Press Release
March 18, 2004 For Immediate Release

Forget the 50 Foot Limitation of Standard PC Cabling!
B&B Electronics has Serial Converters for Almost Any Application

Ottawa, IL – Changing RS-232 to another serial protocol such as RS-422 or RS-485 can give you increased range, up to 4,000 feet, and allow you to set up a serial network with 32 or more nodes. A popular converter for this purpose is Model 485LDRC9. This is a DIN Rail mount converter with built-in isolation to protect data lines from ground loops and data line power surges. It is Modbus compatible and operates at a wide range of temperatures, -40 to +80°C (-40 to 176°F). Automatic Send Data Control enables the RS-485 driver, so no software rework is required. SDC monitors the data line and automatically enables the driver during transmission and disables it when no data is present. Model 485LDRC9 is about $140.

When a serial network needs to extend beyond 4,000 feet or needs to service more than 32 connected devices, that’s a job for one of B&B Electronics’ Model 485OPDR Signal Repeater/Optical Isolator. This is another DIN Rail mounted component that boosts serial signals to communicate with up to 31 more nodes. It has an optical isolator to protect your connected devices from ground loops and transient spikes on the data lines. It can also be used to convert RS-422 to RS-485 in certain conditions. It is Modbus compatible and operates at a wide range of temperatures, -40 to +80°C (-40 to 176°F). The Model 485OPDR is about $155.

Everything old is new again! That classic song theme could apply to Current Loop data transmission. Current Loop is one of the oldest data communication protocols, dating back to the telegraph operator clicking out his dots and dashes. It uses current, or the lack of current, to transmit binary digits. After years of decline, Current Loop has been rediscovered and valued for its ability to drive through marginal wire connections, its immunity to RFI/EMI interference and its extended range. To use Current Loop with contemporary PCs, B&B Electronics offers several types of RS-232 to Current Loop converters. All have optical isolation to keep ground loops and current spikes at bay. A popular model is 232CLDR. This is a DIN Rail mount unit with terminal block connections for both the RS-232 and Current Loop sides. Model 232CLDR is about $150.

You can change the RS-232 protocol of most PCs to many other protocols to achieve different goals. These are just three of the over 80 flavors of serial data communications converters that are offered in B&B Electronics’ current catalog. Packaging, connectors and special features account for most of the variety.

For further information on B&B Electronics serial converters, call 815-433-5100 or visit www.bb-elec.com.

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