DS200SIOCG1A | GE PLC 4-20mA Serial Converter Fast Ship

Description

Product Core Brief

• Model: DS200SIOCG1A
• Brand: General Electric (GE)
• Series: Mark V DS200
• Core Function: Current loop serial communication for long distances
• Product Type: 4-20mA Serial I/O Board (4 channels)
• Key Specs: 4 x 4–20 mA current loop | 1200 baud | 5000 ft range | Isolated
• Condition: New Original.

Product Introduction

The DS200SIOCG1A is a 4–20 mA current loop serial communication board for GE’s Mark V DS200 series, used in Speedtronic turbine control systems. It converts standard RS-232 serial signals to 4–20 mA current loops for long-distance communication up to 5000 feet (1500 meters).

Standard RS-232 is limited to 50 feet (15 meters). The SIOCG1A extends that to 5000 feet by encoding serial data as a 4–20 mA current signal, which is immune to voltage drop and noise over long cable runs. Use it to connect remote operator interfaces, printers, or PLCs located in different buildings or distant equipment skids. Four independent channels support up to four remote devices.

Key Technical Specifications

Key Selling Points & Differentiators

• 5000 ft (1500 m) communication range – 100x longer than standard RS-232 (50 ft). Connect to remote equipment in different buildings or across large sites.
• 4–20 mA current loop – Immune to voltage drop and electrical noise. Reliable in industrial environments with VFDs, motors, and welding equipment.
• 4 independent isolated channels – Each channel has its own 24 V loop power supply and isolation. A short on one channel does not affect others.
• Simple wiring – Two wires per channel (loop+ and loop-). No specialized cable required—use standard shielded twisted pair.
• RS-232 compatibility – Connects to standard DB9 serial ports via included breakout cable. No special drivers or software.
• Switchable baud rate – DIP switches select 300, 600, or 1200 baud. Set to match remote device.
• Loop power supplied by board – 24 VDC per channel (40 mA max). No external power supply needed for the current loop.
• QC includes 5000 ft cable simulation test – 24-hour test with simulated 5000 ft cable (500Ω loop resistance), zero bit errors.
• 2-year warranty

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between standard RS-232 (SIOB) and 4–20 mA serial (SIOC)?

Q: What is the maximum data rate?
A: 1200 baud. Current loop serial is slower than RS-232 due to bandwidth limitations of the 4–20 mA signal (20 mA step response time approx 1 ms). For higher speeds, use RS-485 (SIOB) with shorter distances (1000 ft at 115.2 kbps). Use SIOC for long distance with low data rate (printer, operator interface).

Q: How do I calculate maximum cable length?
A: The board supplies 24 VDC. The receiver requires at least 5 V at 20 mA (250Ω burden). Maximum loop resistance = (24 V – 5 V) / 0.02 A = 950Ω. Subtract 250Ω receiver = 700Ω for cable. 18 AWG copper has 6.4Ω per 1000 ft (round trip = 12.8Ω). 700Ω / 12.8Ω per 1000 ft = 54,000 ft theoretical. Practical limit: 5000 ft due to signal integrity (capacitance).

Q: Can I use existing 4–20 mA instrumentation cable?
A: Yes—the board is compatible with standard 4–20 mA instrumentation cable (shielded twisted pair). However, do not run the serial current loop in the same cable as process 4–20 mA signals (cross-talk may occur). Use separate cable or keep 6-inch separation.

Q: How do I wire a remote RS-232 device?
A: At the remote end, you need a 4–20 mA to RS-232 converter (GE part ACC-SIOC-RMT, sold separately). The converter receives 4–20 mA loop power from the board, decodes the current signal back to RS-232, and provides a DB9 connector for the device. One converter per channel.

Q: The board has 4 channels. Can I use only 2?
A: Yes. Unused channels can be left disconnected. No termination required. Power LEDs for unused channels will remain off.

Q: What QC tests are specific to the SIOCG1A?
A: Nine tests:

1. Loop current accuracy: 4.00 mA and 20.00 mA per channel, error <±0.1 mA
2. Maximum cable simulation: 5000 ft (500Ω loop resistance), 1200 baud, 24 hours, zero bit errors
3. Isolation: channel-to-channel at 1800 VAC; channel-to-backplane at 1800 VAC
4. Baud rate accuracy: 300, 600, 1200 baud, error <±1%
5. RS-232 compatibility: loopback test via converter, 1 million bytes, zero errors
6. Loop power voltage: 24 V ±5% per channel at 20 mA
7. Short-circuit protection: short loop+ to loop-, current limits to <30 mA, auto-recovery
8. LED test: all TX/RX LEDs
9. Burn-in: 72 hours at +65°C, all channels at 1200 baud continuous, 500Ω loop resistance

Q: What shipping protection?
A: Anti-static bag, ESD foam cradle, double-wall box with “ESD SENSITIVE,” “FRAGILE” labels. Breakout cable (26-pin to 4 x DB9) in separate bag. DIP switch configuration guide laminated. Spare termination resistors (250Ω) included. Each board ships individually. Remote converters not included (order separately).

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