Overall Description

The PowerFlex 4, 40 & 400 range of drives features a built in RS485 serial port (Drive Serial Interface) to enable
the drive to connect to peripherals and communication adapters.

This application note describes what type of cables are used for different peripherals etc.

Cabling Accessories

The RS485 serial port utilises an RJ45 style of plug, which is identical to that used on an EtherNet connection.
As using an EtherNet patch cable can cause problems, a range of cabling accessories have been produced.

AK-U0-RJ45-TB2P
Two position terminal block RJ45 plug
Packet of 5 plugs contains 2 loose terminating
resistors. (1 resistor at each end of the network)
AK-U0-RJ45-TR1
RS-485 terminating resistor RJ45 plug
AK-U0-RJ45-SC1
DSI splitter cable RJ45 plug
22-RJ45CBL-C20
2m DSI cable

The PowerFLex Drive senses the type of cable plugged into the
RJ45 port, and sets the comms accordingly:
Full RJ45 type of plug using either a 20-RJ45CBL-C20, or Splitter, or EtherNet cable
to DSI mode at fixed baud rate of 19200
AK-U0-RJ45-TB2P
Drive needs baud rate set to 19200, and format RTU 8-N-1

Therefore the splitter should only be used for peripherals such as HIM units, or serial interfaces.

The 2 position terminal block should be used to connect a drive to a drive.

A termination resistor (supplied in the packet) should be screwed into the terminals as
shown (if needed at the end of the network).

IMPORTANT: An EtherNet patch cable or 22-RJ45CBL-C20 should never be used

to connect a drive to another drive. Using this type of cable in a drive to drive
connection will damage a drive!

Distribution: Related to:

x Open Inverter Use Generated by D.J.Withenshaw
Rockwell Offices x Options Use Date 26/10/2005
Drives Team Application Experience
Revision A
_________________(Name) only

Page 1 of 3
 Using a splitter
A splitter should generally be used to connect peripherals to a drive

DSI cables should generally be restricted to

10m max (x2 for the splitter).

If a longer cable than the 22-RJ45CBL-C20 is

required, then Sheilded EtherNet patch cable
(STP cat 5) can be used for peripherals only!

Control via DSI / Modbus RTU

When controlling drives in a multi-drive mode, then the AK-U0-RJ45-TB2P two position terminal block and
twisted pair cable should be used.
In order to encourage correct cabling practice, splitters should not be used with drives connected in multi-
drive mode.

User supplied Twisted pair

cable

Multi-drive mode occurs when the PowerFlex40 drive has a communication adapter, which then controls up
to 4 additional drives. Care should be taken to ensure that the ends of the Modbus rtu cable is terminated
with a 120 Ohm resistor.
i.e. first and last drive only.

The CompactLogix 1769-SM2 is able to control PowerFlex4/40 drives in 3 different ways:

DSI mode with 1 drive per channel
DSI mode with up to 5 drives per channel
Modbus rtu mode channels

Distribution: Related to:

x Open Inverter Use Generated by D.J.Withenshaw
Rockwell Offices x Options Use
Date 26/10/2005
Drives Team Application Experience
Revision A
_________________(Name) only

Page 2 of 3
Each channel on the 1769-SM2 already contains a terminator, so no additional terminators should be installed
at the 1769-SM2.

PowerFlex4/40
CompactLogix
1769-SM2

22-RJ45CBL-C20

AK-U0-RJ45-TB2P or
No terminator

PowerFlex4/40

AK-U0-RJ45-TB2P
Two Position Terminal Block

User Supplied Twisted pair cable AK-U0-RJ45-TB2P

With terminator

By putting the communication adapter in the 22-XCOMM-DC-BASE, up to 5 PowerFlex4’s can be controlled in

multi-drive mode.

DeviceNet, ControlNet, EtherNet/IP, & Profibus DP

with 120 ohm

terminating
resistor

User Supplied Twisted pair cable

with 120 ohm
terminating
Or for 1 drive only resistor

Up to 5 PowerFlex 4-Class drives can be connected

22-RJ45CBL-C20

Distribution: Related to:

x Open Inverter Use Generated by D.J.Withenshaw
Rockwell Offices x Options Use Date 26/10/2005
Drives Team Application Experience
Revision A
_________________(Name) only

Page 3 of 3