MOXA TCF-142 Series Serial-To-Fiber Converters Installation Guide

: June 6, 2024
: MOXA

Table of Contents

MOXA TCF-142 Series Serial-To-Fiber Converters
Introduction
ATTENTION
Features
Package Checklist
Dimensions and Appearance
Wiring Examples
Switch Settings
LED Description
Specifications
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

MOXA TCF-142 Series Serial-To-Fiber Converters

Introduction

TCF-142 series converters are equipped with a multiple interface circuit that can handle RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 serial interfaces, as well as multi-mode or single-mode fiber. TCF-142 converters are used to extend serial transmission distance up to 5 km (TCF-142-M, with multi-mode fiber) or up to 40 km (TCF-142-S, with single-mode fiber). The TCF-142 must be configured to transmit a particular serial interface. You cannot transmit both RS-232 and RS-485 signals at the same time.
Why Convert Serial to Fiber?
Fiber communication not only extends the communication distance, but also provides many advantageous features.
IMMUNITY FROM ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE: Fiber is not affected by electromagnetic interference or radio frequency interference. It provides a clean communication path and is immune to cross-talk.
INSULATION: Optical fiber is an insulator; the glass fiber eliminates the need for using electric currents as the communication medium.
SECURITY: Fiber cannot be tapped by conventional electric means and is very difficult to tap into optically.
RELIABILITY & MAINTENANCE: Fiber is immune to adverse temperature and moisture conditions, does not corrode or lose its signal, and is not affected by short circuits, power surges, or static electricity.
Reverse Power Protection
The Reverse Power Protection feature provides extra protection against accidentally connecting the power cables to the wrong terminal. The converter automatically detects which power wire is positive and which is negative.

Ring Mode To allow one half-duplex serial device to communicate with multiple half-duplex devices connected to a fiber ring, you should configure the TCF-142 for “ring mode” by setting DIP switch “SW4” to the “On” position. The Tx port of a particular TCF-142 unit connects to the neighboring converter’s Rx port on the ring. Note that when one node transmits a signal, the signal travels around the ring until it returns back to the transmitting unit, which then blocks the signal. Users should ensure that the total fiber ring length is less than 100 km when using either single-mode models (TCF-142-S) or multi-mode models (TCF-142-M).

ATTENTION

For Fiber Ring Users:
To avoid problems when setting up a fiber ring, each TCF-142 unit making up the ring must be powered down and set to “Ring mode.” Next, make sure all cables are connected properly, and then power up all devices connected to the ring.

NOTE “Ring Mode” can only be used with half-duplex applications (i.e., RS-485 multi-drop communication).

DIP Switch Selectable Terminator
The TCF-142’s termination resistor is set with a DIP switch located on the outside of the converter’s casing.
No Configuration Required for Baudrate Settings
The TCF-142 is compatible with any baudrate from 50 bps to 921.6 kbps. The TCF-142 automatically converts the signal back and forth between serial (RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485) and fiber, and does not need to interpret the signal or the baudrate of the transmitting device. For this reason, the TCF-142 does not have any DIP switches or jumpers for setting the baudrate.

Features

“Ring” or “Point to Point” transmission
Extend RS-232/422/485 transmission distance:
- up to 40 km with single-mode—TCF-142-S Series
- up to 5 km with multi-mode—TCF-142-M Series
Compact size
Decrease signal interference
Protect against electronic degradation and chemical corrosion
Supports baudrates up to 921.6 kbps
Extended operating temperature from -40 to 75°C (for “T” models)

Package Checklist

Before installing the TCF-142, verify that the package contains the following items:

1 TCF-142 media converter
Power jack to 3-pin terminal block adaptor
Stick-on pads
Quick installation guide (printed)
Warranty card

NOTE: Please notify your sales representative if any of the above items are missing or damaged.

Dimensions and Appearance

TCF-142 fiber converters are easy to set up and use. The serial terminal block of one of the converters connects to your computer, the serial terminal block of the other converter connects to your serial device, and the two converters are connected by fiber cable(s).

NOTE Electrostatic Discharge Warning!

To protect the product from damage due to electrostatic discharge, we recommend wearing a grounding device when handling your TCF-142.

TCF-142-M/S-ST

TCF-142-M/S-SC

Wiring Examples

Connecting the Power Supply
Before using the TCF-142, first connect the DC power supply to the power supply terminal block located on the TCF-142’s bottom panel.

Connecting RS-422 and 4-wire RS-485 Serial Devices

Connecting 2-wire RS-485 Serial Devices

Connecting an RS-232 Serial Device to a PC

Switch Settings

Serial

Connection

| SW1| SW2
---|---|---
RS-232| ON| OFF
RS-422| ON| ON
RS-485 4-wire| OFF| OFF
RS-485 2-wire| OFF| ON
Built-in 120 Ω

Terminator

| SW3| SW4
---|---|---
Enable| ON| –
Disable| OFF| –
Ring mode| –| ON
Point to Point mode| –| OFF

NOTE This switch setting is used for product revision 3.2 or later; for previous revisions, refer to the label on the product’s rear panel for the correct information. The S1 DIP Switch is located inside the TCF-142. When the TCF-142 is in RS-485 mode, use this DIP switch to configure RS-485 data direction control, data format, and baudrate. When the TCF-142 is in RS-232/422 mode, the S1 DIP switch cannot affect RS-232/422 communication. MOXA-TCF-142-Series-Serial-To-Fiber-Converters-fig9

RS-485 Data Direction Control Settings

RS-485 Data Direction Control	S1 Pin 1
Auto Baudrate	OFF
Fixed Baudrate	ON

Data Format Settings

Data Format	S1 Pin 2	S1 Pin 3	S1 Pin 4
7 Bits	OFF	ON	ON
8 Bits	ON	OFF	ON
9 Bits	OFF	OFF	ON
10 Bits	ON	ON	OFF
11 Bits	OFF	ON	OFF
12 Bits	ON	OFF	OFF

Baudrate Settings

Baudrate| S1 Pin 5| S1 Pin 6| S1 Pin 7| S1 Pin 8| S1 Pin 9
---|---|---|---|---|---
50| OFF| ON| ON| ON| ON
75| ON| OFF| ON| ON| ON
110| OFF| OFF| ON| ON| ON
134.5| ON| ON| OFF| ON| ON
150| OFF| ON| OFF| ON| ON
300| ON| OFF| OFF| ON| ON
600| OFF| OFF| OFF| ON| ON
1200| ON| ON| ON| OFF| ON
1800| OFF| ON| ON| OFF| ON
2400| ON| OFF| ON| OFF| ON
4800| OFF| OFF| ON| OFF| ON
7200| ON| ON| OFF| OFF| ON
9600| OFF| ON| OFF| OFF| ON
19200| ON| OFF| OFF| OFF| ON
38400| OFF| OFF| OFF| OFF| ON
Baudrate| S1 Pin 5| S1 Pin 6| S1 Pin 7| S1 Pin 8| S1 Pin 9
---|---|---|---|---|---
57600| ON| ON| ON| ON| OFF
115200| OFF| ON| ON| ON| OFF
230400| ON| OFF| ON| ON| OFF
460800| OFF| OFF| ON| ON| OFF
921600| ON| ON| OFF| ON| OFF

The S2 DIP switch is located inside the TCF-142. This switch is used to configure the pull high/low resistors. Note that S2 Pin 1 and Pin 2 must both be configured to ON or both must be configured to OFF.

Pull High/Low Resistor	S2 Pin 1*	S2 Pin 2*
150K	OFF	OFF
1K (default)	ON	ON

NOTE We recommend setting S2 Pin 1 and Pin 2 to the 1K option (ON/ON) when termination is enabled.

LED Description

There are 3 LEDs on the front panel of the TCF-142.

LED	Color	Function
PWR	Red	Steady ON: Power is ON
Fiber Tx	Green	Blinking when fiber is transmitting data
Fiber Rx	Orange	Blinking when fiber is receiving data

Specifications

Model Names| TCF-142-M-ST TCF-142-M-ST-T

TCF-142-M-SC TCF-142-M-SC-T

TCF-142-S-ST TCF-142-S-ST-T

TCF-142-S-SC TCF-142-S-SC-T

---|---
Serial Communication
Signals for RS-232| TxD, RxD, SGND
Signals for RS-422| TxD+, TxD-, RxD+, RxD-, SGND
Signals for 4-wire RS-485| TxD+, TxD-, RxD+, RxD-, SGND
Signals for 2-wire RS-485| Data+, Data-, SGND
Baudrate| 50 bps to 921.6 kbps
Surge protection| 15 kV ESD
Fiber Communication
Connector type| ST or SC
Distance| TCF-142-S series:

Single mode fiber for 40 km TCF-142-M series:

Multi mode fiber for 5 km

Cable Specifications| TCF-142-S series:

8.3/125, 8.7/125, 9/125 or 10/125 μm

TCF-142-M series:

50/125, 62.5/125, or 100/140 μm

Wavelength| TCF-142-S series: 1310 nm

TCF-142-M series: 850 nm

TX Output| TCF-142-S series: > -5 dBm TCF-142-M series: > -5 dBm
RX Sensitivity| TCF-142-S series: -25 dBm

TCF-142-M series: -20 dBm

---|---
Point-to-Point Transmission| Half or Full duplex
Ring Transmission| Half duplex
Environmental Limits
Operating Temperature| 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F), 5 to 95 % RH
Extended Operating

Temperature (T models)

| -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F)
Storage Temperature| -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F), 5 to 95 % RH
Power
Input Power Voltage| 12 to 48 VDC
Power Line Protection| 1 kV Burst (EFT), EN61000-4-4

1 kV Surge, EN61000-4-5

Reverse Power Protection| Protects against V+/V- reversal
Over Current Protection| Protects against 2 signals shorted together:

1.1A

Power Consumption| 140 mA at 12 VDC

67.7 mA at 24 VDC

28.7 mA at 48 VDC

Physical Characteristics
Dimensions| 67 x 100 x 22 mm

90 x 100 x 22 mm (including ears)

Class B

EMS| EN61000-4-2 (ESD), Criteria B, Level 2 EN61000-4-3 (RS), Criteria B, Level 2 EN61000-4-4 (EFT), Criteria B, Level 2 EN61000-4-5 (Surge), Criteria B, Level 2

EN61000-4-6 (CS), Criteria B, Level 2