Moxa Technologies TCF-142-M-ST, TCF-142-M-SC, TCF-142-M-SC-T, TCF-142-S-ST, TCF-142-S-ST-T Quick Installation Manual

P/N: 1802001420625

*1802001420625*

TCF-142

Quick Installation Guide

Edition 14.0, November 2015

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2015 Moxa Inc. All rights reserved.

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Overview

Introduction

TCF-142 series converters are equipped w ith a multiple inte r f a c e c ircuit
that can handle RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 serial interfaces, as well as
multi-mode or single-mode fiber. TCF-142 converters are used to extend
serial transmission distance up to 5 km (TCF-142-M, with multi-mode
fiber) or up to 40 km (TCF-142-S, with 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 advantageous features.

IMMUNITY FROM ELECTRICAL INTERFERENC E: Fiber is not affected
by electromagnetic interference or radio frequency interference. It
provides a clean communication path and is immune to cross-talk.

INSULATION: Optical fiber is an insulator; the glass fiber eliminates the
need for using electric currents as the communication medium.

SECURITY: Fiber cannot be tapped by conventional electric means and is
very difficult to tap into optically.

RELIABILITY & MAINTENANCE: Fiber is immune to adverse
temperature and moisture conditions, d oes not corrode o r lose its signal,
and is not affected by short circuits, power surges, or static electricity.

Reverse Power Protection

The Reverse Power Protection feature provides extra protection against
accidentally connecting the power cables to th e wrong terminal. The
converter automatically detects which power w ire is positive and which is
negative.

Ring Mode

To allow one half-duplex serial device to communicate with multiple
half-duplex devices connected to a fiber ring, you should configure the
TCF-142 for “ring mode” by setting DIP switch “SW4” to the “On” position.
The Tx port of a particular 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.

Users should

ensure that the total fiber ring
length is less than 100 km when
using

either single-mode

models

(

TCF-142-S) or multi-mode

m

odels (TCF-142-M).

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ATTENTION

For Fiber Ring Users:

To avoid problems when setting up a fiber ring, each 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

then power up all devices connected to the ring .

NOTE

“Ring Mode” can only be used with half-duplex applications (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 c ompat ible w ith any baudrate from 50 bps to 921.6 kbps.
The TCF-142 automatically converts the signal back and f ort h 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 switch es or jumpers for
setting the baudrate.

Features

• “Ring” or “Point to Point” transmission

• Extend RS-232/422/485 transmission distance:

 up to 40 km with single-mode—TCF-142-S Series
 up to 5 km with multi-mode—TCF-142-M Series

• Compact size

• 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 installing the TCF-142, verify that the package contains the
following items:

• 1 TCF-142 media converter

• Power jack to 3-pin terminal block adaptor

• Stick-on pads

• Quick installation guide (printed)

• Warranty card

NOTE: Please notify your sales representative if any of the above items
are missing or damaged.