FEATURES
• Crystal-clear controller signal out to
4000 feet (1219.2 m).
• Opto-isolation available.
• Can be configured for two- or four-wire
and half- or full-duplex operation.
• Connect to your RS-485 network via
RJ-45 modular connectors or screw-block
terminals.
OVERVIEW
BLACK BOX®RS-485 Repeaters extend your RS-485
communications beyond the 4000-foot limit. Even located
5000 feet from your master device, they’ll take your RS-485
communications signals and shoot them another 4000 feet.
Great for connecting multiple RS-485 segments in different
buildings or rooms, the repeaters enable you to add more
devices to your network—up to 32 more units per repeater.
They support either 2- or 4-wire applications, in full- or
half-duplex operation. Plus, the RS-485 Repeaters come with
a 4-screw terminal block, RJ-45 connectors, and an edge card
connector, so they fit right in with any RS-485 wiring scheme.
To protect your lines from ground loops and other electrical
problems, order the RS-485 Repeater with Opto-Isolation
(IC158A). Ideal for industrial applications, it isolates one
segment of your extended network from problems that
may arise on another segment.
Inside the opto-isolated repeater, optical isolation circuitry
converts electrical signals to light and back again to keep
signal noise and ground loops from crossing between
segments of your RS-485 installation. Electrical noise from
your factory floor won’t affect office communications, and
the difference in ground potential between buildings won’t
damage your sensitive equipment.
Simple to install and configure.
Just set internal jumpers and switches to match the cabling
and duplex operation of your application as well as to match
repeater ports for terminated and unterminated operation.
Then, connect your devices to the repeater itself, power it up,
and power up the rest of your RS-485 network.
In half-duplex mode, jumpers determine the turnaround
delay for the receiving repeater. Through these jumpers, you
can configure the delay to match the length of cables and
the number of device drops in your application.
The greater the length of your RS-485 line or the larger the
number of drops on the your network, the longer the line will
remain charged after the transmitter has been disabled.
The RS-485 Repeaters use three different types of delays:
a turn-around delay, a turn-ON delay, and a turn-OFF delay.
The turn-ON delay prevents the repeaters from passing along
noise. It does this by delaying the transmitter long enough to
allow most noise to dissipate before transmitting. With turn-
OFF delay, the repeaters‘ transmitter is enabled long enough
for the input data to propagate though the repeater after
the sending device drops a signal.
Both repeater models have three LEDs visible through their
front panel that indicate power, carrier detect, and when a
transmitter is enabled on the RS-485 line.
NOTE: The repeaters do not feature collision detection or
hardware flow control.
TECH SPECS
Flow Control — Transparent
Leads Supported — Both ports: TDA, TDB, RDA, RDB
Operation — Half- or full-duplex
Speed — Transparent up to 128 kbps
CE Approval — Yes
Connectors — (2) 4-wire terminal blocks, (2) RJ-45
Indicators — Power, Carrier Detect (both ports)
Operating Environment — Temperature
: 32 to 110ºF (0 to 45ºC)
Humidity: 0 to 95%, n
oncondensing
Power — 115 VAC, 60 Hz (230-VAC, 50-Hz version on request)
Size — 1.8"H x 5.5"W x 8.5"D (4.6 x 14 x 21.6 cm)
Item Code
RS-485 Repeater IC155A
RS-485 Repeater with Opto-Isolation IC158A
