ELPRO 215U-2 User manual

User Manual MN032EN Effective October 2017
New information
215U-2 802.11
wireless I/O and gateway
Version 2.11

ii
User Manual MN032EN
Effective October 2017
215U-2 802.11
wireless I/O and gateway
EATON www.eaton.com
Documentation note
Eaton acquired Cooper Industries in November, 2012. “Cooper
Bussmann” may appear in some screen images within this guide.
ATTENTION
INCORRECT TERMINATION OF SUPPLY WIRES MAY CAUSE INTERNAL
DAMAGE AND WILL VOID THE WARRANTY. TO ENSURE THAT YOUR
215U-2 WIRELESS I/O AND GATEWAY ENJOYS A LONG LIFE, CHECK THIS
USER MANUAL TO VERIFY THAT ALL CONNECTIONS ARETERMINATED
CORRECTLY BEFORE TURNING ON POWER FOR THEFIRST TIME.
CAUTION
TO COMPLY WITH FCC RF EXPOSURE REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 1.1310
OF THE FCC RULES, ANTENNAS USED WITH THIS DEVICE MUST BE
INSTALLED TO PROVIDE A SEPARATION DISTANCE OF AT LEAST 20 CM
FROM ALL PERSONS TO SATISFY RF EXPOSURE COMPLIANCE.
DO NOT OPERATE THE TRANSMITTER WHEN ANYONE IS WITHIN 20 CM OF
THE ANTENNA. ENSURE THAT THE ANTENNA IS CORRECTLY INSTALLED IN
ORDER TO SATISFY THIS SAFETY REQUIREMENT.
Avoid
• Operate the transmitter unless all RF connectors are secure
andany open connectors are properly terminated
• Operate the equipment near electrical blasting caps or in an
explosive atmosphere
ote:N All equipment must be properly grounded for safe operations.
All equipment should be serviced only by a qualifiedtechnician.
FCC notice
Part 15.19—This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device
may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Part 15.21—The grantee is not responsible for any changes or
modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance. Such modifications could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Part 15.105(b)—This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
ote:N This device should only be connected to PCs that are covered by either
a FCC DoC or are FCC certified.
Manufacturer Model number Coax kit Net
ELPRO ANTMD2400-EL Includes 5 m RG58 3 dBi gain
ELPRO ANTWH2400-SMA Direct mount Unity gain
ELPRO ANTSG2400-EL CC3-SMA 5 dBi gain
ELPRO ANTY2400-18EL CC10-SMA 12 dBi gain
ELPRO ANTZ2400-EL CC3-SMA 8 dBi gain
Safety notices
Exposure to RF energy is an important safety consideration. The
FCC has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to radio
frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC regulated
equipment as a result of its actions in Docket 93-62 and OET
Bulletin65 Edition 97-01.
Hazardous location notices
This equipment complies with the following standards:
• IEC 60079-0:2012/A11:2013
• IEC 60079-15:2010
This equipment complies with 2014/35/EU—ATEX Directive
ExnA IIC T4 Gc –40 °C ≤ Ta ≤ +70 °C.
Special conditions
This equipment is designed to be installed in anenclosure
that meets IP54.
WARNING: EXPLOSION HAZARD
DO NOT DISCONNECT EQUIPMENT UNLESS POWER HAS BEEN SWITCHED
OFF OR THE AREA IS KNOWN TO BE NON-HAZARDOUS.
This equipment is suitable for use in Class 1, Division2,
Groups A, B, C and D; Tamb –40° C to +70° C or
non-hazardous locations only.
This equipment shall be installed in accordance with
the requirements specified in Article 820 of the National
Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI/NFPA 70-2011. Section 820.40
of the NEC provides guidelines for proper grounding, and
in particular specifies that the antenna ground (shield) shall
be connected to the grounding system of the building, as
close to the point of cable entry as practical.
This equipment shall be installed in a restricted access
location, such as a dedicated equipment room or service
closet.
The earth/ground terminal of this equipment shall be
connected to earth ground in the equipment installation.
The external power supply installed with this equipment
shall be a listed, Class 2 power supply, with a rated output
between 15 Vdc and 30 Vdc, and minimum 3500 mA.

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User Manual MN032EN
Effective October 2017
215U-2 802.11
wireless I/O and gateway
EATON www.eaton.com
GNU free documentation license
Copyright © 2009 Eaton
Eaton is using a part of Free Software code under the GNU General
Public License in operating the 215U-2 product. This General Public
License applies to most of the Free Software Foundation’s code and
to any other program whose authors commit by using it. The Free
Software is copyrighted by Free Software Foundation, Inc., and the
program is licensed “as is” without warranty of any kind. Users are
free to contact Eaton at the following email address: www.eaton.
com/wireless for instructions on how to obtain the source code used
for the 215U-2.
A copy of the license is included in GNU Free Document License at
the end of the manual.
Important notice
ELPRO products are designed to be used in industrial environments
by experienced industrial engineering personnel with adequate
knowledge of safety design considerations.
ELPRO products use communications channels that are subject to
noise and interference. The products are designed to operate in the
presence of noise and interference, but in an extreme case noise
and interference can cause product operation delays or operation
failure. Like all industrial electronic products, ELPRO products can
fail in a variety of modes due to misuse, age, or malfunction. We
recommend that users and designers design systems using design
techniques intended to prevent personal injury or damage during
product operation, and provide failure tolerant systems to prevent
personal injury or damage in the event of product failure. Designers
must warn users of the equipment or systems if adequate
protection against failure has not been included in the system
design. Designers must include this Important Notice in operating
procedures and system manuals.
These products should not be used in non-industrial applications, or
life-support systems, without first consulting Eaton.
To avoid accidents during maintenance or adjustment of remotely
controlled equipment, all equipment should be first disconnected
from the 215U-2 module during these adjustments. Equipment
should carry clear markings to indicate remote or automatic
operation. For example: “This equipment is remotely controlled
and may start without warning. Isolate at the switchboard before
attempting adjustments.”
Release notice
This is the September 2017 release of the 215U-2 Wireless I/O and
Gateway User Manual version 2.11, which applies to firmware
version 2.11.
Follow instructions
Read this entire manual and all other publications pertaining to the
work to be performed before installing, operating, or servicing this
equipment. Practice all plant and safety instructions and precautions.
Failure to follow the instructions can cause personal injury and/or
property damage.
Proper use
Any unauthorized modifications to or use of this equipment outside
its specified mechanical, electrical, or other operating limits may
cause personal injury and/or property damage, including damage to
the equipment. Any such unauthorized modifications: (1) constitute
“misuse” and/or “negligence” within the meaning of the product
warranty, thereby excluding warranty coverage for any resulting
damage; and (2) invalidate product certifications or listings.
Product disposal
When your product reaches the end of its useful life, it is important
to take care in the disposal of the product to minimize the impact on
the environment.
General instructions
The product housing is made of polycarbonate plastic
(Code 7) andmay be recycled through regular recycling
operators in your area.
The product circuit board should be disposed according to your
country’s regulations for disposing electronics equipment.
Europe
In Europe, you can return the product to the place of
purchase to have the product disposed in accordance with
EU WEEE legislation.
Deployment of Eaton products in customer environment
There is increasing concern regarding cybersecurity across
industries, where companies are steadily integrating field devices
into enterprise-wide information systems. This is why Eaton
has incorporated secure development life cycle in their product
development to ensure that cybersecurity is addressed at all levels
ofdevelopment and commissioning of our products.
There is no protection method that is completely secure.
Industrial Control Systems continue to be the target for attacks.
The complexities of these attacks make it very difficult to have a
complete secure system. A defense mechanism that is effective
today may not be effective tomorrow as the ways and means
of cyber-attacks constantly change. Therefore it’s critical that our
customers remain aware of changes in cybersecurity and continue
to work to prevent any potential vulnerability of their products and
systems in their environment.
At Eaton we are focusing on analyzing emerging threats and
ensuring that we are developing secure products and helping
our customers deploy and maintain our solutions in a secure
environment. We continue to evaluate cybersecurity updates that
webecome aware of and provide the necessary communication
onour website as soon as possible.
Eaton strongly recommends our customers to apply the deployment
practices that are outlined on our Cybersecurity whitepaper
"Electrical Distribution Cybersecurity considerations".

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User Manual MN032EN
Effective October 2017
215U-2 802.11
wireless I/O and gateway
EATON www.eaton.com
Table of contents
Introduction ...........................................1
Overview ...........................................1
Module structure .....................................2
Getting started.........................................2
Installation ............................................3
General.............................................3
Power supply ........................................3
Powering from the SUP+ and SUP– terminals ..............3
Connecting a back-up battery to the BAT+
and GNDterminals....................................3
Powering expansion I/O modules ........................3
Powering the module directly from
the BAT+ and GNDterminals ...........................4
Internal I/O .........................................4
Grounding...........................................4
Antennas ...........................................4
Connections .........................................6
Side access configuration panel .........................7
Front panel connections................................8
Digital or pulsed inputs ................................8
Digital outputs (pulsed outputs)..........................8
Analog inputs ........................................9
Analog outputs......................................11
System design........................................11
Design for failures ...................................11
Testing and commissioning ............................11
Connecting to the device ...............................12
Connecting to the module for the first time ...............12
Connecting to the device’s USB port.....................12
Connecting to the Device’s Ethernet port .................12
Quick start configuration ................................13
Identification........................................13
Wireless Interface ...................................13
Network settings ....................................14
Additional network settings items .......................14
I/O Back to Back configuration..........................14
Connecting to Other 802.11 devices.......................15
Connecting a 215U-2 to existing 802.11 network ...........15
Connecting your device to an existing 215U-2 network ......15
Accessing Ethernet devices connected to 215U-2 ..........15
Device configuration ...................................16
Modbus TCP Configuration ............................16
Dashboard .........................................17
I/O Mapping configuration .............................18
Default Back-To-Back gather scatter mapping ..............20
Serial functionality – Connecting ........................21
to RS-232 and RS-485 device
Adding expansion I/O modules .........................22
Configuration of the on-board I/O .......................22
Failsafe configuration .................................23
Advanced network configuration..........................25
Network ...........................................25
Radio .............................................25
Repeaters..........................................26
IP Routing..........................................26
Network Filtering ....................................26
DHCP Server .......................................27
VLAN Configuration ..................................28
Module information web page..........................29
System tools .......................................29
Patch file firmware upgrade ............................30
Setting the date and time .............................30
Feature license keys..................................32
Using demonstration mode ............................32
Enabling a feature license key ..........................32
Changing your password ..............................33
Recovery after lost admin password .....................34
Diagnostics ..........................................35
IO diagnostics ......................................35
Watchdog error log...................................35
Module information registers...........................35
Expansion I/O error registers ...........................36
Diagnostic registers—device statistics ...................36
Monitoring communications ...........................37
Data logging .........................................38
Configuring data logging ..............................38
Viewing current data .................................39
Retrieving logged data ................................39
Retrieving stored log file data ..........................40
Specifications ........................................41
Troubleshooting .......................................42
Restoring the factory default connection settings . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Configuring PC networking settings .....................42
for Ethernet and Wireless
Configuring PC networking settings for USB...............42
LED function .........................................43
Front panel LEDs ....................................43
LED boot sequence ..................................43
Input and output LEDs................................44
Ethernet LEDs ......................................44
Register memory map .................................45
Physical I/O registers .................................48
115S serial expansion modules I/O registers ...............50
Modbus error codes ...................................51
Full firmware upgrade ..................................52
GNU free document license .............................55
Glossary.............................................58

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User Manual MN032EN
Effective October 2017
215U-2 802.11
wireless I/O and gateway
EATON www.eaton.com
Introduction
Overview
The ELPRO 215U-2 Ethernet Networking I/O and Gateway is a
multiple I/O node that extends communications to sensors and
actuators in local, remote, or difficult to reach locations. Designed to
work with wired and wireless devices, the ELPRO 215U-2 is capable
of providing IP-based I/O across sprawling industrial environments
typical of industrial applications.
The ELPRO 215U-2 communicates using standard 802.11 (WiFi)
communications and will interoperate with existing 802.11 products
and networks operating on the 2.4GHz band.
The 215U-2 can serve as an end node or network gateway andis
scalable to thousands of nodes. Gather-scatter and block mapping
technology offers the efficient use of network resources, allowing
point-to-point transfer of process signal within complex monitoring
and control systems. Integrated Modbus®server capability allows
further I/O expansion through the use of ELPRO 115S expansion
modules.
The module can monitor the following types of signals:
• Digital (on/off) signals, such as a contact closure or switch
• Analog (continuously variable) signals, such as tank level, motor
speed, or temperature
• Pulsed signal, frequency signals, such as metering, accumulated
total, or rainfall
• Internal signals, such as supply voltage, supply failure, or battery
status
The modules monitor the input signals and transmit the values by
radio or Ethernet cabling to another module (or modules) that have
been configured to receive this information.
Input signals that are connected to the module are transmitted and
appear as output signals on other modules. A transmission occurs
whenever a change of state (COS) occurs on an input signal. A
COS of a digital or an internal digital input is a change from “off”
to “on,” or a change from “on” to “off.” For an analog input, internal
analog input, or pulse input rate, a COS is a configurable value
referred to as sensitivity. The default sensitivity is 1000 counts (3%),
but you can change this value using the device’s sensitivity block
configuration web page.
In addition to COS messages, update messages are automatically
transmitted on a configurable time basis. These updates ensure
system integrity. Pulse inputs counts are accumulated and the
totalcount is transmitted regularly according to the configured
update time.
The 215U-2 modules transmit the input/output data using radio
or Ethernet. The data frame includes the address of the sending
module and the receiving module, so that each transmitted message
is acted upon only by the correct receiving unit. Each message
includes error checking to ensure that no corruption of the data
frame has occurred due to noise or interference. The module with
the correct receiving address will acknowledge the message with a
return transmission (acknowledgment). If the original module does
not receive a correct acknowledgment, it will retry multiple times
before setting the communications status of that message to “fail.”
For critical messages, this status can be reflected on an output on
the module for alert purposes. The module will continue to try to
establish communications and retry each time an update or COS
occurs.
The 215U-2 comes from the factory with ELPRO WIB and Modbus
TCP/RTU protocols as standard. WIB protocol provides powerful
enhanced features, including IP addressing, and it allows thousands
of modules to exist in a system. Modbus TCP protocol provides a
standards-based interface to a multitude of commercially available
controls systems, including PLCs, DCS, andSCADA.
A system can be a complex network or a simple pair of modules.
Aneasy-to-use configuration procedure allows you to specify any
output destination for each input. Each 215U-2 device can have up
to 19 expansion I/O modules (ELPRO 115S) connected by RS-485
twisted pair cable. Any input signal at any module may be configured
to appear at any output on any module in the entire system.
The units can be configured by accessing the internal Web pages
using a Web browser. See section “Connecting to the device” on
page 12 for more information.

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215U-2 802.11
wireless I/O and gateway
EATON www.eaton.com
Module structure
The 215U-2 module is made up of different interface areas with a
central input and output storage area (I/O store). The I/O store is
an area of memory made available for the status of the physical
on-board I/O and internal I/O registers. It also provides services for
other processes within the module.
The I/O store is split into eight different block types:
• Two blocks made available for bit data (discrete)
• Two blocks made available for word data (analog)
• Two blocks made available for 32-bit words data (32-bit analogs)
• Two blocks made available for floating point data (floats)
Each of these block types in turn support input and output locations
that can interface with the physical I/O on the local machine and
also be used for data storage when used as a gateway to external
devices. These block type locations are illustrated in Figure 1 and
are described in “Register memory map” on page 45. There are
other registers within the database that can be used for system
management.
Figure 1. Module structure
The radio and Ethernet interfaces (see Figure 1) allow the 215U-2
to communicate with other modules within the system using a
proprietary protocol called WIB. I/O Messages from other 215U-2
modules are received on the communication ports and then passed
to the I/O store which will in turn update the register locations
accordingly. The WIB protocol is designed to provide reliable
communications suitable for an Ethernet channel or for an open
license-free radio channel. It is an extremely efficient protocol
for radio communications because the messages are sent using
exception reporting (only transmitting when there is a change of
an input signal) rather than transmitting all of the time. Update
messages can also be configured at a predetermined time for
integrity checks.
Each message can be comprised of multiple I/O values, referred
to as a “block of I/O.” The messages use error checking and return
acknowledgment for greater reliability. Up to four attempts are made
when transmitting the message over each hop of the radio path,
and if no acknowledgment is received a Comms indication can be
flagged.
The on-board I/O includes eight discrete I/O, two single-ended
analog inputs, two differential analog inputs, and two current
sourcing analog outputs. Each discrete I/O can function as either
a discrete input (voltage-free contact input) or discrete output
(transistor output). Each I/O point is linked to separate I/O registers
within the I/O data store.
The following internal I/O can be accessed from the I/O store. The
inputs can be used to interpret the status of a single module or an
entire system:
• Battery voltage—The battery terminal voltage, displayed as an
analog value.
• Loop supply—The +24 Vdc analog loop supply (ALS) used to
power analog current loops, displayed as an analog value.
• Expansion module volts—The supply voltage of the connected
expansion modules, displayed as an analog value.
• RSSI—The radio signal level received from the upstream device,
reported as a dB level.
• Comms Fail—A selectable register can indicate a
Communications Fail error for a particular message transmission.
The expansion port, allows 115S expansion I/O modules to be added
to the module. Expansion I/O is dynamically added to the internal I/O
of the 215U-2 module by adding an offset to the address.
Getting started
Most applications for the 215U-2 module require little configuration.
The 215U-2 has many sophisticated features, but if you do not
require these features you can use this section to configure the
units quickly.
To get started quickly:
1. Read “Installation” on page 3, which describes the power
supply, antenna/coax connections, and I/O connections.
2. Power on the 215U-2 module and set up a USB connection to
your PC. For detailed steps, see “Connecting to the device” on
page 12.

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User Manual MN032EN
Effective October 2017
215U-2 802.11
wireless I/O and gateway
EATON www.eaton.com
Installation
General
The 215U-2 Series modules are housed in a plastic enclosure with
DIN rail mounting, providing options for up to 14 I/O points, and
separate power and communications connectors. The enclosure
measures 7.2”x6.0”x1.3” (183mm x 156mm x 33mm), including
the connectors. The antenna protrudes from the top.
Power supply
ETHERNET USB RS232 SUPPLY
+-
GND BAT SUP SUP
+
B A
-+
15-30 Vdc
Supply
3A Fuse
Optional
10.8–15 Vdc
Lead Acid
Battery
–
+
Figure 2. Supply connections
Powering from the SUP+ and SUP– terminals
The 215U-2 will operate from a 15–30 Vdc supply (nominal 24 Vdc)
connected to the SUP+ and SUP– terminals. The power supply must
be able to supply enough current to operate the device, to power all
of the I/O circuits, and to power the device’s radio transmitter when
it is sending data. A 24 Vdc 2.5 A power supply such as ELPRO
PSG60E or PS-DINAC-24DC-OK is suitable for all configurations,
including configurations requiring battery charging and expansion I/O.
If you need to use a supply with a lower power rating; or if you
need to power additional equipment in your installation; use these
guidelines to determine your required power supply current. Add
the relevant elements from Table 1 to determine your power supply
current requirement. Remember you also need to add current for
any other equipment being powered from the same power supply,
including relays, loop isolators, indicators, etc.
Table 1. Power supply current requirements
Supply voltage
17 Vdc 24 Vdc 30 Vdc
Base operating current 200 mA 150 mA 120 mA
Discrete I/O (per active input or output) 11 mA 7 mA 5 mA
Analog inputs and outputs
(per 20 mA loop)
55 mA 38 mA 30 mA
Connecting a back-up battery to the BAT+ and
GNDterminals
The 215U-2 provides an internal battery charger for Sealed Lead
Acid (SLA) batteries. You can connect a 13.8 V SLA battery to the
BAT+ and GND terminals to provide a backup power source if the
main supply fails. While the main supply is present, the battery will
charge at up to 0.5 A rate until the battery voltage reaches 14.3 V.
The battery charger will then maintain a float charge on the battery
at this voltage. To fully charge the SLA battery, the main supply must
be at least 17 Vdc.
When you connect a backup battery, you need to provide sufficient
power to support the additional charge current required when the
battery is discharged (when it is recovering from an extended power
interruption). Table 2 shows the additional current from your power
supply to support battery charging.
Table 2. Additional current to support battery charging
Supply voltage (Vsup)Current required (Isup)
17 Vdc 1000 mA
24 Vdc 700 mA
30 Vdc 550 mA
Formula
Powering expansion I/O modules
The 215U-2 allows connection of 115S Series modules to the RS-485
port to provide expanded I/O capacity. You can use the “+” and
“–“ connections on the 215U-2 to provide up to 500 mA supply for
expansion I/O modules. If you have a back-up SLA battery connected
to the 215U-2, then this connection will also be powered from the
back-up supply, so that the expansion I/O modules receive the
backup power as well as the main module.
ETHERNET USB RS232 SUPPLY
+-
GND BAT SUP SUP
+
B A
-+
115S-xx 115S-xx
RS-485
B A
B A B A
-+-+
Figure 3. Expansion I/O power and RS-485
When the module is being powered from the main supply (SUP+
and SUP– terminals), you need to provide sufficient power to
support the additional current required by the expansion I/O
modules. Table 3 shows the additional current from yourpower
supply to support expansion I/O connection.
Table 3. Additional supply current to support expansion I/O
Expansion
I/O
current
(Iexp)
Current required (Isup)
Supply voltage
17 Vdc 24 Vdc 30 Vdc
Base operating current 115S 120 mA 130 mA 90 mA 75 mA
Discrete inputs
(per active input)
13 mA 14 mA 10 mA 8 mA
Discrete outputs
(per active output)
25 mA 27 mA 20 mA 16 mA
Analog inputs and outputs
(per 20 mA loop)
50 mA 55 mA 38 mA 30 mA
Formula
Powering the module directly from the BAT+ and
GNDterminals
In some situations it may be desirable to power the module
directly from a 13.8 Vdc supply. This may be because this voltage
supply is already available at an installation or because the power

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User Manual MN032EN
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215U-2 802.11
wireless I/O and gateway
EATON www.eaton.com
requirements for 115S modules are more than can be supplied by
the “+” and “–“ expansion I/O connections.
Use Table 4 to determine the device’s current requirements at
13.8 Vdc. Remember you also need to add current for any other
equipment being powered from the same power supply, including
relays, indicators, and any additional 115S modules.
Table 4. Current requirements
Supply current at 13.8 Vdc
Base operating current 230 mA
Discrete I/O (per active input or output) 10 mA
Analog inputs and outputs (per 20 mA loop) 50 mA
Internal I/O
The internal supply voltage register locations shown in the
following table can be monitored using the Diagnostics Web page
within the module’s Web-based configuration utility (see “Product
Reconfiguration” on page 36 for details). The values can also be
mapped to a register or an analog output on another module within
the network.
Table 5. Internal supply voltage registers
Register Description
30005 Local supply voltage (0–40 V scaling).
30006 Local 24 V loop voltage (0–40 V scaling). Internally generated
+24V supply used for analog loop supply. Maximum current
available is 100 mA.
30007 Local battery voltage (0–40 V scaling).
30008 115S supply voltage (0–40 V scaling).
38005–38008 Floating point registers that display the actual supply voltage,
battery voltage, +24 V supply, and 115S supply. Note that these
are actual voltage values, whereas registers 30005–30008
display a number between 8192 and 49152 that represents the
voltage scale 0–40 V.
To calculate the supply voltages from the register value use the
following calculation:
Volts = (Register Value) – 8192
1024
High and low voltage alarm indication may be configured for each of
these supply voltages. See "Analog inputs" on page 9 for details
on how to configure these alarms.
Grounding
To provide maximum surge and lightning protection each module
should be effectively earthed/grounded via a GND terminal on the
module. This is to ensure that the surge protection circuits inside the
module are effective. The module should be connected to the same
common ground point as the enclosure ground and the antenna
mast ground.
The 215U-2 has a dedicated earth/ground connection screw on the
bottom end plate next to the supply terminals. All earth/ground
wiring should be minimum 0.8in2(2 mm2), 14 AWG. If using the
215U-2 with serial expansion I/O modules, all expansion modules
must have a separate earth/ground connection from the front
terminal back to the common earth or ground point. See Figure 4.
Figure 4. Grounding
Antennas
Antennas can be either connected directly to the module’s
RFconnector or connected via 50-ohm coaxial cable (such as
RG58Cellfoil or RG213) terminated with a male SMA coaxial
connector. The higher the antenna is mounted, the greater the
transmission range, but as the length of coaxial cable increases
sodo cable losses.
The net gain of an antenna and cable configuration is the gain of the
antenna (in dBi) less the loss in the coaxial cable (in dB). Maximum
net gain for the 215U-2 will depend on the licensing regulation for
the country of operation and the operating frequency.
Typical antennas gains and losses are:
Table 6. Typical antennas gains and losses
Antenna Gain (dBi)
Dipole 2 dBi
Collinear 5 or 8 dBi
Directional (Yagi) 6–15 dBi
Cable type Loss at 2.4GHz
RG58 cellfoil cable kits (3 m,10 m, 20 m) -1.8dB, -6dB, -12dB
RG213 per 10 m (33 ft) -4dB
LDF4-50 per 10 m (33 ft) -2.2dB
The net gain of the antenna and cable configuration is determined
by adding the antenna gain and the cable loss. For example, an 8 dBi
antenna with 10 meters of Cellfoil (–6 dB) has a net gain of 2 dB
(8 dB – 6 dB).

5
User Manual MN032EN
Effective October 2017
215U-2 802.11
wireless I/O and gateway
EATON www.eaton.com
Dipole and Collinear antennas
Dipole and collinear antennas transmit the same amount of radio
power in all directions, and are easy to install and use because they
do not need to be aligned to the destination. The dipole antenna
does not require any additional coaxial cable. However, a cable must
be added if using any of the other collinear or directional antennas.
In order to obtain the maximum range, collinear and dipole antennas
should be mounted vertically, preferably at least one wavelength
away (see Figure 8 for distances) from a wall or mast and at least
3ft (1 m) from the radio module.
Earth Stake
For maximum
range, install
above local
obstructions.
Earth Conductor
at least 5 AWG
(16 mm2)
*
Wavelength:
2.4GHz: 5inch (12.5cm)
Weatherproof
Connections
(recommended:
3M™23 self-
bonding tape)
Mast
Coaxial Cable
GND
at least 11 AWG (4 mm2)
Stress
Relief
Loop
Antenna*
GND
Surge Arrestor
(recommended)
215U-2
Provide good ground
connection to mast,
module, and surge
arrestor.
If ground conditions
are poor, use more
than one stake.
1 Wavelength
(minimum)
Figure 5. Antennas installation—Collinear/Dipole
Directional antennas
A directional antenna provides high gain in the forward direction,
but lower gain in other directions. This type of antenna may be used
to compensate for coaxial cable loss for installations with marginal
radio path. Directional antennas can be any of the following:
• Yagi antenna with a main beam and orthogonal elements
• Directional radome, which is cylindrical in shape
• Parabolic antenna
Yagi antennas should be installed with the main beam horizontal,
pointing in the forward direction. If the Yagi antenna is transmitting
to a vertically mounted omni-directional antenna, the Yagi elements
should be vertical. If the Yagi is transmitting to another Yagi, the
elements at each end of the wireless link need to be in the same
plane (horizontal or vertical).
Directional radomes should be installed with the central beam
horizontal, and must be pointed exactly in the direction of
transmission to benefit from the gain of the antenna.
Parabolic antennas should be mounted according to the
manufacturer’s instructions, with the parabolic grid at the back and
the radiating element pointing in the direction of the transmission.
Ensure that the antenna mounting bracket is well connected
to ground.
Figure 6. Directional antenna
Installation tips
Connections between the antenna and the coaxial cable should
be carefully taped to prevent ingress of moisture. Moisture
ingress in the coaxial cable is a common cause for problems with
radio systems because it greatly increases the radio losses. We
recommend that the connection be taped—first with a layer of PVC
tape, next with vulcanizing tape (such as 3M™ 23 tape), and finally
with another layer of PVC UV-stabilized insulating tape. The first layer
of tape allows the joint to be easily inspected when troubleshooting
because the vulcanizing seal can be easily removed (see Figure 10).
Where antennas are mounted on elevated masts, the masts should
be effectively grounded to avoid lightning surges. For high lightning
risk areas, approved ELPRO surge suppression devices, should be
fitted between the module and the antenna. The surge supression
must have a “turn on” voltage of between 10 and 20V. If the antenna
is not already shielded from lightning strike by an adjacent grounded
structure, a lightning rod may be installed above the antenna to
provide shielding.
Figure 7. Vulcanizing tape

6
User Manual MN032EN
Effective October 2017
215U-2 802.11
wireless I/O and gateway
EATON www.eaton.com
Connections
Bottom panel connections
RJ-45 Ethernet Port
(connects to hub or switch)
USB Port RS-232 Port
ETHERNET USB RS232 SUPPLY
+-
GND BAT SUP SUP
+
B A
-+
Figure 8. Bottom panel connections
Ethernet port
The 215U-2 modules provides a standard RJ-45 Ethernet port
compliant to IEEE 802.3 10/100Base-T. This port provides full
access to the module, including configuration, diagnostics, log file
download, and firmware upload of both the local and remote units.
Additionally, the Ethernet port can provide network connectivity for
locally connected third-party devices with Ethernet functionality.
USB device port for configuration
The 215U-2 module also provides a USB device (USB-B) connector.
This connector provides configuration of the device and remote
configuration access to other devices in the radio network.
RS-232 port
The 215U-2 module provides an RS-232 serial port that supports
operation at data rates up to 230,400 baud. This port supports
Modbus protocol. The RS-232 port is accessed using an RJ-45
connector wired as a DCE according to the EIA-562 Electrical
Standard.
Table 7. RJ-45 connector
RJ-45 Signal Required Signal name Connector
1RI —Ring Indicator
2DCD —Data Carrier Detect
3DTR YData Terminal Ready
4GND YSignal Common
5RXD YReceive Data
(frommodule)
6TXD YTransmit Data
(tomodule)
7CTS —Clear to Send
8RTS —Request to Send
RS-485 port with Modbus support
The 215U-2 module provides an RS-485 serial port that supports
operations at data rates up to 230,400 baud. The default baud rate is
9600 baud, no parity, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit, which matches the
115S serial expansion module default settings. This port supports the
Modbus protocol.
The RS-485 port terminal is hosted on the four-way expansion
connector on the bottom edge of the module. An on-board RS-485
termination resistor provides line termination for long runs. As a
general rule, termination resistors should be enabled at each end
of the RS-485 cable. When using 115S expansion I/O modules,
remember to enable the RS-485 termination resistor switch that is
located on the end module.
ETHERNET USB RS232 SUPPLY
+-
GND BAT SUP SUP
+
B A
-+
115S-xx 115S-xx
RS-485
B A
B A B A
-+-+
Figure 9. RS-485 connections