The I/O Network; Wire Types; Network Configuration (Daisy Chains); Maximum # Of Boards On A Daisy Chain - Emerson MultiFlex Series Installation And Operation Manual

3

The I/O Network

All MultiFlex boards and controllers use an
RS485 network connection to communicate with
Einstein and REFLECS site controllers. Techni-
cians who are familiar with CPC's previous gen-
eration 16AI, 8IO, and ARTC boards will find
the network setup procedure for the MultiFlex
boards to be very much the same.

3.1. Wire Types

CPC specs Belden #8641 shielded twisted
pair cables for use as I/O network wiring (or
Belden #82641 and Belden #88641 for plenum
installations).
If the recommended cable is not available in
your area, be sure the wiring meets or exceeds
the following specs:
Shielded?
Conductor Type
Gauge
Capacitance between
signal wires
Capacitance between
signal and shield
Nominal Impedance
Table 3-1 - RS485 I/O Network Wiring Specifications
3.2. Network Configuration
(Daisy Chains)
The RS485 Input/Output (I/O) network is
wired in a daisy-chain configuration. In a daisy
chain, boards are wired together in series with no
branches or "star configurations," and the net-
work is terminated at either end of the daisy-
chain.
10 • MultiFlex I/O Board Operator's Guide
Yes
Twisted Pair
18 - 24 AWG
31 pF/ft or less
59 pF/ft or less
12050
A diagram of this network arrangement is
shown in Figure 3-1.
TERMINATION
Figure 3-1 - I/O Network Configurations
3.2.1. Maximum # of Boards on a
Daisy Chain
To determine how many MultiFlex control-
lers may be daisy-chained together, look for a
plus sign "+" at the end of the model type on the
board's plastic insulating cover.
Figure 3-2 - MultiFlex "Plus" Board Indicator
The "+", which appears on all MultiFlex
boards manufactured after May 2004, means the
board is equipped with a low-power network
transmitter. Up to 256 of these boards may be
connected to a single controller. If the board has
no "+" beside the model type, the maximum
number that can be connected to an E2 is 32.
If you have a mixture of plus and non-plus
boards, multiply the number of non-plus boards
by 8, and add that to the number of plus boards.
This will result in the maximum number of
boards you can interconnect.
TERMINATION
026-1704 Rev 6 06-APR-10