Black Box SW980A User manual

CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX
FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
MARCH 2000
SW980A SW980AE
SW981A SW981AE
SW982A SW982AE
Local/Remote Electronic Switches
2 TO 1
LOCAL / REMOTE
SWITCH
PWR
REMOTE
A B
A
B
®
R
BLACK BOX
724-746-5500

1
FCC/IC/CE STATEMENTS
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AND INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO-FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not
installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested
and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance
with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his own
expense will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct
the interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.
EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
This equipment complies with the requirements of the European EMC Directive
89/336/EEC.

2
LOCAL/REMOTE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de
que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo, cerca
de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc.
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales que
sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá
a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio deberá ser
referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá,
alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe colocar
en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de
ventilación.
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor
como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo
amplificadores) que producen calor.
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.

3
NOM STATEMENT, TRADEMARKS
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización
del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen del
aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas
de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea
usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en su
desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
Any trademarks used in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the trademark
owners.

4
LOCAL/REMOTE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications ............................................................................................. 5
2. Introduction ............................................................................................... 7
3. Installation and Configuration ................................................................. 8
3.1 Before You Install ................................................................................ 8
3.2 The Setup Procedure .......................................................................... 9
4. Operation ................................................................................................. 17
4.1 Local Switching ................................................................................. 17
4.1.1 ABC and ABCDE Switches (SW980 and SW982 Units) ........ 17
4.1.2 X Switches (SW981 Units) ...................................................... 18
4.2 Remote Switching ............................................................................. 19
4.2.1 ABC and ABCDE Switches (SW980 and SW982 Units) ........ 19
4.2.2 X Switches (SW981 Units) ...................................................... 19
4.3 Test Results ........................................................................................ 22
5. Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 23
5.1 Calling Black Box .............................................................................. 23
5.2 Shipping and Packaging ................................................................... 23

5
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
1. Specifications
Compliance — FCC Part 15 Subpart J Class A, IC Class/classe A
Data Rate — Up to 256 kbps typical; higher speeds possible with
careful consideration of cabling and equipment
requirements
User Controls — All models: Remote switching either through TTL,
RS-232, RS-422/485, or other active drivers or
through dry-contact closure;
SW980 and SW982 models: (1) Rear-mounted
2-position DIP switch for grounding;
SW981 models: (2) Rear-mounted 2-position DIP
switches for grounding
Indicators — Front-mounted LEDs:
All models: (1) for Power;
SW980 models: (2) for Active Port;
SW981 models: (1) for Straight, (1) for Crossed;
SW982 models: (4) for Active Port
Connectors — All models: (1) Rear-mounted RJ-45 female,
(1) Internal 4-position terminal block;
SW980 models: (3) Rear-mounted DB25 female;
SW981 models: (4) Rear-mounted DB25 female;
SW982 models: (5) Rear-mounted DB25 female
Leads Supported — DB25: All
Signal Levels — Between ±15 VDC maximum for all leads
“On” Resistance
Through Switch — SW980 and SW981 models: 35 ohms maximum,
22 ohms typical;
SW982 models: 100 ohms maximum, 40 ohms typical
Port-to-Port
Switching Speed
Using Remote
Inputs — Less than 1 µs

6
LOCAL/REMOTE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES
Remote Input
Logic Levels — VIH greater than 2.5 volts, maximum +15 volts;
VIL less than 0.5 volts, minimum –15 volts
NOTE
For dry-contact operation, the total external-
connection DC resistance must be less than
240 ohms when the dry contact is closed for the
Local/Remote Electronic Switch to correctly
read this condition as a “low” input.
Power — SW980A, SW981A, SW982A:
From wallmount power supply PS154:
Input: 120 VAC, 60 Hz;
Output: 17 VAC CT;
SW980AE, SW981AE, SW982AE:
From wallmount power supply PS154E:
Input: 230 VAC, 50 Hz;
Output: 17 VAC CT;
Consumption: 1 watt
MTBF — 65,000 hours
Operating
Temperature — 32 to 140˚F (0 to 60˚C)
Storage
Temperature — –4 to +158˚F (–20 to +70˚C)
Humidity — Up to 95% noncondensing
Enclosure — High-impact plastic
Size — SW980 and SW981 models: 2.5"H x 6"W x 6.3"D
(6.4 x 15.2 x 16 cm);
SW982 models: 3.5"H x 6"W x 6.3"D
(8.9 x 15.2 x 16 cm)
Weight — 1.5 lb. (0.7 kg)

7
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2. Introduction
Switching between data lines manually can often damage the connected
equipment, because this relatively slow and imprecise action can cause data-line
surges and spikes large enough to damage today’s sensitive circuitry. With the
Local/Remote Electronic Switches, you can eliminate this potential hazard. Their
electronic switching action provides surgeless, spikeless changeovers—something
a mechanical switch just can’t do.
In addition, these switches can be controlled remotely, from a convenient
out-of-sight location.
The stock models available are:
SW980A 115-VAC 2-to-1 Switch
SW980AE 230-VAC 2-to-1 Switch
SW981A 115-VAC “X” (2-to-2) Switch
SW981AE 230-VAC “X” (2-to-2) Switch
SW982A 115-VAC 4-to-1 Switch
SW982AE 230-VAC 4-to-1 Switch
These Switches can also be cascaded to allow a larger number of ports
to be switched.

8
LOCAL/REMOTE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES
3. Installation and Configuration
3.1 Before You Install
Check the box and its contents before you begin installing your Local/Remote
Electronic Switch. You should have received one Switch unit, one AC power supply,
and one copy of this manual. If you didn’t receive all of these items, or if they have
sustained damage that does not seem to be shipping-related, notify Black Box right
away. If they have sustained impact or water damage that seems to have happened
during shipping, notify both Black Box and the shipping carrier immediately.
Unpack the box carefully. We recommend that you save the original container
and its packing materials in case you need to ship the Switch later.
You’ll need to install the Switch within 6 feet (1.8 m) of an AC outlet. Also,
keep the Switch away from water and extreme temperatures.
Make sure you have the proper cables or adapters. Whatever interface you want
to switch (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, V.35, TTL, etc.), you must use either cables with
DB25 male connectors or adapters that convert the interface from your cables’
connectors to DB25 male connectors. To perform remote switching, you must use
an appropriate length of cable that has at least four wires. If you intend to connect
it to the Switch’s internal terminal block, this cable must be unterminated at the
Switch end. If you intend to connect it to the Switch’s “REMOTE” connector, this
cable must have wires pinned to Pins 3 through 6 of a male RJ-45 connector at the
Switch end. (If you must use existing cables that do not meet these requirements,
call Black Box Technical Support; we might be able to provide adapters or create
a special product for you.)

9
CHAPTER 3: Installation and Configuration
3.2 The Setup Procedure
Installing and configuring a Local/Remote Electronic Switch is relatively quick and
easy, and will vary only slightly depending on which model you’ve chosen. Follow
these steps:
(Steps 1 through 4 are for remotely switched applications only:)
1. Make sure that the Switch is unplugged (is not receiving AC power). Open
the Switch by unscrewing the two screws on the bottom of the unit (save these
screws) and removing the top of the unit’s housing. (You will probably have
to peel back the CE sticker on the bottom of the unit to get at one of the
screws.)
2. Find jumper W1 (for SW980 or SW981 units) or jumpers W2 and W3 (for
SW982 units) on the Switch’s circuit board. Refer to Figure 3-1 on the next
page if your unit is an SW980 model, to Figure 3-2 on page 11 if your unit is
an SW981 model, or to Figure 3-3 on page 12 if your unit is an SW982 model.
Set the jumper(s) as appropriate for your application:
• Set W1, or W2 and W3, to the A-B position for applications that use
dry-contact closure to perform remote switching.
• Set W1, or W2 and W3, to the B-C position for applications that use
active driver(s) to perform remote switching.
(text continued on page 13)

10
LOCAL/REMOTE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES
Figure 3-1. PCB layout of the SW980 models.
W1A
B
C
REAR FRONT
TB1

11
CHAPTER 3: Installation and Configuration
Figure 3-2. PCB layout of the SW981 models.
W1
A
B
C
REAR FRONT
TB1

12
LOCAL/REMOTE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES
Figure 3-3. PCB layout of the SW982 models.
W3 TB1
W2
A
B
CA
B
C
FRONT REAR

13
CHAPTER 3: Installation and Configuration
(text continued from page 9)
3. If you will be performing remote switching using a cable that is unterminated
at the Switch end, attach the cable’s wires to the appropriate positions of the
4-position terminal block labeled “TB1” (refer to Figures 3-1 through 3-3 on
pages 10 through 12 and to Tables 4-1 and 4-2 on pages 20 and 21). Connect
the ground of the remote driver, or one side of the dry contact, to (either of)
the terminal block’s ground pin(s). Connect the remote driver’s output(s),
or the other side of the dry contact, to the terminal block’s input pin(s).
4. Close the Switch’s housing and screw the two screws you removed in step 1
back in. If you are using a remote-switching cable that is unterminated at the
Switch end, make sure that the cable is seated in the slot on the left side of
the Switch’s rear panel before you put the cover back on.
(The installation procedure for locally switched applications begins with Step 5:)
5. Find DIP switch S2 (for SW980 and SW982 units) or DIP switches S2 and S3
(for SW981 units) on the Switch’s rear panel. Refer to Figure 3-4 below or
Figure 3-5 or 3-6 on the next page, which show the rear panels of the SW980,
SW981, and SW982 models respectively.
Figure 3-4. Rear panel of the SW980 models.
AB
C
REMOTE
SERIAL
PARALLEL

14
LOCAL/REMOTE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES
Figure 3-5. Rear panel of the SW981 models.
Figure 3-6. Rear panel of the SW982 models.
DE
AB
C
REMOTE
SERIAL
PARALLEL
AABB
AB
SERIAL PARALLEL
REMOTE

15
CHAPTER 3: Installation and Configuration
6. Set the DIP switch(es) as appropriate for your application. Refer to Table 3-1
and Figure 3-7 below, and keep in mind that OFF = UP and ON = DOWN.
Table 3-1. Possible Settings for Switches S2 and S3
All 25 leads of the Local/Remote Electronic Switch’s DB25 connectors are straight-
through and are isolated from one another. In RS-232 and DB25 parallel applications,
we recommend that you use DIP switches S2 and S3 to make a “common” ground
connection; this will help eliminate intermittent noise problems.
Recommended Settings for RS-232 Applications:
S2 S3
Model(s) Pos. 1 Pos. 2 Pos. 1 Pos. 2 Connection(s) Made
SW980/982 units ON OFF N/A N/A Port C Pin 7 to
(down) (up) Switch ground
SW981 units ON ON OFF OFF Ports AA and BB Pin 7
(down) (down) (up) (up) to Switch ground
Recommended Settings for DB25 Parallel Applications:
S2 S3
Model(s) Pos. 1 Pos. 2 Pos. 1 Pos. 2 Connection(s) Made
SW980/982 units OFF ON N/A N/A Port C Pin 18 to
(up) (down) Switch ground
SW981 units OFF OFF ON ON Ports AA and BB Pin 18
(up) (up) (down) (down) to Switch ground
Recommended Settings for Other Applications:
All models—Set all positions of switches S2 [and S3] to OFF (up).
Figure 3-7. DIP switch S2 of the SW980 and SW982 models (left)
and DIP switches S2 and S3 of the SW981 models (right).
SERIAL PARALLEL
ON 1 2 ON 1 2
SERIAL
PARALLEL
ON 1 2
(S2)
(S2) (S3)

16
LOCAL/REMOTE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES
7. Put the Switch in the site you’ve selected.
8. Shut off the equipment you plan to connect to the Switch.
9A. SW980 and SW982 units only: Connect the cable from the “common” device
(the one that’s going to access—or be shared by—the other devices) to the
common connector (marked “C”) on the Switch’s rear panel. Connect the
cables from the “branch” devices (those that will share—or be intermittently
accessed by—the other device) to the branch connectors (marked “A” and
“B” [and “D” and “E” on the SW982]) on the Switch’s rear panel.
9B. SW981 units only: Connect the cables from the two “source” devices to the
connectors on the Switch’s rear panel labeled “A” and “B.” Connect the
cables from the “destination” devices to the connectors on the Switch’s
rear panel labeled “AA” and “BB.”
10. Remotely switched applications using terminated cable only: Plug the cable’s RJ-45
plug into the connector marked “REMOTE” on the Switch’s rear panel. Make
sure that the appropriate wires are attached to the appropriate pins in the
RJ-45 plug (refer to Tables 4-1 and 4-2 on pages 20 and 21). The ground of
the remote driver, or one side of the dry contact, must be connected to the
connector’s ground pin. The remote driver’s output(s), or the other side of
the dry contact, must be connected to the connector’s input pin(s).
11. Plug the Switch’s power supply into an AC outlet.
12. Turn on the attached equipment.
Your Local/Remote Electronic Switch should now be ready for continuous
operation, but test it to make sure it has been installed properly. See Chapter 4.

17
CHAPTER 4: Operation
4. Operation
4.1 Local Switching
4.1.1 ABC AND ABCDE S WITCHES
(SW980 AND SW982 U NITS )
Refer to Figure 4-1 below: Test your Local/Remote Electronic Switch system by
having the common device send data to, or receive data from, branch devices “A”
and “B” (and, for SW982 units, “D” and “E”), one after the other. Switch between
branch devices by manually turning the knob on the Switch’s front panel.
Figure 4-1. Switching in the SW980 (top) and SW982 (bottom) models.
SWITCHED
E
SWITCHED
D
SWITCHED
B
SWITCHED
A
COMMON
C
ABCDE SWITCH
Connections made are AC, BC, DC, and EC-“C”is COMMON
SWITCHED
B
SWITCHED
A
COMMON
C
ABC SWITCH
Connections made are AC and BC -“C” IS COMMON

18
LOCAL/REMOTE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES
4.1.2 X S WITCHES
(SW981 U NITS )
Refer to Figure 4-2 below: Test your Local/Remote Electronic Switch system by
having each source device (“A” and “B”) send data to each destination device
(“AA” and “BB”), one after the other. Switch between data pathways by manually
turning the knob on the Switch’s front panel.
Figure 4-2. Switching in the SW981 models.
“X”SWITCH
Connections made are A-AA & B-BB or A-BB & B-AA
A AA
BBB

19
CHAPTER 4: Operation
4.2 Remote Switching
When you do remote switching, keep these things in mind:
• The knob on the Switch’s front panel must be in the “REMOTE” position.
• The Switch interprets any voltage more negative than approximately 1.4 volts
as a “low” and any voltage more positive than approximately 1.4 volts as a
“high” (see the “Remote Input Logic Levels” spec in Chapter 1 for maximum
and minimum switching points).
• In dry-contact applications, the Switch will read a “low” when the contact
is closed and a “high” when the contact is open.
• The maximum allowed voltage on the remote-input leads is ±15 volts.
4.2.1 ABC AND ABCDE S WITCHES (SW980 AND SW982 U NITS )
To test the remote-switching capability of your Local/Remote Electronic Switch
system, you must first turn the knob on the Switch’s front panel to “REMOTE.”
Now have the common device send data to, or receive data from, branch devices
“A” and “B” (and, for SW982 units, “D” and “E”), one after the other. Switch
between branch devices by sending “high” and “low” electric signals to the Switch
through its RJ-45 connector or its internal 4-position terminal block. See Tables 4-1
and 4-2 on pages 20 and 21 for pinouts and signal levels; see Figure 4-1 on page 17
for basic illustrations of how the Switches function.
4.2.2 X S
WITCHES (SW981 U NITS )
To test the remote-switching capability of your Local/Remote Electronic Switch
system, you must first turn the knob on the Switch’s front panel to “REMOTE.”
Now have each source device (“A” and “B”) send data to each destination device
(“AA” and “BB”), one after the other. Switch between data pathways by sending
“high” and “low” electric signals to the Switch through its RJ-45 connector or its
internal 4-position terminal block. See Table 4-1 on the next page for pinouts and
signal levels; see Figure 4-2 on the previous page for a basic illustration of how the
Switch functions.