Kramer FC-50 User manual

Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
Preliminary
USER MANUAL
Model:
FC-50
RS-232 Range Extender

Contents
i
Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 1
2.1 Quick Start 2
3Overview 3
3.1 About the Power Connect Feature 3
3.2 Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) / Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) 3
3.3 Recommendations for Achieving the Best Performance 4
4Your FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender 4
5Connecting the FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender 6
5.1 Wiring the CAT 5 LINE IN / LINE OUT RJ-45 Connectors 7
6Technical Specifications 8
Figures
Figure 1: FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender 4
Figure 2: FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender Underside 5
Figure 3: Connecting the FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender 6
Figure 4: CAT 5 PINOUT 7
Tables
Table 1: FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender Features 5
Table 2: FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender Underside Features 5
Table 3: CAT 5 PINOUT 7
Table 4: Technical Specifications of the FC-50 8

Introduction
1
1
1 Introduction
Welcome to Kramer Electronics! Since 1981, Kramer Electronics has been
providing a world of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast
range of problems that confront video, audio, presentation, and broadcasting
professionals on a daily basis. In recent years, we have redesigned and
upgraded most of our line, making the best even better!
Our 1,000-plus different models now appear in 11 groups1
Thank you for purchasing the FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender,which is
ideal for controlling a single matrix switcher or other controllable device
from long distance.
that are clearly
defined by function.
The package includes the following items:
•One FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender unit
•Power supply (12V DC)
•This user manual2
2 Getting Started
We recommend that you:
•Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and
packaging materials for possible future shipment
•Review the contents of this user manual
•Use Kramer high-performance high-resolution cables3
1 GROUP 1: Distribution Amplifiers; GROUP 2: Switchers and Routers; GROUP 3: Control Systems; GROUP 4:
Format/Standards Converters; GROUP 5: Range Extenders and Repeaters; GROUP 6: Specialty AV Products; GROUP 7:
Scan Converters and Scalers; GROUP 8: Cables and Connectors; GROUP 9: Room Connectivity; GROUP 10: Accessories
and Rack Adapters and GROUP 11: Sierra Video Products
2 Download up-to-date Kramer user manuals from our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com
3 The complete list of Kramer cables is on our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Getting Started
2
2.1 Quick Start
This quick start chart summarizes the basic setup and operation steps.

Overview
3
3
3 Overview
The high-quality Kramer MultiTOOLS FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender can
connect either to a PC or to a device (for example, a switcher). By
connecting two units (purchased separately) via a CAT 5 cable, the PC can
control the switcher over a range of up to 1000 meters (3300 feet).
In particular, the FC-50 features:
•Bidirectional RS-232 operation
•The Power Connect feature
•A CONNECTION switch to select between a crossed and a straight
connection
•A PC/DEVICE pushbutton that is pressed or released if a device or a
PC, respectively, are connected to the RS-232 port
•12V DC power
3.1 About the Power Connect Feature
The Power Connect feature applies as long as the cable can carry power.
This feature is available when using STP cable and the distance does not
exceed 50m (164ft) on standard CAT 5 cable. For longer distances, heavier
gauge cable should be used (TP cable is still suitable for the video/audio
transmission, but not for feeding the power at these distances). For units
which are connected via RJ-45 connectors, make sure that the shield of the
STP cable is connected to the metal casing of the connectors on both ends
of the cable. For units which are connected via terminal block connectors,
the shield of the STP cable must be connected to a ground terminal on the
units at both ends (use the ground terminal of the power supply connection
if necessary).
For a TP cable exceeding a distance of 50m, separate power supplies should
be connected to the transmitter and to the receiver simultaneously.
3.2 Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) / Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
We recommend that you use Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cable, and stress
that the compliance to electromagnetic interference was tested using STP
cable. There are different levels of STP cable available, and we advise you
to use the best quality STP cable that you can afford. Our non-skew-free
cable, Kramer BC-STP is intended for analog signals where skewing is not
an issue.
In cases where there is skewing, our Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) skew-
free cable, Kramer BC-XTP, may be advantageous, and UTP cable might

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Your FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender
4
also be preferable for long range applications. In any event when using UTP
cable, it is advisable to ensure that the cable is installed far away from
electric cables, motors and so on, which are prone to create electrical
interference.
3.3 Recommendations for Achieving the Best Performance
To achieve the best performance:
•Use only good quality connection cables1
•Do not secure the cables in tight bundles or roll the slack into tight coils
to avoid interference,
deterioration in signal quality due to poor matching, and elevated noise
levels (often associated with low quality cables).
•Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances that may
adversely influence signal quality and position your Kramer FC-50
away from moisture, excessive sunlight and dust
4 Your FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender
Figure 1and Table 1define the FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender:
Figure 1: FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender
1 Available from Kramer Electronics on our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com

Your FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender
5
5
Table 1: FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender Features
#
Feature
Function
1 12V DC +12V DC connector for powering the unit
2 CAT 5 RJ-45 Connector Connect to
1
3
the CAT 5 RJ-45 connector on the other FC-50 unit
PC / DEVICE Button Press when a device is connected to the RS-232 port
Release when a PC is connected to the RS-232 port
4 RS-232 9-pin D-sub
Connector
Connects to either a PC or a device
PINs 2, 3 and 5 are passed through the device
5 GREEN=PC
RED=DEVICE LED Lights in green when the PC/DEVICE button is released and in red when the PC/DEVICE button is pressed
Figure 2and Table 2define the FC-50 underside:
Table 2: FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender Underside Features
Figure 2: FC-50 RS-232
Range Extender Underside
Feature Function
CROSSED /
STRAIGHT
CONNECTION Switch
Set to CROSSED for a crossed wire
connection2
Set to STRAGHT for a straight wire
connection between the RS-232 port and the
PC/device
between the RS-232 port and the
PC/device
1 Using a UTP CAT 5 cable with RJ-45 connectors at both ends (the PINOUT is defined in Table 3 and Figure 4)
2 PINs 2 and 3 (Rx and Tx) are crossed in the wiring between the 9-pin D-sub connectors

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Connecting the FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender
6
5 Connecting the FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender
To connect two FC-50 units, as illustrated in the example in Figure 3, do
the following:
1. Connect a PC to the RS-232 port of the first FC-50 unit and release the
PC/DEVICE button.
2. Connect the RS-232 port of the second FC-50 unit to a device (for example,
a switcher) and push in the PC/DEVICE button.
3. Connect the CAT 5 RJ-45 connector of the first unit to the CAT 5 RJ-45
connector of the second FC-50 unit via UTP cabling.
4. Set the CONNECTION switch independently on both units as follows:
STRAIGHT for a straight wire connection1
CROSSED for a crossed wire connection
between
the RS-232 port and the PC/device
2
5. Connect the 12V DC power adapter to the power socket on the FC-50 and
connect the adapter to the mains electricity (not illustrated in
between
the RS-232 port and the PC/device
Figure 3).
Figure 3: Connecting the FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender
1 For example, flat cable
2 Null modem

Connecting the FC-50 RS-232 Range Extender
7
7
5.1 Wiring the CAT 5 LINE IN / LINE OUT RJ-45 Connectors
Table 3and Figure 4define the UTP CAT 5 PINOUT, using a straight pin
to pin cable with RJ-45 connectors:
Table 3: CAT 5 PINOUT
Figure 4: CAT 5 PINOUT
EIA /TIA 568B
PIN
Wire Color
1 Orange / White
2 Orange
3 Green / White
4 Blue
5 Blue / White
6 Green
7 Brown / White
8 Brown

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Technical Specifications
8
6 Technical Specifications
The FC-50 technical specifications are shown in Table 4:
Table 4: Technical Specifications1
PORTS:
of the FC-50
RS-232 on a 9-pin D-sub connector2
BAUD RATES:
, 1 CAT 5 RJ-45 connector
Up to 115.2kbaud
DISPLAY: GREEN=PC/RED=DEVICE LED
OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0° to +55°C (32° to 131°F)
STORAGE TEMPERATURE: -45° to +72°C (-49° to 162°F)
HUMIDITY: 10% to 90%, RHL non-condensing
DIMENSIONS: 5.32cm x 7.25cm x 4.2cm (2.09" x 2.85" x 1.65"), W, D, H
POWER SOURCE: 12V DC, 42mA
WEIGHT: 0.3kg (0.67lbs) approx.
1 Specifications are subject to change without notice
2 Only PINs 2, 3, 5 on the RS-232 cable are valid

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Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
Web site: www.kramerelectronics.com
E-mail: [e-mail]
P/N: 2900-000333 REV 6
For the latest information on our products and a list of Kramer
distributors, visit our Web site: www.kramerelectronics.com
where updates to this user manual may be found.
We welcome your questions, comments and feedback.
Caution
Safety Warning:
Disconnect the unit from the power supply before
opening/servicing.
P/N:
2900- 000333
Rev:
6