ABB SPBRC400

Description

Product Description

The ABB SPBRC400 is a high-performance Serial-to-Profibus Router and Communication Interface module, designed to act as a versatile gateway between serial communication networks and the widely used PROFIBUS DP industrial fieldbus. This device enables the seamless integration of a diverse range of serial-based equipment—such as barcode scanners, weighing scales, older PLCs, and modbus RTU devices—into a modern PROFIBUS DP control system Implementing the ABB SPBRC400 is a strategic solution for modernizing legacy installations, integrating third-party equipment, and extending the reach of a PROFIBUS network. Its robust design ensures reliable data conversion and transmission, making the ABB SPBRC400 a critical component for bridging communication protocols in heterogeneous automation environments.

Product Parameters

• Product Type: Serial to PROFIBUS DP Router / Gateway.
• PROFIBUS Interface: Operates as a PROFIBUS DP Slave, with configurable address and baud rate (up to 12 Mbps).
• Serial Interfaces: Features multiple serial ports (typically 2 or 4), configurable for RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 communication.
• Protocol Support: Supports a wide array of serial protocols, including Modbus RTU (Master/Slave), ASCII, Siemens 3964R, and user-definable custom protocols.
• Configuration: Configured via dedicated Windows-based software (e.g., SP-Configuration), allowing for mapping of serial data to PROFIBUS input/output words.
• Power Supply: Typically powered by 24V DC.
• Mounting: Designed for DIN-rail mounting in a standard control cabinet.
• Diagnostics: Comprehensive diagnostic LEDs for power, PROFIBUS status, and serial port activity.
• Memory: Includes non-volatile memory for storing configuration.

Advantages and Features

• Legacy System Integration: The primary strength of the ABB SPBRC400 is its ability to breathe new life into serial-based legacy devices by connecting them to a modern fieldbus network, protecting existing investments.
• Protocol Flexibility: Its support for numerous serial protocols makes it a universal gateway, capable of connecting a vast array of otherwise incompatible devices to a PROFIBUS DP network.
• Bidirectional Data Exchange: Enables full bidirectional communication, allowing the PROFIBUS master to both read data from and send commands to the serial devices.
• Simplified Network Architecture: Reduces wiring complexity by consolidating multiple serial point-to-point connections onto a single, high-speed PROFIBUS trunk line.
• Reliable and Robust: Industrial-grade construction ensures stable operation in electrically noisy environments, a critical factor for communication gateways.

Application Cases in Application Fields

• Automotive Assembly Line: Integrating serial-based robotic vision systems and barcode readers on a conveyor into a central Siemens S7-400 PLC via a PROFIBUS network for traceability and quality control.
• Warehouse Logistics: Connecting multiple RS-485 based Modbus RTU weighing scales on pallet conveyors to a main warehouse control system over PROFIBUS DP for automated weight checks.
• Water Treatment Plant: Linking older Modbus RTU-based chlorine analyzers and flow meters to a modern ABB AC 800M DCS, allowing for centralized monitoring and control without replacing field instruments.
• Packaging Machinery: Enabling a primary packaging machine PLC to communicate with a serial-only legacy inkjet printer for date/lot coding over the machine’s existing PROFIBUS backbone.

Comparisons with Competing Products

Competing products include similar gateways from manufacturers like Siemens (S7-300 CP 341 with PROFIBUS master), HMS Networks (Anybus X-Gateway), and ProSoft Technology. The ABB SPBRC400 distinguishes itself through its specific optimization for integration within ABB’s own control ecosystems (like AC 800M) and its strong reputation for reliability. Compared to using a standard PLC with a serial card to perform protocol conversion, the ABB SPBRC400 is a dedicated, off-the-shelf solution that is often simpler to configure and frees up the main controller’s resources. Its key advantage is offering a proven, pre-engineered solution for a common industrial integration challenge, with the backing of a major automation supplier.

Selection Suggestions and Precautions

1. Protocol Verification: Confirm that the ABB SPBRC400 explicitly supports the specific serial protocol (e.g., exact Modbus function codes) and baud rate used by the device you need to connect.
2. Data Mapping Planning: Carefully plan the mapping of serial data registers to PROFIBUS input/output words in the configuration software. Understand the data structure of the serial device to ensure correct mapping.
3. PROFIBUS Network Design: Ensure the additional data load from the gateway fits within the PROFIBUS cycle time requirements of the master. Set a unique PROFIBUS node address for the ABB SPBRC400.
4. Cable Termination: For RS-485 networks, proper termination and biasing resistors at both ends of the serial line are crucial for reliable communication. Follow the installation guidelines meticulously.

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