
ADAM-4510I  Robust Isolated RS-422/485 Repeater
ADAM-4520I  Robust Isolated RS-232 to RS-422/485 Converter
STARTUP MANUAL
Packing List
Before you begin installing your module, please 
make sure that the following materials have been 
shipped:
  1 x ADAM-4510I or ADAM-4520I 
  1 x DIN-rail mounting bracket (attached) 
  1 x ADAM-4510I/4520I Startup Manual 
  1 x Panel mounting bracket 
If any of these items are missing/damaged, contact 
your distributor or sales representative immediately.
CE/FCC Certification
ADAM-4510I and ADAM-4520I developed by 
Advantech Co., Ltd. has passed the CE and FCC test 
for environmental specifications. The test conditions 
for passing including the equipment being operated 
within an industrial enclosure. Therefore, in order to 
protect the ADAM module from being damaged by 
ESD, we strongly recommend that the use of CEcompliant industrial enclosure products.
Overview
Most industrial computer systems come with RS232 serial ports. Though widely accepted, RS-232 
has limited transmission speed, range and networking capabilities. RS-422 and RS-485 standards overcome these limitations by using differential voltage 
lines for data and control signals. 
ADAM-4520I is isolated converter for systems originally equipped with RS-232. It transparently converts RS-232 signals into isolated RS-422 or RS485 signals. You don't need to change your PC's 
hardware or your software. The ADAM-4520I lets 
you easily build an industrial grade, long distance 
communication system with standard PC hardware. 
The ADAM-4510I repeaters simply amplify, or 
boost, existing RS-485 signals to enable them to 
cover longer distances. They extend the communication distance by 4000 ft (1200 m) or extend the 
number of connected nodes by 32. 
Notes
For more information on this and other Advantech 
products, please visit our websites at:
http://www.advantech.com
http://www.advantech.com/eAutomation
For technical support and service:
http://www.advantech.com.tw/eservice 
This manual is for ADAM-4510I and ADAM-4520I.
Part No: 2003451010 (1st Ed)  May 2006   
Industrial Design
Intelligent RS-485 Control             
The RS-485 standard supports half-duplex communication. This means that just two wires are needed 
to both transmit and receive data. Handshaking signals (such as RTS, Request to Send) are normally 
used to control the direction of the data flow. A special I/O circuit in ADAM-4510I and ADAM-4520I 
automatically senses the direction of the data flow 
and switches the transmission direction. No handshaking signals are necessary. So you can build an 
RS-485 network with just two wires. This RS-485 
control is completely transparent to the user. Software written for half-duplex RS-232 can work without modification. 
Isolation                     
ADAM-4510I and ADAM-4520I's opto-isolators 
provide 3000 VDC isolation to protect the host computer from ground loops and destructive voltage 
spikes on the RS-485 data lines. 
Surge Protection           
ADAM-4510I and 4520I offer internal surge protection on their data lines. Internal high speed transient 
suppressors on each data line protect the modules 
from dangerous voltages levels or spikes. 
Tough Industrial Design               
You can power ADAM-4510I and ADAM-4520 
with any unregulated power source between +10 
and +48 VDC. Their industrial-grade plastic shells 
can be mounted on a DIN-rail, panel or in a piggybacked stack. You make signal connections through 
plug-in screw terminal blocks, guaranteeing easy 
installation, maintenance and modification.
1  Startup Manual    

Features
• Automatic internal RS-485 bus supervision
• No external flow control signals required for RS-485 
• Minimum 3000 VDC isolation 
• Transient suppression on RS-485 data lines 
• Baud rate up to 115.2 kbps 
• Networking up to 4000 feet (1200 m)
• Reserved space for termination resistors 
• Power and data flow indicator for troubleshooting 
• Power requirement: +10 to +48 VDC 
• Mounts easily on DIN-rail or panel 
Specifications
Common                     
• Power Requirement: Unregulated +10 to +48 VDC 
with protection from power reversals 
• Case: ABS+PC with captive mounting hardware 
• Accessories (Supplied): DIN-rail Mounting Adapter, 
Panel Mounting Bracket 
• Plug-in Screw Terminal Wiring: Accepts AWG 1- 
#12 to #22 (0.5 to 2.5 mm) wires 
• Operating Temperature: -40 ~ 85° C (-40 ~ 185° F) 
• Storage Temperature: -40 ~ 85° C (-40 ~ 185° F) 
• Humidity: 5 ~ 95%, non-condensing
ADAM-4510I Specifications               
• Baud Rate (bps): 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19.2 k, 
38.4 k, 57.6 k, 115.2 k and RS-422 (switchable) 
• Isolation Voltage: 3000 VDC 
• RS-422/RS-485 Interface Connector:           
Plug-in screw terminal 
• Power Consumption: 1.4 W 
Switch Settings
Switch Description                     
DIP switches in the ADAM converter and repeater 
modules set the data format (number of bits) and baud 
rate for the ADAM network. You can configure the 
other modules in the network via software commands. 
Your program and the PC's serial port should match the 
settings of the converter and repeater modules. 
SW1 
Switch 1 controls the data format. Data can be 9, 10, 11 
or 12 bits. The factory default is 10 bits: one start bit, 
eight data bits, no parity bit and one stop bit.
When using the converter in combination with other 
ADAM modules, do not change the default setting as 
ADAM modules have a fixed data format of ten data 
bits. The option of changing to 9, 11 or 12 bits is for use 
with other modules (other than ADAM modules) that 
have different data formats. When you change the data 
format, you will have to change the data format settings 
on all the other modules in the network.
SW2 
Switch 2 sets the baud rate. The options range from 
1200 bps to 115.2 kbps. The factory default is 9600 bps. 
Be aware that when you change the baud rate, you have 
to change the baud rate for all the connected modules 
accordingly. If the RS-422 mode is ON, the baud rate 
doesn't need to be set. 
SW3 
Switch 3 sets the mode. When the mode is set “Nor-
mal”, the baud rate and data format will use SW1 and 
SW2 setting. When the mode is set “Auto Baud Rate 
with Noise Reduction”, the baud rate and data format 
will be set automatically. This mode also help reduce 
the noise. 
Note: There is only one ADAM-4510I or ADAM4520I module can be set in “Auto Baud Rate with 
Noise Reduction” mode in singe RS-485 network.
ADAM-4520I Specifications               
• Baud Rate (bps): 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19.2 k, 
38.4 k, 57.6 k, 115.2 k, RTS control and RS-422 
mode (switchable) 
• Isolation Voltage: 3000 VDC 
• RS-232 Interface Connector: Female DB-9
• RS-422/RS-485 Interface Connector:         
Plug-in screw terminal 
• Power Consumption: 1.2 W 
2  Startup Manual 
Data Format Settings (SW1) 
9 bits
10 bits
(default)
11 b its
12 bits

Baud Rate Settings (SW2)         
  ADAM-4520I RS-422/485 Converter Module
  ADAM-4510I Repeater Module
1200 bps
2400 bps
4800 bps
9600 bps 
(default)
19.2 kbps
38.4 kbps
57.6 kbps
RTS Control
1200 bps
2400 bps
4800 bps
9600 bps 
(default)
19.2 kbps
38.4 kbps
115.2 kbps 
/Auto 
Baud Rate
RS-422
57.6 kbps
115.2 kbps/ 
Auto Baud 
Rate
RS-422
Startup Manual  3

Mode Settings (SW3) 
Normal (default)
Auto Baud Rate 
with Noise 
Reduction
Note:Refer to the image below for the location of SW3 
SW3 
For shield ground use 
Communication Status          
There is one LED on the panel of ADAM-4510I and 
ADAM-4520I module. Its purpose is to show the communication status:
Communication Status LED Color
Idle green
RS-
RS-232 Î RS-485 flash (green)
485
RS-485 Î RS-232 flash (red) 
Idle dark green
RS-
RS-232 Î RS-422 flash (green)
422
RS-422 Î RS-232 flash (red)
The power cables should be selected according to the 
number of modules connected and the length of the 
power lines. When using a network with long cables, 
we advise the use of thicker wire to limit the line voltage drop. In addition to serious voltage drops, long voltage lines can also cause interference with 
communication wires.
Power Supply 
+10 ~ 48 V 
We advise that the following standard colors           
(As indicated on the modules) be used for power lines:
+Vs (R) Red 
GND (B) Black
Communication Wiring             
We recommend that shielded-twisted-pair cables that 
comply with the EIA RS-485 standard be used with the 
ADAM network to reduce interference. Only one set of 
twisted-pair cables is required to transmit both data and 
RTS signals. We advise that the following standard colors (as indicated on the modules) be used for the communication lines:
DATA + (Y) Yellow 
DATA - (G) Green
Basic Configuration                
Before placing a module in an existing network, the 
module should be properly configured. The two following diagrams show typical layouts for both modules:
Application Wiring
Power Supply                    
For easy use in industrial environments, the ADAM 
modules are designed to accept industry standard +24 
VDC unregulated power. Operation is guaranteed when 
using any power supply between +10 and +48 VDC. 
Power ripples must be limited to 5 V peak to peak while 
the voltage in all cases must be maintained between +10 
and +48 VDC. All power supply specifications are referenced at module connector.
4  Startup Manual 
        ADAM-4520I Converter Module