Nowadays with so many technological updates the serial ports or the PCMCIA slots are outdated. Meaning that the new options in computer hardware doesn’t contain them. Many users have relied and become dependent of this PCMCIA slots and serial ports. But when computers fail, these users require alternatives to be able to continue working with their old equipment. That´s where the use of USB cables gets into the scene.
Most all legacy A-B networks can be connected to with the use of usb cables.
But while USB to Serial cables are affordable, the USB cables that replace the legacy PCMCIA cards are just as expensive as the cable they replace.
So whether you need to communicate via RS-232, DH-485, DF1, DH+, DeviceNet, ControlNet, or to a legacy A-B PLC, VFD, or HMI, you should find a USB cable that can do just that.
Industrial USB Cables replace combinations of serial adapters and cables. Each cable allows you to directly connect to the USB port on your computer which helps simplify the set-up and installation of switches and/or devices.
Here are some examples:
USB TO DH PLUS (DH+)
1784-U2DHP
The U2DHP is a replacement for both the PCMK and PM05 / 06 cables (1784-PCMK, PCMC, PCM5, PCM6) as well as for the many iterations of the KT card (1784-KT, KTX, PKTX, PKTXD) when used in programming stations or PC’s.
It makes connecting to Data Highway Plus via USB possible, although it only has the 8-pin circular mini din connector found on the SLC-5/04 and New Platform PLC-5’s.
If you need to connect to a Classic PLC-5, or any Data Highway Plus product with a 9 Pin D Shell, you’ll need a separate adaptor to convert the 8 Pin Mini Din.
PN# C-ABDH-Adapter is an option.
ANC-120e: USB to Data Highway Plus, a lower cost alternative to the U2DHP
Much lower cost ANC-120e USB to Data Highway Plus cable. (https://automation-networks.com/automation-networks-anc-120e-2)
This is a third-party DH+ cable. It is an alternative to the Rockwell 1784-U2DHP. But, less expensive. The retail price is $3,037.00 and this alternative is $995.
USB TO SERIAL
9300-USBCBL-CP3
Provides a quick and easy connection directly to a controller’s 9 Pin D-Shell serial port via USB, supports RSLinx’s Auto-Configure feature, and eliminates the need for the 9300-USBS and 1747-CP3/1756-CP3 cable combination.
Comes in high visibility orange and includes “null modem adapter” for use with DCE devices like most PanelView terminals.
9300-USBCBL-PM02
Provides a quick and easy connection directly to a controller’s 8 Pin Mini-Din serial port via USB and supports RSLinx’s Auto-Configure feature.
Comes in high visibility orange and eliminates the need to use a 9300-USBS and 1761-CBL-PM02.
9300-USBCBL-CNSL
This cable is for directly connecting to a Cisco or Stratix switch from a USB port.
It essentially replaces the need to carry a Cisco Console cable and USB to Serial converter.
9300-USBS
Rockwell makes the 9300-USBS, which is currently at rev 3 (aka series C) and is fully tested with all A-B products and serial cables.
It’s also one of the few USB serial cables on the market which also supports RSLinx Classic’s “auto configure” option for finding the baud rate of the serial device connected.
USB TO DEVICENET (DNET)
1784-U2DN
The 1784-U2DN is a replacement for the 1784-PCD and 1770-KFD and allows for connecting to DeviceNet via USB.
Support for this hardware begins with RSLinx 2.51 and RSNetworx for DeviceNet version 8.
USB TO DH-485
1747-UICC13
If you need to connect to a SLC-500, SLC-5/01, or SLC-5/02, you’ve likely used the large and unwieldy 1747-PIC in the past.
The good news is its replacement is considerably smaller and supports DH-485 via RS-232 and RS-485.
Native support for 19.2K (9600 support can be added with a firmware patch from Rockwell found here).
Be careful not to plug in just any Ethernet patch cord to the RJ-45 – it’s a known issue that using an Ethernet cross over cable to connect from the 1747-UIC to a SLC-500 will permanently damage this cable.
The 1747-UICC13 contains the 1747-UIC and the properly wired 1747-C13 cable.