ANC-100e: Data Highway Plus (DH+) to Ethernet Converter

The ANC-100e: Allen-Bradley Data Highway Plus (DH+) to Ethernet Converter can easily connect your Kepserver on Ethernet to communicate with all nodes on your Allen-Bradley DH+ Network, including multiple PLC-5s and SLC 5/04s.

Important Note: You don’t require Rslogix500 for the ANC-100e to work with Kepserver. There is no limitation from the Ethernet side on the number of nodes connected and the number of PLC-5s and SLC 5/04 nodes on DH+. Communications may slow depending on the amount of communications required. All message instructions (read/write) must come from the Ethernet side and be sent to the DH+ nodes.

Here is a quick step-by-step list of setup details. For a complete guide with KEPServerEX screenshots for easier understanding, download the full application note PDF here.

Pre-Requisites:

• ANC-120e Driver is installed (Only applicable if using the ANC-120e USB to DH+ programming cable).
• Network adapter is correctly configured to access the ANC-120e or ANC-100e.
• The converter is properly connected to the computer/Ethernet network and to the DH+ network.

Configuration Steps:

1. Open KEPServerEX.
2. Right-click on the empty space on the left side of the window to create a new channel.
3. Name the new channel as you prefer (e.g., Channel2) and click Next.
4. From the “Device driver” dropdown list, select Allen-Bradley ControlLogix Ethernet and click Next.
5. From the “Network Adapter:” dropdown list, select your network adapter and click Next.
6. Use the default settings for “Write Optimizations” and “Non-Normalized Float Handling”, clicking Next on each screen.
7. Review the “Summary” and click Finish.
8. Click on the new Channel to select it, and then click on Click to add a device.
9. Under “Device Name”, enter a meaningful name for you and click Next.
10. From the “Device Model:” dropdown list, select DH+ Gateway: SLC 5/04 and click Next.
11. Under “Device ID”, enter the following path: <IP Adapter>, 1, 1. A. <Target_DH+_Node_number> (Please notice the commas “,” and periods “.” in the path). Click Next.
12. Use default values for “Scan Mode”, “Timing”, “Auto-Demotion”, “Database Creation”, “ENI DF1/DH+/CN Gtwy Communications Parameters”, and “SLC Slot Configuration”, clicking Next after each.
13. Read the “Summary” and click Finish.
14. Click on the recently created device under your channel to select it, and then click on Click to add a static tag.
15. Enter a meaningful name for the tag in the “Name:” field, and a known address of your PLC in the “Address:” field (e.g., N7:0).
16. Select the corresponding “Data type:” from the dropdown list and click OK.

Testing the Connection:

• Use Tools -> OPC Quick Client.
• Find your tag in the list of items and confirm that you get the correct value (e.g., if N7:0 is known to hold the value 1616, verify this appears).

The ANC-100e offers many of the same Ethernet to DH+ features as the Prosoft AN-X2-AB-DHRIO (excluding AB RIO functionality), but with significant advantages in price, ease of use, and footprint.

Key Advantages of the ANC-100e:

• Price: The ANC-100e list price is $1,195 USD, whereas the Prosoft model is almost double the cost.
• Easy Setup: Much easier to configure via a simple Web Interface.
• Smart Detection: Features DH+ Auto Polarity Detection and DH+ Auto Baud Rate Detection.
• Design: Pocket-sized convenience combined with a high-performance, Industrial-Rated build.

Shared Published Features (Both offer):

• Acts as a bridge between an EtherNet/IP and a Data Highway Plus network.
• Programming terminals and/or processors on an EtherNet/IP network can access legacy processors on a DH+ network.
• Download to a PLC-5 or SLC through RSLinx.
• Configuration through a web browser.
• Supports all DH+ baud rates (57.6, 115.2, and 230.4 K baud).
• Support for DH+ to EtherNet/IP PanelViews upgrades on PLC-5 or SLC networks.

Warranty & Availability

All Automation Networks ANC Converters offer a 30-day trial, no restocking charge, and a Lifetime Warranty. The ANC-100e is readily available in large volumes for overnight shipping.

Watch the 20-Min Setup Video Review