GE

Grid Solutions

F485
Communications Converter

Instruction Manual
F485 Communications Converter
Manual P/N: 1601-0073-A5
GE publication code: GEK-119569A

LISTED

*1601-0073-A5*
 Copyright © 2017 GE Multilin Inc. All rights reserved.
GE Multilin F485 Communications Converter Instruction Manual.
Digital Energy, Multilin, and GE Multilin are trademarks or registered trademarks of GE
Multilin Inc.
The contents of this manual are the property of GE Multilin Inc. This documentation is
furnished on license and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the permission
of GE Multilin. The content of this manual is for informational use only and is subject to
change without notice.
Part number: 1601-0073-A5 (September 2017)

Revision history
Release Dates
Part No. Revision Release Date
1601-0073-A3 1.0x April 2003
1601-0073-A4 1.0x July 2013
1601-0073-A5 1.0x September 2017

Major Updates for A5

Page Changes
Cover Manual revision from A4 to A5; Branding, format, and colors updated
to GE Grid Solutions; Bar code, 10 year warranty, UL logo added
Page 1 Warranty information updated
General Branding and colors throughout updated to GE Grid Solutions

Major Updates for A4

Page Changes
Cover Manual revision from A3 to A4; Contact information updated
Page 1 Removed 220 VAC model from Features list, and some images
Page 8 Removed contact information (also on cover)
 Introduction

Features
• Converts between RS232, RS485 or Fiber
• 1200 to 57600 baud rates
• Isolated RS485 interface
• 50/125µm, 62.5/125µm, and 100/140µm fiber sizes
• Front panel LEDs for power, RS232 Rx/Tx, and RS485 Rx/Tx
• Two possible mounting arrangements
• 120 V AC adapter included (ANOMA AEC-3590 or other listed direct plug-in Class 2
power supply rated maximum 9 V DC output).
• Additional power supply terminals supplied to accept isolated 9 V AC / 9 V DC
• Two interface cables provided (9 pin - 9 pin, 9-pin - 25 pin)
• Suitable for use with direct or modem communications.
• E83849 UL Listed for the USA and Canada

Contact information
For product support, contact the information and call center as follows:
GE Grid Solutions
650 Markland Street
Markham, Ontario
Canada L6C 0M1
Worldwide telephone: +1 905 927 7070
Europe/Middle East/Africa telephone: +34 94 485 88 54
North America toll-free: 1 800 547 8629
Fax: +1 905 927 5098
Worldwide e-mail: multilin.tech@ge.com
Europe e-mail: multilin.tech.euro@ge.com
Website: http://www.gegridsolutions.com/multilin

Warranty
For products shipped as of 1 October 2013, GE warrants most of its GE manufactured
products for 10 years. For warranty details including any limitations and disclaimers, see
our Terms and Conditions at https://www.gegridsolutions.com/multilin/warranty.htm
For products shipped before 1 October 2013, the standard 24-month warranty applies.

F485 COMMUNICATIONS CONVERTER – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 1

 Typical Configurations
Figure 1: RS232 to RS485 connection

805753A3.CDR

2 F485 COMMUNICATIONS CONVERTER – INSTRUCTION MANUAL

 Figure 2: RS232 to FIBER and FIBER to RS485

805754A3.CDR

F485 COMMUNICATIONS CONVERTER – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 3

 Order code

Connections
Figure 3: Connections

RS232 RS485
The RS232 connector on the F485 converter accepts a The RS485 terminals accept a standard shielded twisted
standard 9-pin computer cable. See wiring diagram for pin pair (such as Beldon 9841) and provide connections for a
assignments. "+", "-" and a shield. The RS485 terminals have a
terminating network installed internally and therefore, no
external terminating network is required. Observe correct

RS232 FIBER OPTIC RS485 POWER POWER POWER JACK

Connect the supplied power
adapter to this input if power is not
supplied via the terminals. The
power adapter steps down
120/220 VAC to 9 VAC.
COMPUTER Tx Rx 1 2 3 4 5 6 9V
+ - COM GND + - AC/DC

FIBER POWER TERMINALS

The fiber input/output will accept 50/125, 62.5/125 and
100/140um fiber sizes using ST terminated cables. Care
should be taken when removing the protective caps to
prevent dust from entering the connectors.
The power terminals accept either 9 VAC or 9 VDC to power
the F485 converter instead of using the power adapter. The
GND terminal must be connected to ground to ensure
adaquate protection against transients. Pin 4 is the main
transient ground for the converter.

805700A1.CDR

4 F485 COMMUNICATIONS CONVERTER – INSTRUCTION MANUAL

 Configuration
The converter box is configured via two internal dip switch banks which are accessible by
removing the converter box cover. Switches A1-A8 are used to set the baud rate for RS485
communications and determine whether the converter is DTE (RS232 direct) or DCE (RS232
modem). Switches B1-B6 are used to select the interface type. The designator for each
switch is clearly marked on the printed circuit board. The tables shown provide a
description of each switch within the switch banks.
Table 1: Switch A (baud rates)
BAUD A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7
1200 ON OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF
2400 OFF ON OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF
4800 OFF OFF ON OFF OFF OFF OFF
9600 OFF OFF OFF ON OFF OFF OFF
19200 OFF OFF OFF OFF ON OFF OFF
38400 OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF ON OFF
57600 OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF ON

Table 2: Switch A (DTE/DCE)

MODE A8
DTE OFF
DCE ON

Table 3: Switch B (configuration)

CONFIGURATION B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
RS232 TO RS485 OFF ON OFF ON OFF OFF
RS232 TO FIBER OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON
RS485 TO FIBER ON OFF ON OFF OFF OFF

Baud rates
Two-wire RS485 is half duplex and requires a means for switching between a receive or
transmit state. The F485 converter uses the incoming data to control the direction and
therefore requires no control signals from the master device (RS232 or fiber) to switch from
transmit to receive mode after the last character has been transmitted. The baud rate
switches control the length of time that the RS485 transmitter will remain in the transmit
direction after the last character has been transmitted. The length of time is fixed at 3.5
character times at the selected baud rate making it suitable for use with Modbus® RTU
protocol. When converting RS232 to FIBER, these switches (A1-7) have no effect.

F485 COMMUNICATIONS CONVERTER – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 5

 DTE/DCE control
The DTE/DCE setting reverses the transmit/receive data lines on the RS232 side. For
communications between a computer and a slave device, DTE (direct) should be selected.
When connecting the F485 converter to a modem or other data communications
equipment, DCE should be selected. Another application which requires DCE is when two
F485 converters are connected back-to-back i.e. converting RS232 to RS485 or fiber and
then converting the RS485 or fiber back to RS232. In this case, the second F485 must be
set to DCE control.
Selecting switch settings other than those shown above will cause unpredictable results.

Fiber optic transmitter/receiver (optional)

Fiber optic transmissions provide an ideal solution for areas where RS485 communications
via a twisted pair have traditionally caused problems. Fiber is immune to electrical
interference and provides total isolation.
The fiber optic transmitter and receiver used in the F485 converter utilize 820nm
wavelength technology and are designed to operate with 50/125µm, 62.5/125µm and
100/140µm fiber sizes using ST terminated cables. The ST connections provide repeatable
connections within 0.2 dB typically. The transmitter/receiver pair will typically work with
fiber lengths up to 1km.
Ensure the dust covers are installed when the fiber is not in use. Dirty or scratched
connectors can lead to high losses on a fiber link.

Observing the transmitter output under magnification may cause injury to the eye.
Installation

Mounting
Two different mounting arrangements are possible. The first is by using the two mounting
holes inside the plastic case along with the mounting screws supplied. To remove the
plastic top, simply press in the two plastic tabs on either end of the box and then pull off
the top. The second and less permanent method is to use the Velcro material supplied for
attachment to the side of a computer or desk. Where possible, ensure that the LEDs on the
front panel are visible. The LEDs are a very valuable tool when troubleshooting a problem.

6 F485 COMMUNICATIONS CONVERTER – INSTRUCTION MANUAL

 Wiring
Figure 4: Wiring diagram

ISOLATED
RS485 TERMINATION
CONVERTER AND LINE BIAS
BAUD RATE
SWITCHES DIRECTION

TIMER
DATA
+ 1

RS485
- 2 TO RELAYS

SHIELD 3 SR489 STATUS

SR489 IN SERVICE
GENERATOR STATUS
BREAKER OPEN
OUTPUT RELAYS
R1 TRIP

SETPOINT ACCESS BREAKER CLOSED R2 AUXILIARY

COMPUTER RS232 HOT STATOR R3 AUXILIARY

GND 4
COMPUTER RS485 NEG. SEQUENCE R4 AUXILIARY

AUXILIARY RS485 GROUND R5 ALARM

ALT. SETPOINTS LOSS OF FIELD R6 SERVICE

RESET
VT FAILURE
POSSIBLE RESET

MESSAGE NEXT BREAKER FAILURE

PROGRAM PORT SETPOINT

7 8 9
MESSAGE

ACTUAL
4 5 6

ESCAPE 1 2 3
VALUE

ENTER . 0 HELP

GE MULTILIN
RS485 e 489 Generator Management Relay TM

F485 CONVERTER LED Rx

RS485
LED Tx ST
CONFIGURATION CONNECTOR
SWITCH Tx

FIBER
DATA

Rx
RS232 50/125 um fiber

` ` `
LED Rx 62.5/125 um fiber
5 + VOLTAGE 100/140 um fiber
INPUT RS232
6 - 9VAC/9VDC LED Tx
RS232 INTERFACE
DTE/DCE F485 COMPUTER
RELAY 1 1 8
DATA RS232 TXD 2 2 3 TXD
DRIVER
RXD 3 3 2 RXD

4 4 20

SGND 5 5 7 SGND
DTE/DCE
+5V
POWER SUPPLY SWITCH 6 6 6

7 7 4
~ + 5V +5V
9VAC/ 8 8 5
9VDC POWER
POWER 9VDC 9 9 20
JACK
~ -
9 PIN
CONNECTOR
25 PIN
CONNECTOR

COMPUTER
120/220 VAC
RS232
9VAC

POWER ADAPTER

805752A9.CDR

F485 COMMUNICATIONS CONVERTER – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 7

 Dimensions
Figure 5: Dimensions

805750A5.CDR

8 F485 COMMUNICATIONS CONVERTER – INSTRUCTION MANUAL