protected even in the harshest environments. DIN rail mount design snaps on standard 35mm rail and a small form factor fits neatly into tight cabinets.

The BB-485LDRC9 is ideal for critical industrial communications, factory automation, in-cabinet conversion, warehouse automation, security, and many other applications.

• Data rates up to 115.2 kbps
• 10 – 48 VDC input power range
• Wide operating temperature
• 2,000V, 3-way optical isolation
• Modbus ASCII/RTU compatible
• EMI / RFI protection
• UL Class 1/Division 2
• TD, RD and Power LED's

Model FOSTCDRI is Advantech B B SmartWorx’ premium industrial serial to multi-mode fiber optic converter. Its rugged design is UL approved and certified for Class 1/Division 2 industrial environments. It extends data communications up to 4km (2.5 miles) . It provides three-way optical isolation on the input, output and power lines. In addition to direct point-to-point connectivity, it is capable of operating in a multi-drop mode. This allows one serial device to communicate with up to 31 other devices around a fiber ring. Since it supports mixed standards, you can replace other converters and isolators and add the EMI / RFI protection inherent to fiber optic communications. In RS-232 mode, the converter supports Transmit and Receive data. Handshaking signals are not passed through. An Automatic Send Data Control circuit controls the RS-422/485 driver chip, eliminating the requirement for external software. Easy to install and configure, it has a 12-position DIP switch on the bottom to configure RS-422/485 parameters. Serial data and power cables connect to removable terminal blocks. ST connectors are used for the fiber.

• Extend RS-232 data signals up to 1.2 km (4,000 ft.)
• Change RS-232 TD and RD to RS-485 signals
• Automatic Send Data Control - no software drivers necessary
• Baud rates up to 115.2 kbps
• Powered from RS-232 handshake lines - no power supply required, optionally powered by an external 12 VDC power supply

These port-powered, two channel converters allow your computer to communicate longer distances by converting TD and RD RS-232 lines to RS-485 signals. RS-485 also provides multi-drop capability.

All converters feature Automatic Send Data Control which enables the driver when data is present on the RS-232 side. Control of the driver is automatic at speeds up to 115.2 kbps.

Converters are powered by the RS-232 port DTR and RTS handshake lines. The unit is powered from the RS-232 data and handshake lines whether the lines are high or low. If the handshake lines are asserted (held High), and no termination is used, the port power efficiency is greatly increased.

Model 485SD9TB can be optionally powered by an external 12 VDC power supply.

• Extend RS-232 data signals up to 1.2 km (4,000 ft.)
• Change RS-232 TD and RD to RS-485 signals
• Automatic Send Data Control - no software drivers necessary
• Baud rates up to 115.2 kbps
• Powered from RS-232 handshake lines - no power supply required

These port-powered, two channel converters allow your computer to communicate longer distances by converting TD and RD RS-232 lines to RS-485 signals. RS-485 also provides multi-drop capability.

All converters feature Automatic Send Data Control which enables the driver when data is present on the RS-232 side. Control of the driver is automatic at speeds up to 115.2 kbps.

Converters are powered by the RS-232 port DTR and RTS handshake lines. The unit is powered from the RS-232 data and handshake lines whether the lines are high or low. If the handshake lines are asserted (held High), and no termination is used, the port power efficiency is greatly increased.

• Data rates up to 115.2 kbps
• Three-way 2,000V optical isolation (input, output, power)
• Wide operating temperature
• UL Class 1/Division 2
• Modbus ASCII/RTU compatible
• 10–48 VDC input power range

Model 485DRCi industrial-grade isolated serial converter changes RS-232 signals to RS-422 for increased range, or to RS-485 for increased range plus multi-drop capability.

Designed for rugged industrial use, the 485DRCi is UL approved and certified for operation in  Class 1/Division 2 environments and also offers 2,000V 3-way optical isolation on input, output, and power lines. In addition to optical isolation, the unit has surge suppression on the RS-422/485 lines. This DIN rail mountable converter optically isolates and converts unbalanced, full or half-duplex, RS-232 signals to balanced RS-422/485 signals at baud rates up to 115.2 kbps. Configuration is made via a 12-position DIP switch on the bottom of the converter.

Featuring Automatic Send Data Control circuitry, the converter does not require special software control of handshake signals in RS-485 mode. Removable terminal blocks for power and RS-422/485 signals make wiring easy. It is powered by a supply voltage of 10 to 48 VDC which is isolated from all data and signal ground lines.