Allen-Bradley PLC-5 Data Highway Plus / Remote I/O PCI Communication Card | 1784-PKTX

Product Overview

The Allen-Bradley 1784-PKTX serves as a high-performance PCI-bus network interface card designed to link industrial computers with Allen-Bradley proprietary networks. This module provides a direct gateway for data collection, programming, and monitoring of PLC-5, PLC-5/250, and SLC 500 processors. By supporting multiple legacy protocols including Data Highway Plus (DH+), Remote I/O (RIO), and DH-485, the 1784-PKTX remains a critical component for integrating modern PC-based applications with established factory floor control systems. We supply this unit as 100% brand new and original, ensuring maximum signal integrity and bus compatibility.

Technical Specifications

The 1784-PKTX utilizes specialized circuitry to maintain robust communication across long distances:

• Bus Interface: PCI 2.3 Compliant (Local Bus)

• Protocols Supported: DH+, Remote I/O (Scanner or Adapter), and DH-485

• Communication Channels: * Channel 1A: 3-Pin Phoenix for DH+ and RIO

• Channel 1C: 6-Pin Phoenix for DH-485

• Maximum Distance (DH+/RIO): 10,000 ft (3048 m) @ 57.6K bps; 2,500 ft (762 m) @ 230.4K bps

• Maximum Distance (DH-485): 4,000 ft (1219 m) @ up to 19,200 bps

• Environmental Protection: Conformal Coated PCB for moisture and contaminant resistance

• Status Monitoring: 1 Diagnostic/Status LED per channel

• Power Requirements: Draws power directly from the PCI bus (No external power required)

• Module Capacity: Supports up to four (4) cards per computer system

Engineering Advantages

• Harsh Environment Readiness: The integrated conformal coating protects the internal traces and components from corrosive atmospheric contaminants and humidity. This prevents short circuits and signal degradation in heavy industrial environments like pulp and paper mills or chemical plants.

• Multi-Protocol Versatility: A single 1784-PKTX card eliminates the need for multiple interface converters. It manages DH+ for peer-to-peer messaging and RIO for distributed I/O control simultaneously, streamlining the hardware footprint within the industrial PC.

• Extended Network Range: The card drives DH+ signals up to 10,000 feet without the need for repeaters. This allows engineers to centralize monitoring stations far from the physical PLC locations on large production floors.

• Deterministic RIO Scanning: When configured as a Remote I/O scanner, the card provides high-speed, deterministic communication to 1771 or 1746 I/O racks. It ensures the PC-based control application receives time-critical data without the jitter associated with standard commercial network bridges.

• Seamless Legacy Integration: This card bridges the gap between modern PCI-based industrial computers and legacy SLC 5/04 or PLC-5 systems. It facilitates easy HMI/SCADA upgrades without requiring expensive re-cabling of the existing DH+ plant network.

FAQs

• Does the 1784-PKTX require a specific PCI slot voltage? The 1784-PKTX is PCI 2.3 compliant and supports universal signaling. It fits into standard 5V or 3.3V PCI slots commonly found in industrial computers.

• Can I use this card to program an SLC 5/03 processor? Yes, but you must use a 1785-KA5 bridge or a similar DH+/DH-485 gateway, as the 1784-PKTX communicates with SLC 5/01, 5/02, and 5/03 processors specifically through these network interfaces.

• How do I confirm the card is active on the network? Each channel features a dedicated diagnostic LED. A solid or flashing green LED indicates active communication and healthy bus status, while specific flash patterns identify configuration errors or hardware faults.

• Is a separate driver required for 64-bit operating systems? The 1784-PKTX relies on 1784-PKTX/PKTXD drivers. Because this is a legacy interface, you must verify driver compatibility with your specific version of RSLinx Classic to ensure the card appears in the "RSWho" network browser.