B&B Electronics Zlinx 485 User manual

Manual Documentation Number: Zlinx485m-1808
www.bb-elec.com
www.bb-europe.com
Z Zl li in nx x 4 48 85 5

Manual Documentation Number: Zlinx485m-1808
www.bb-elec.com
www.bb-europe.com
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B&B Electronics Mfg. Co. Inc.
707 Dayton Road
Ottawa, IL 61350 USA
Phone [phone] -- General Fax [phone]
Website: www.bb-elec.com
Sales e-mail: [email protected] -- Fax [phone]
Technical Support e-mail: [email protected] -- Fax [phone]
European Headquarters
B&B Electronics Ltd.
Westlink Commercial Park
Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
Phone [phone] -- Fax [phone]
Website: www.bb-europe.com
Sales e-mail: [email protected]
Technical Support e-mail: [email protected]
Revision – Original – April 2008
©2008 B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or any information
storage and retrieval system without written consent. Information in this manual is subject to change
without notice, and does not represent a commitment on the part B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc.
B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc shall not be liable for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the
furnishing, performance, or use of this manual.
All brand names used in this manual are the registered trademarks of their respective owners. The use of trademarks or other designations in this
publication is for reference purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the trademark holder.

Introduction
Manual Documentation Number: Zlinx485m-1808
www.bb-elec.com
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction................................................................................................2
About this Manual......................................................................................................2
Support .......................................................................................................................2
Zlinx Product Family..................................................................................................2
Features......................................................................................................................3
Package Checklist......................................................................................................3
Chapter 2: Hardware....................................................................................................3
Zlinx 485 Modules ......................................................................................................3
Indicators, Connectors and Accessories.................................................................6
I/O Options and Characteristics..............................................................................11
Zlinx 485 Modes of Operation .................................................................................18
Connecting the Hardware........................................................................................19
Chapter 3: Getting Started..........................................................................................21
Zlinx 485 Installation................................................................................................21
Computer System Requirements............................................................................21
Installing Zlinx 485 Software...................................................................................21
Connecting Zlinx 485 to a PC..................................................................................22
Starting Zlinx 485 Manager......................................................................................22
Chapter 4: Configuration & Operation......................................................................26
Configuring Zlinx 485...............................................................................................26
Peer-to-Peer Mode Settings ....................................................................................28
Updating Zlinx 485 Firmware ..................................................................................33
Chapter 5: Modbus Help............................................................................................35
Modbus ASCII/RTU Basics......................................................................................35
Hints and Tips ..........................................................................................................36
Appendix A: Product Specifications ........................................................................37
Appendix B: Dimensional Diagrams.........................................................................40
Appendix C: Serial Connections...............................................................................41
Appendix D: Modbus I/O Assignments ....................................................................44
Appendix E: Zlinx 485 Models and Features ...........................................................47
Appendix F: Zlinx 485 Troubleshooting....................................................................48
Appendix G: Terms and Definitions ..........................................................................49

Introduction
Manual Documentation Number: Zlinx485m-1808
www.bb-elec.com
www.bb-europe.com
C
Ch ha ap pt te er r 1 1: : I In nt tr ro od du uc ct ti io on n
Thank you for purchasing a Zlinx 485 product! This product has been manufactured
to the highest standards of quality and performance to ensure your complete satisfaction.
About this Manual
This manual has been created to assist you in installing, configuring and using your Zlinx
485 Base module. Please read it carefully and follow the instructions to achieve best
results.
Support
For additional information on this and other B&B products, and for technical support, call
815.433.5100 option 3, or access the B&B Electronics website at www.bb-elec.com.
Zlinx Product Family
Zlinx 485 Base modules provide easy-to-use, cost-effective peer-to-peer or Modbus
solutions.
Figure 1. A Zlinx ZZ-NX485 Module

Introduction
Manual Documentation Number: Zlinx485m-1808
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The Zlinx 485 family of products features a selection of operational modes,
communications modes, Modbus and I/O combinations. The system is scalable making it
easy to start with a few I/O points and build a system with the required I/O-Modbus mix.
Features
•Choice of number and type of digital and analog I/O
•Supports RS-232 and RS-422/485 lines
•Sourcing or sinking digital outputs available
•Configurable NPN (Sinking) and PNP (Sourcing) digital inputs
•Flexible and scalable by adding expansion modules
•MODBUS and Peer-to-Peer communications modes
•Small, economical and configurable
•Tolerates a wide operating temperature range
•Choice of a range of DC power sources
•Power, Data and Bus LED’s
•Removable screw terminal blocks for power supply and I/O-Modbus connections
•Zlinx 485 Manager configuration software
•DIN rail mountable
Package Checklist
Zlinx 485 Base modules are shipped with the following items included:
9Zlinx 485 Base module
9A printed version of the Zlinx 485 Quick Start guide
9CD-ROM disc with
-Zlinx 485 Manager configuration software
-Zlinx 485 Firmware Updater
-This manual in PDF format
-A quick start guide in PDF format
96 foot RJ45 male to serial (DB9 female) adapter cable
Expansion modules are shipped with the following items included:
9Zlinx 485 Expansion module
9A printed version of the Zlinx 485 Quick Start guide

Hardware
Manual Documentation Number: Zlinx485m-1808
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C
Ch ha ap pt te er r 2 2: : H Ha ar rd dw wa ar re e
Zlinx 485 encompasses a growing family of products including Modbus, Peer-to-Peer,
base modules, expansion modules, configuration software and accessories. All modules
are built into similar enclosures featuring male local bus plugs and female local bus
receptacles on the sides, which allow modules to connect together. Modules are DIN rail
mountable and feature removable screw terminal blocks.
Zlinx 485 Modules
Zlinx 485 systems consist of base modules and expansion modules. Expansion modules
are configured using a base module, which also has programming capabilities. The base
module is connected to a PC that is running the Zlinx 485 Manager software. Zlinx 485
systems can operate in Modbus or Peer-to-Peer modes. In Modbus mode a Zlinx 485
system exchanges Modbus messages with a Modbus capable base module. In Peer-to-
peer mode two Zlinx 485 systems are linked in a slave-master connection to provide
dependable, direct serial communications.
Figure 2. Front View of Zlinx 485 Base and Expansion Modules

Hardware
Manual Documentation Number: Zlinx485m-1808
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Base Modules
Each Zlinx 485 system is built around a base module. Base modules provide Modbus,
digital and/or analog I/O and communicate with other Zlinx nodes.
Figure 3. A Typical Base Module
Several different combinations of digital inputs (DI), digital outputs (DO), analog inputs
(AI) and analog outputs (AO) are available. For example, the ZZ-NA-485 Base module
features a combination of two AI’s, two AO’s, two DI’s and two DO’s in a package.
Expansion Modules
Up to six expansion modules can be plugged into the base module to add more I/O
capabilities in any combination needed. For example, the ZZ-8DO-T Expansion module
provides eight additional digital outputs; the ZZ-2AI2AO provides two analog inputs and
two analog outputs.
Refer to Appendix E for a list of Zlinx 485 models and features.
Expansion modules connect to base modules by plugging the modules together, engaging
the local bus connectors located on the sides of the boxes. Male plugs on expansion
modules plug into female connectors on the side of the base module or other expansion
modules, resulting in a horizontal “stack” with the base module on the left and expansion
modules extending to the right.

Hardware
Manual Documentation Number: Zlinx485m-1808
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Figure 4. Base and Expansion Modules Connected Together
Programming the Base Module using the RS232 connector
The base module has a programming feature that can be used to configure that base
module as well as expansion modules. The base module connects to the PC for
configuration. Connect a PC through the serial port (COM1 to 16) using the provided
RJ45 male to serial (DB9 female) cable.
Note: A standard RJ45 to serial (DB9) cable will not work, use only the one supplied
Figure 5. Connecting a PC and Base

Hardware
Manual Documentation Number: Zlinx485m-1808
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Indicators, Connectors and Accessories
LED Indicators
Zlinx 485 Base modules have three LED indicators: a Power LED, a Data LED and a
Local Bus Data LED.
Expansion modules have two LED’s: a Power LED and a Local Bus Data LED
Power LED
The Power LED illuminates (red) immediately on power up indicating that DC power is
present on the power supply terminals.
Data LED
The Data LED blinks (green) when data is being transmitted or received, either to an
expansion module or another base module. When the LED is off no data is being
transmitted or received.
Bus LED
The Bus LED blinks (green) when data is being transmitted or received on the local bus
connection. When the LED is off no data is being transmitted or received.
Note: If communications is not established within a preset number of retries (default is 10) the Data
and Bus LED’s blink alternately to indicate a loss of communications.
Connectors
Zlinx 485 Base and Expansion modules feature connectors for connecting field I/O
wiring and plugging together Zlinx 485 modules (local bus). In addition, Zlinx 485 Base
modules include connectors for connecting a power supply and an RJ45 connecter to
connect to the PC using the supplied RJ45 to serial cable.

Hardware
Manual Documentation Number: Zlinx485m-1808
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Figure 6. Power Supply Connector
The Power Supply connector (base modules only) is a two-position removable terminal
block located on the top of the unit. Terminal spacing is 3.5 mm. The terminal block
accepts solid and stranded wires from 28 AWG to 16 AWG. Please check polarity
marking in Figure 8.
Refer to the following section for information on Power Supply Requirements.
Expansion modules receive power from the base module via the local bus connector.
Local Bus Connectors
Local Bus connectors are included on all base and expansion modules. These connectors
are dual row, 14 pin (2 mm spacing) connectors. Base modules have only a female
connector. Expansion modules have male connectors on one side and female connectors
on the other. Modules are plugged together to supply power and facilitate communication
between modules.
When adding an Expansion module to a Base module the male connector on the expansion
module plugs into the female connector on the base module. The second expansion module plugs
into the first, and so on, up to a maximum of six expansion modules.