Allen-Bradley 1747-PIC SLC 500 RS-232 to RS-485 Interface Converter

Description

The Allen-Bradley 1747-PIC is a dedicated interface converter module designed to facilitate communication between programming terminals and SLC 500 modular hardware systems. Specifically engineered to bridge RS-232 serial ports to the RS-485 DH-485 industrial network, this unit provides a reliable physical layer conversion for legacy automation architectures. It is primarily utilized for program uploading, downloading, and online monitoring of SLC 5/01, SLC 5/02, and SLC 5/03 processors.

This converter requires a direct hardware connection to native, built-in computer COM ports supporting standard UART protocols. It operates independently of complex operating system driver layers when paired with compatible 32-bit software environments, making it a foundational tool for legacy plant floor maintenance and commissioning.

Features

• Converts RS-232 signals to RS-485 DH-485 communication standards
• Compatible with Allen-Bradley SLC 5/01, SLC 5/02, and SLC 5/03 processors
• Integrated 11-inch ribbon cable for convenient physical connection to processor communication ports
• Low power consumption profile rated at a maximum of 2 watts
• Direct hardware-level pass-through eliminating complex protocol translation overhead

Applications

• Legacy Allen-Bradley SLC 500 system programming and configuration
• DH-485 network troubleshooting and node connection
• Plant floor maintenance utilizing older programming terminals with native serial ports

Technical Specifications

Connections / Interfaces

The 1747-PIC features a physical interface configuration tailored for legacy industrial computing standards:

• Computer Side: RS-232 connection requiring a native, physical serial port (COM port). Note that USB-to-serial adapters, PCMCIA serial cards, and PCI/PCIe serial expansion boards are not supported due to the low-level timing requirements of the DH-485 protocol.
• Processor Side: Integrated 11-inch ribbon cable terminating in an 8-pin mini-DIN connector designed to plug directly into the channel 0 communication port of SLC 500 fixed or modular processors.

Installation Guidelines

1. Ensure the host computer and the SLC 500 processor are powered off before making any physical connections to prevent electrical transient spikes.
2. Connect the RS-232 end of the converter directly to a native motherboard COM port on the programming terminal.
3. Plug the integrated 11-inch ribbon cable connector into the DH-485 communication port on the SLC 5/01, SLC 5/02, or SLC 5/03 processor.
4. Configure RSLinx Classic or legacy programming software to utilize the appropriate DF1/DH-485 driver mapping for the physical COM port in use.