BLACK BOX RS-232 Current Loop Interface Converter 232/CL-E User Manual

: June 6, 2024
: BLACK BOX

BLACK BOX RS-232 Current Loop Interface Converter 232/CL-E

FCC STATEMENT

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
AND
CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS 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 J 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 the Canadian Department of Communications.

TRADEMARKS

All applied-for and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Specifications

Connectors| RS-232/CCITT V.24: DB25 (female)
Current Loop: 4 screw terminals
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Indicators| (2) LEDs indicating RS-232 port activity:
RX for Receive Data from an RS-232 external device
TX for Transmit Data to an RS-232 external device
Switches| 10-position DIP switch for current-loop transmission mode
10-position DIP switch for RS-232 DTE or DCE configuration
4-position DIP switch for electrical current in the current loop
Maximum Transmission
Distance| (based on using 24-AWG solid copper wire):
at 9600 bps: 300 to 400 meters (984 to 1,312 feet)
at 300 bps: 1000 to 3000 meters (3,281 to 9,843 feet)
Power| Input — 115/220 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz, 12W
Output — 18 VAC, center tapped, 8VA
Size| 1.75″H x 5.5″W x 8.5″D (4.4 x 14 x 21.6 cm)
Weight| 1.5 lb. (0.7 kg)

CAUTION
Make sure you have the right power supply for your local power. If not, call Technical Support to get a replacement power supply.

Introduction

The RS-232 Current Loop Interface Converter (CL050) is a bidirectional self- contained unit that enables the interconnection of a digital 20/30/60mA unipolar current-loop interface with an RS-232 interface. The CL050 cannot be used with an analog current loop (4 to 20 mA) or bipolar current loop.
Current loop was designed to transfer data in a noisy environ-ment with as much integrity as possible. The maximum distance that the CL050 can be placed from other devices on the current loop (see Chapter 1 ) is based on using 24 AWG under ideal conditions, with the CL050 designated as the active device in a point-to-point configuration.
The CL050 can act as either an active or passive device on the current loop. As an active device, the CL050 supplies 20, 30, or 60 ma loop current at 18 VDC for operation. As a passive device, the CL050 will not supply loop current, but it will operate with 20, 30, or 60 ma unipolar current at up to 30 VDC.
WARNING!
Only one device on the current loop may be active. If more than one device is active, each of the devices will be permanently damaged.
Refer to Sections 4.1 and 4.2 for instructions on testing the current loop and connecting it to the CL050.
Switch selections allow for half-duplex or full-duplex operation; 20, 30, or 60 mA loop current; and configuring the CL050 as either DTE or DCE.
Two LEDs monitor data flow.
If you ordered the CL050A-R2, you should have received cables with it.
A 220-volt power supply (CL050E) is also available.

Installation

Remove the screw located at the center of the bottom cover.
Remove the top cover.
Lift the back panel from its guide.
Insert the power supply receptacle into the 4-prong plug (See Figure 7-1 on page 16. The 4-prong plug is near W1). The receptacle should be aligned so that the lip is on the upward side. DO NOT PLUG THE POWER SUPPLY INTO AN AC OUTLET!
Test your current loop for active devices. See Section 4.1 on page 11.
Connect your current loop to the CL050. See Section 4.2 on page 12.
Insert the back panel into its guide, making sure the powersupply cable and current-loop cable exit through the holes provided for them.
Set switches SWA, SWB and SWC to the desired positions. The CL050 is shipped with SWA set to Full-Duplex, Passive; SWB set to 20mA receive; 20mA transmit; and SWC set to DTE. See Sections 4.3, 4.4, and 5.2, respectively, on pages 11 and 13 for more information on these switches.
Replace the top cover.
Replace the screw.
Attach your RS-232C cable.
Plug the power supply into an AC outlet. The CL050 is now ready for operation.

The Current-Loop Interface

Testing for Other Active Devices on the Current Loop

You must test for an active device on the current loop if you plan to have the CL050 supply loop current.

WARNING!
Only one device on the current loop may be active.
If more than one device is active at the same time, each device will be permanently damaged.

There are two tests that you can run.
Either is sufficient.

LED TEST

Unplug the CL050 from the AC outlet.
Set the SWA switch to full duplex, passive.
Attach the T- of the 4-wire current loop device (or “-” in a 2-wire current loop) to R- of the CL050A.
Attach the T+ of the 4-wire current loop device (or “+” in a 2-wire current loop) to R+ of the CL050A. See Figure 4-1 (4-wire current loop) or Figure 4-2 (2-wire current loop).
Plug the CL050 into the AC outlet.
| Terminals
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1 (T+)| 2 (T-)| 3 (R+)| 4 (R-)
4-Wire Full-Duplex| + Receive| – Receive| + Transmit| – Transmit
2-Wire Half-Duplex Passive| + Loop| Jumper to 3 (R+)| Jumper to 2 (T-)| – Loop
2-Wire Half-Duplex Active| No Connection| + Loop| – Loop| No Connection

Table 1. Current Loop Cable Connections.

Test results:
(a) If the TX LED on the CL050 is off, the other device is active.
(b) If the TX LED on the CL050 lights continuously, there is no current in the loop. Therefore, the other current-loop device is passive.
(c) If the TX LED flashes, the current loop is sending data. This indicates that the other device is active.
Unplug the CL050 from the AC outlet and remove the R- to R- and R+ to R+ wires.

VOLTMETER TEST

Attach the voltmeter to the two Transmit lines (T+ and T-) of a current loop device (not the CL050). If the voltmeter reads voltage, the device is active. If no voltage registers, the device is passive.

Connecting the Current Loop Wires to the CL050A

When you attach current loop wires to the CL050, the unit should not be connected to an AC outlet. Unless very fine stranded-wire cable is used, wire tinning is not required. Just insert the wire into the receptacle and tighten the screw. The wire will be firmly gripped by the terminal. Table 1 details how the current loop should be connected to the CL050. Refer also to Figures 4-3 through 4-7 on pages 8, 9, and 10.

4-WIRE CURRENT LOOP
Regardless of whether the CL050 is active or passive, attach the current loop wires as indicated in Table 1 and as shown in Figures 4-3 or 4-4.

2-WIRE CURRENT LOOP
Connections to a 2-wire half-duplex multipoint current loop depend on whether the CL050 is used as an active or passive unit. Note the connections in Table

The connections are also shown in Figures 4-5, 4-6, and 4-7.
Note: Not all 2-wire current loops are bidirectional half-duplex. Some current loops are simplex.

Switch SWA

Switch SWA controls the Current Loop Configuration. The CL050 is shipped with the SWA in a “Full-Duplex, Passive” configuration.

Switch SWB

Switch SWB controls loop current (20/30/60 mA). The CL050 is shipped with the SWB in a “20mA receive; 20mA transmit” configuration.

The RS-232C Interface

The RS-232C Interface Pinout

Switch SWC

Switch SWC controls the RS-232 Connector Configuration (DCE/DTE).
Note: “OPEN” indicates Off and “CLOSED” indicates On.

DCE
The CL050 default configuration is DCE. The 10-position DIP switch is set as
follows:

SW1 Not Used
SW2 OPEN = SW2 and SW3 are ALWAYS in opposite positions
SW3 CLOSED = With SW2 OPEN, Data Out is on Pin 3
SW4 OPEN = SW4 and SW5 are ALWAYS in opposite positions
SW5 CLOSED = With SW4 OPEN, Data In is on Pin 2
SW6 OPEN = Pin 4 (RTS) not connected
SW7 CLOSED = Ties Pin 5 (CTS) to Pin 20 (DTR)
SW8 OPEN = Removes High on Pin 20 (DTR). If system does not use DTR, raise CTS by CLOSING both SW7 and SW8
SW9 CLOSED = Place High on Pin 6 (DSR)
SW10 Not Used

DTE
When configuring the CL050 as a DTE, the 10-position DIP switch is set as follows:

SW1 Not Used
SW2 CLOSED = With SW3 OPEN, Data Out is on Pin 2
SW3 OPEN = SW2 and SW3 are ALWAYS in opposite positions
SW4 CLOSED = With SW5 OPEN, Data In is on Pin 3
SW5 OPEN = SW4 and SW5 are ALWAYS in opposite positions
SW6 CLOSED = Place High on Pin 4 (RTS)
SW7 OPEN = Pin 5 (CTS) not connected
SW8 CLOSED = Place High on Pin 20 (DTR)
SW9 OPEN = Pin 6 (DSR) not connected
SW10 Not Used

Operations and Troubleshooting

Indicators

TX LED
On Continuously: Indicates
(1) receive current loop not attached; (2) no current flowing; or (3) you have an open loop.
Check the polarity of the receive loop and/or the active/passive options.
Off: The CL050 is not connected to an AC outlet or loop current is flowing continuously (which is normal in an idle state).
Flashing: Data is being transmitted from the RS-232 port to the RS232C interface.

RX LED
On Continuously: Error. Call Technical Support.
Off: No data being received by the RS232 port.
Flashing: Data is being received by the RS-232 port from the RS-232C interface.

6.2 Self Test

Follow these instructions to test the internal circuitry of the CL050:

Unplug the CL050 from AC outlet.
Set switch SWA to full-duplex, transmit active, receive passive.
Set switch SWC to DCE configuration.
Attach a DTE device using a straight-pinned cable from the DTE to the CL050.
On the CL050, connect a wire from T- to R-.
On the CL050, connect a wire from T+ to R+.
Plug the CL050 into an AC outlet.
Set the DTE device to full-duplex.
Enter data.
The TX and RX LEDs should flash and the data should display on the DTE’s monitor. If this occurs, all internal circuitry is operational.

Current Loop Rack and Cards

Description

The RM005 Rack can hold up to 16 CL050C printed circuit cards and fits in a standard 19-inch equipment rack. The RM005 comes complete with its own built- in AC power supply. The operation of the CL050C is the same as the CL050.

WARNING!
Do not apply primary power until after you have properly configured the RM005 power supply.

For 115 VAC ±15% primary power: Set 115/230 voltage selector switch to 115 and make sure the input fuse is rated at 1 A.
For 230 VAC ±15% primary power: The voltage selector switch must be set to 230 and the fuse must be rated 0.5 A.
Inside the fuseholder are two fuses. Open the fuseholder by pressing down on the cover, then release. The fuse closest to the cover is a spare. Select the correct fuses and place them in the Fuse Retaining Cover. Discard the incorrect fuses.

Specifications for RM005

Power	115/230 VAC, 60/50 Hz, switch-selectable
Rack Size	Overall Width
Inside Width	17″ (43.2 cm)
Depth	10.5″ (26.7 cm)
Height	5.25″ (13.3 cm)
PC Card Size	Length
Width	3.6″ (9.1 cm)
Rack Weight	19.6 lb. (8.9 kg) (without cards installed)
PC Card Weight	4.5 ounces (128 g)
Rack Switches	On/Off Power Switch 115/230 VAC Selector Switch
Rack Indicators	None

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 •724-746-5500 • Fax 724-746-0746

Documents / Resources

| BLACK BOX RS-232 Current Loop Interface Converter 232/CL-E [pdf] User Manual
L050A, CL050A-R2, CL050C, CL050AE, RM005, RS-232 Current Loop Interface Converter 232 CL-E, RS-232, Current Loop Interface Converter 232 CL-E
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