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P/N: 1802001420624
TCF-142 Quick Installation Guide
Thirteenth Edition, January 2015
Overview
Introduction
TCF-142 series converters are equipped wit h a multip le interf ace
circuit that can handle RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 serial inter faces,
as well as multi-mod e or sin gle-mode f iber. TCF-142 converters are
used to extend serial transmission distance up to 5 km (TCF-142-M,
with multi-mode f iber) or up to 40 km (TCF-142-S, wit h single-mode
fiber). The TCF-142 must be configured to transmit a particular
serial interface. You cannot transmit both RS-232 and RS-485
signals at the same time.
Why Convert Serial to Fiber?
Fiber communication not only extends the communication distance,
but also provides many advantage ous features.
IMMUNITY FROM ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE: Fib er is not
affected by electromagnetic interference or radio frequency
interference. It provides a clean communication path and is immune
to cross-talk.
INSULATION: Opti cal fiber is an insu lator; the glass fibe r
eliminates the need for using electric curren ts as the communication
medium.
SECURITY: Fiber cannot be tappe d by conventional electric means
and is very difficult to tap into optically.
RELIABILITY & MAINTENANCE: Fiber is im mune to a dverse
temperature and moisture conditions, does not corrode or lose its
signal, and is not a ffected by short c ircuits, power surges, or stat ic
electric ity.
Reverse Power Protection
The Reverse Power Protection feature provides extra protection
against accidentally connecting the po wer cables to the wron g
terminal. The converter automatically detects which power wire is
positive and which is negative.
Ring Mode
To allow one half-dup lex seria l device t o commu nicate w ith mu ltiple
half-dup lex devices connected t o a fiber ring, you sh ould configure
the TCF-142 for “ring mode” by settin g DIP switch “SW4” to the “On”
position. The Tx port of a partic ular TCF-142 unit connects to the
neighboring converter’s Rx port on the ring. Note that when one
node transmits a signal, the signal travels around
the ring until it returns back to
the transmitting unit, which
then blocks the signal.
should ensure that the total
fiber ring length is less than
100 km
TCF-142-S) or multi -mode
To avoid problem s when se tting u p a fiber ring, e ach
TCF-142 unit making up the ring must be powered down and
set to “Ring mode.” Next, make sure all cables are
connected properly, and the n pow
“Ring Mode” can only be used with half-duplex ap plicat ions
(i.e., RS-485 multi-drop communication ).
DIP Switch Selectable Terminator
The TCF-142’s termination resistor is set with a DIP switch located
on the outside of the converter’s casing.
No Configuration Required for Baudrate Settings
The TCF-142 is compat ible wit h any baudrate from 50 bps to 921.6
Kbps. The TCF-142 automatically converts the signal back and forth
between serial (RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485) and fiber, and does not
need to interpret the signal or the baudrate of the transmitting
device. For this reason, the TCF-142 does not have any DIP switches
or jumpers for setting the baudrate.
Features
• “Ring” or “Po int to Po int” transmission
• Extend RS-232/422/485 transmission distance:
up to 40 km with sing le-mode—TCF-142-S Series
up to 5 km with multi- mode—TCF-142-M Series
• Compact s ize
• Decrease signal interference
• Protect against electronic degradation and chemical corrosion
• Supports baudrates up to 921.6 Kbps
• Extended operating temperature from -40 to 75°C (for “T”
models)
Package Checklist
Before ins talling the TCF-142, verify that the package contains the
followin g items:
• 1 TCF-142 media converter
• Power jack to 3-pin t ermina l block a daptor
• Stick-on pads
• Quick ins tallatio n guide (pr inted)
• Warranty card
NOTE: Please notify your sales representative if any of the above
items are missi ng or damage d.
Dimensions and Appearance
TCF-142 fiber converters are easy to set up and use. The serial
terminal block of one of the converters connects to your computer,
the serial terminal block of the other converter connects to your
serial device, and the two converters are connected by fiber
cable(s).
NOTE Electrostatic Discharge Warning!
To protect the product from damage due to electrostatic
discharge, we recommend we aring a grounding dev ice
when handling your TCF-142.
Wiring Examples
Connecting the Power Supply
Before using the TCF-142, first connect the DC power supply to the
power supply terminal block located on the TCF-142’s b ottom panel.

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Connecting RS-422 and 4-wire RS-485 Serial Devices
Connecting 2-wire RS-485 Serial Devices
Connecting an RS-232 Serial D evice to a PC
Switch Settings
Serial
This switch setting is used for product revision 3.2 or later;
for previous
label on the product's rear
panel for the correct information.
Two additional DIP
switches (SW1 an d SW2)
are located inside the
TCF-142. These switche s
are used to configure the
pull high/low resistors.
Note that SW1 and SW2
must both be configured
to ON or both must be
configured to OFF.
* These DIP switches are located inside the TCF-142.
We recommend setting SW1 and SW2 to the 1K option
(ON/ON) when termination is enabled.
LED Description
There are 3 LEDs on the front panel of the TCF-142.
Blinking when fiber is transmitting data
Blinking when fibe r is receiv ing data
Specifications
Model Names TCF-142-M-ST
TCF-142-M-SC
TCF-142-S-ST
TCF-142-M-ST-T
TCF-142-M-SC-T
TCF-142-S-ST-T
TxD+, TxD-, RxD+, RxD-, SG ND
Signals f or 4-wire
RS-485
TxD+, TxD-, RxD+, RxD-, SG ND
Distance TCF-142-S series:
Single mode fibe r for 40 km
TCF-142-M series:
Multi mo de fiber for 5 km
Cable Spe cificat ions TCF-142-S series:
8.3/125, 8.7/125, 9/125 or 10/125 μm
TCF-142-M series:
50/125, 62.5/125, or 100/140 μm
TCF-142-S series: 1310 nm
TCF-142-M series: 850 nm
TCF-142-S series: > -5 dBm
TCF-142-M series: > -5 dBm
TCF-142-S series: -25 dBm
TCF-142-M series: -20 dBm
0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F), 5 to 9 5 % RH
Extended Operating
Temperature (T models)
-40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F)
Storage Temperature
-40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F), 5 t o 95 % RH
1 KV Burst (EFT), EN61000-4-4
1 KV Surge, EN61000-4-5
Protects against V+/V- reversal
Over Current Protection Protects against 2 signals shorted
Dimensions 67 x 100 x 22 mm
90 x 100 x 22 mm (inc luding ea rs)
FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class B, EN 55022
Class B
EN61000-4-2 (ESD) , Criter ia B, Level 2
EN61000-4-3 (RS), Criteria B, Level 2
EN61000-4-4 (EFT), Criter ia B, Level 2
EN61000-4-5 (Surge ), Crite ria B, Le vel 2
EN61000-4-6 (CS), Criteria B, Level 2