DIN Rail Mounting
RJ45 Connection
24Vdc Supply
Master & Slave Versions
Direct Ethernet Connection
RS232 and RS485

The Modbus/TCP Converter performs two functions. The first being a modbus converter from Ethernet to RS232/485, and the second being a Web Server for configuration and diagnostic purposes. 

The converter communicates using the standard Modbus/TCP protocol. This protocol is supported by many of the SCADA packages which are on the market. The result is a very simple and efficient way of connecting MOD-MUX devices to a PC or PLC on an Ethernet network. The converter supports 4 TCP sockets. This means that up to 4 devices can communicate with the MOD-MUX modules via the converter at any one time. 

An added advantage of using the converter, is that the Modbus RS485 network can be split into a number of smaller networks, each with a separate converter. This increases throughput dramatically as the single Ethernet network has a much higher bandwidth than the individual RS485 networks and overall data polling times are reduced accordingly. 

Each Modbus/TCP Converter has a unique Ethernet IP address which must be programmed into the PC or PLC. The IP address in the converter is configured via the Web Server. Any standard Web browser such as Internet Explorer can be used to access the web pages were configuration is carried out. The converters are factory programmed with a default IP address of 169.254.111.111. This address must be changed before the converter is added to an existing network. 

The web page address for viewing the setup parameters is http://169.254.111.111/index.htm The web page address for configuring the converter is http://169.254.111.111/ip.htm  

The master device which is polling the modules must be configured with the IP address of the converter and with the modbus ID of the MOD-MUX modules. As each RS485 network is separate, it is possible to have repeated MOD-MUX ID's on the RS485 networks. The IP address differentiates between the different RS485 networks. Consequently, many hundreds of MOD-MUX modules may be added to a Ethernet network. 

SPECIFICATIONS
Power Supply: 10 - 26 Vdc @    140 mA
Ethernet:          10BaseT - 10Mbits/s twisted pair
RS485:             2 Wire Multidrop twisted pair  -  Internal Jumper
RS232:             3 Wire , TX,RX,GND 
Baud Rate:       9600 and 19200, 8 Data Bits, No Parity, 1 Stop Bit 
Connector:       11 Pin Connector on rear of unit
                        RJ45 on front of module for 10Base-T Ethernet

WIRING

CONFIGURATION
The Web page address "169.254.111.111/ip.htm" is entered into the address line of the browser window to access the configuration page. This page allows you to change the IP address of the MOD-MUX TCP Module, select serial timeout, to setup the baud rate of the MOD-MUX TCP Module on the RS485 network, and to enter a Module Description Name for identification/maintenance purposes.  
 

IP Address: The new IP address can be entered into the web page as shown above. After this has been done, you must click the Submit button to send the values to the MOD-MUX TCP Module. The screen will now be updated and if successful will continue to display the new IP address. The new IP address will only be effective after the MOD-MUX TCP Module power has been switched off and on again. This feature allows you to check that the correct IP address has been entered before being activated. If the IP address has been entered incorrectly and the power has not been switched off, it is possible to re-enter the correct IP address. If the power has been switched off and back on again, the MOD-MUX TCP Module will not communicate until you enter the new IP address into the address line of the browser window.  
Baud Rate: The baud rate of the RS485 network can be configured by selecting a baud rate from the pull-down menu. Click on the Submit button to load this value into the MOD-MUX TCP Module.  
Serial Timeout: This timeout is the time the module waits for a reply from a slave device. If a reply is received then this timeout is cancelled and the converter looks for the next TCP message. If the slave does not send a reply, then this timeout will expire and allow the converter to look for the next TCP message. This timeout must be longer than the turn-around time of the slave device or it will timeout before the slave replies.  
Module Name: This field allows you to enter a module description name into the MOD-MUX TCP Module. This is an identifier for diagnostic/maintenance purposes and is chosen to best describe the MOD-MUX TCP Module in the system by name or number.