FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Q: I just bought a new PC and discovered that it has a smaller PCI slot that the 1784-PKTx card doesn't support. Can you help me out?
A: DataLink can provide an external, palm-sized, USB DL3500 controller to solve that problem. Our products are: DL3500-DH+/DF1 and DL3500-DH-485/DF1.
Q:
How do I interface a legacy PLC5 / SLC
5/04 on DH+ to AB’s Ethernet/IP
or Ethernet TCP/IP?
A:Our
DL4500-EDH+ will allow RSlinx
& RSLogix to access DH+ via
Ethernet TCP/IP.
A:Our DL3500-DH+/IAP will allow RSlinx & RSLogix to access DH+ via AB’s Ethernet/IP.
Q:
Why would I go with your DL3500-DH+/IAP
(Ethernet/IP gateway to DH+) instead of upgrading all my AB Equipment
(ie. PLC5s) to Ethernet/IP?
A:
Cost. You only need one DL3500-DH+/IAP
per DH+. You don't have to upgrade each PLC5 processor on DH+
to a PLC5E . This can save significant money if you have a big DH+ Network.
This functionality allows RSLinx/RSLogix on Ethernet/IP have access to
all the nodes on your DH+.
Q:
How can I interface newer AB PLCs to DH+ (Data
Highway Plus)?
A:
Our DL3500- DH+ / DF1 will interface via Channel 0 Micrologix,
Compactlogix, Controllogix,
and SLC 5/05 to DH+.
Q:
Why would I buy a DataLink DL3500-DH+/DF1 instead of an Allen-Bradley
(AB) 1770-KF2?
A:
Some of the advantages of the DataLink
DL3500- DH+ / DF1 include:
Value:
33% less expensive than comparable Allen-Bradley products.
High Speed:
Communicate serially and over DH+ at speeds up to 230.4 Kbaud
Features:
the most compact, portable, light (2.2lbs) free-standing gateway available.
Q:
What
applications are DataLinks used in?
A:
DataLink
applications include PLC programming, MMIs, SCADA. DataLinks have also
been used in many modem applications for remote PLC programming. DataLink
products have been proven and tested with most popular industrial software
packages.
Q:
Will DataLink products work with Allen-Bradley
SLCs as well as PLC5s?
A:
Yes,
the DataLink is transparent to most DF1 commands and can communicate with
any device on DH+ including PCs, MMIs, PLC2s, PLC3s, PLC5s, SLC5/04s,
etc.
Q:
Can
a DataLink in Remote I/O mode control A-B RIO racks?
A:
The
DataLink is an adapter (slave) and looks like an I/O rack to a PLC scanner.
The DataLink is designed to allow a computer or MMI to communicate with
RIO, but not to control it.
Q:
I
have a unique application requiring connectivity to Allen-Bradley networks.
Do you support custom solutions?
A:
If
one of DataLink's existing products does not meet your needs, we will
work with you to design, develop, test, and support a new custom
solution. Our engineers have become experts at developing interface
solutions for many companies including Siemens and Toshiba. Call us to
discuss your application at no obligation.
Q:
Where
can I get an A-B DF1 protocol driver to interface to the DataLink?
A:
Most
commercial PLC programming and MMI software already have the necessary
DF1 driver included with the product, or available as an option. Please
contact DataLink for information.
Q:
Where
can I find technical details on A-B DF1 protocol?
A:
In
A-B Publication 1770-6.5.16 Data Highway / Data Highway Plus / DH485 Communication
Protocol and Command Set.
Q:
What type of cabling is required for your
products?
A:
All
products include a 3-pin Euro/Phoenix connector but the standard "Blue
Hose" is required to connect to DH+/RIO. DataLink can provide the
6 ft cables and adaptors that connect Datalink products to a 9 pin or
25 pin serial port (PC).
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