RJ45 is not automatically Ethernet; it is simply a connector jack...
HoldenC said:
...the 1747-uic, does it allow you to connect a serial cable or a rj45 connector ?...
As I explained...
Geospark said:
...You would need a 1747-UIC interface and 1747-C13 cable...This is a USB to DH-485 interface...It can connect to DH-485 devices via either RS-232 or RS-485 wiring. For the RJ45 port on an SLC it is using RS-485 wiring.
...for the 1747-UIC you have two options for connecting to DH-485 protocol configured devices. Its 9-pin standard serial port is its RS-232 port and is of course using RS-232 wiring. Its 8-pin RJ45 port is its RS-485 port and is of course using RS-485 wiring. Both ports "talk" the DH-485 protocol language, but use different wiring standards to communicate. So you have the option of using either the RS-232 (DH-485) port or the RS-485 (DH-485) port.
So you use whichever port is required to connect to the DH-485 device at hand. In your case, as it's an SLC native DH-485 port (RJ45); you use the RS-485 (DH-485) port on the 1747-UIC with a 1747-C13 cable (RJ45 - RJ45).
HoldenC said:
...the 1747 c13, is it just a cat5 or 6 cable? If so, is it straight through, or crossover ?
I would like to categorically answer these two questions as "No" & "No", in case you are now thinking it's as good as a straight through Ethernet cable.
The 1747-C13 closely resembles an Ethernet cable, and a straight through Ethernet cable at that. But it is not.
A straight through Ethernet cable has all 8 pins populated straight through from 1-1 through 8-8. The 1747-C13 has all pins populated straight through except pins 3-3 ( BROWN +24 VDC) and 6-6 (DRAIN EARTH GND). These two are missing.
While the 1747-C13 cable having these pins missing is more to do with the cable not being able to do certain "AB things", it is still important to make this distinction here.
As has been pointed out to you, you should never use an Ethernet crossover cable with the UIC interface. The RS-485 (DH-485) port on the UIC will be irreparably damaged if connected to certain devices.
Also, one cannot foretell all of the DH-485 capable devices that one might connect the 1747-UIC interface.
For these reasons, I would always advise users to NOT get into the habit of using Ethernet cable replacements where it is expressly stated by AB to NOT do so. This is not because they want to sell you more cables, but more to save your equipment in the future.
It is too easy for users to have a couple of Ethernet cables in the "bag" and quickly whip one out when in a hurry, whenever they see an RJ45 port, without thinking first. One could grab a crossover cable all too easily. If you are always thinking "...sure it's OK...if this Ethernet cable doesn't work I'll just grab another until it does work..." then you run the risk of doing harm.
Whereas, if you start out with the thinking that you must use the correct cable with 1747-UIC, and know it to be the 1747-C13, or equivalent, then you should not go wrong.
I say equivalent because you can also use any other equivalent AB cable, or indeed make your own.
While an Ethernet straight through cable may be used to replace the 1747-C13 cable when used with the 1747-UIC and certain devices, such as SLC controllers, there may be situations where the pins 3-3 and 6-6 could potentially connect two devices together in a manner unintended.
If purchasing a 1747-UIC, or some of the very good alternatives, such as Mark's (geniusintraining), then I would always recommend you also purchase and have the 1747-C13, or equivalent alternative to hand.
Regards,
George