EX-RC1 Remote I/O Adapter

The EX-RC1 interfaces between Unitronics Vision OPLCs and remote I/O Expansion Modules distributed
throughout your system.
The adapter is connected to a PLC via CANbus. Each adapter may be connected to up to 8 I/O Expansion
Modules. The network may comprise up to 60 nodes, including both PLCs and adapters; note that the PLC
must comprise a CANbus port. Communication is via UniCAN, Unitronics’ proprietary CANbus protocol.
The EX-RC1 is run by a factory-installed application. The adapter can auto-detect digital I/O Expansion
Modules. If the system includes analog modules, the application must be edited. For more information refer to
the Remote I/O topics in the VisiLogic Help system.

The EX-RC1 may either be snap-mounted

on a DIN rail, or screw-mounted onto a
mounting plate.

Component identification
1 Status indicators
2 PC to EX-RC1 connection port Network ID CANbus

3 Power supply connection points EX-RC1

4 EX-RC1 to expansion module Remote I/O Adapter
connection port
PWR I/O COMM.
5 CANbus port Bus COMM.

6 DIP Switches POWER

PRG V 0V

Before using this product, it is the responsibility of the user to read and understand this document and
any accompanying documentation.
All examples and diagrams shown herein are intended to aid understanding, and do not guarantee
operation. Unitronics accepts no responsibility for actual use of this product based on these examples.
Please dispose of this product in accordance with local and national standards and regulations.
Only qualified service personnel should open this device or carry out repairs.

User safety and equipment protection guidelines

This document is intended to aid trained and competent personnel in the installation of this equipment as
defined by the European directives for machinery, low voltage, and EMC. Only a technician or engineer trained
in the local and national electrical standards should perform tasks associated with the device’s electrical wiring.
Symbol Meaning Description
Symbols are used to highlight
information relating to the user’s The identified danger causes physical
Danger
personal safety and equipment and property damage.
protection throughout this document. The identified danger can cause
When these symbols appear, the Warning
physical and property damage.
associated information must be read
carefully and understood fully. Caution Caution Use caution.

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Failure to comply with appropriate safety guidelines can result in severe personal injury or
property damage. Always exercise proper caution when working with electrical equipment.

Check the user program before running it.

Do not attempt to use this device with parameters that exceed permissible levels.
Install an external circuit breaker and take appropriate safety measures against short-circuiting
in external wiring.
To avoid damaging the system, do not connect / disconnect the device when the power is on.

Environmental Considerations

Do not install in areas with: excessive or conductive dust, corrosive or flammable gas,
moisture or rain, excessive heat, regular impact shocks or excessive vibration.

Leave a minimum of 10mm space for ventilation between the top and bottom edges of the
device and the enclosure walls.
Do not place in water or let water leak onto the unit.
Do not allow debris to fall inside the unit during installation.

Mounting the Module

DIN-rail mounting
Snap the device onto the DIN rail as shown below; the module will be squarely situated on the DIN rail.

Network ID CANbus

EX-RC1
Remote I/O Adapter
(3.66")
93mm

PWR I/O COMM.

Bus COMM.

POWER

PRG V 0V
44.5mm
(1.75")

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Screw-Mounting
The figure below is not drawn to scale. It may be used as a guide for screw-mounting the module.
Mounting screw type: either M3 or NC6-32.

80mm
(3.15")
5.8mm 68.4mm
(0.228") (2.693")
4mm
(0.16")
(3.346")
(3.66")
93mm

85mm

4mm (x2)
(0.16")

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Setting the Unit ID Number

The ID number range is from 1 to 60.
The DIP switch settings represent the ID number as a binary value as shown in the following figures.

Unit ID 1 (Default) 2 59 60

Settings

Connecting Expansion Modules

An adapter provides the interface between the OPLC and an expansion module. To connect the I/O module to
the adapter or to another module:
1. Push the module-to-module connector into the port located on the right side of the device.
Note that there is a protective cap provided with the adapter. This cap covers the port of the final
I/O module in the system.

To avoid damaging the system, do not connect or disconnect the device when the
power is on.

1 2
Component identification
1 Module-to-module
connector
2 Protective cap

Wiring

Do not touch live wires.

Unused pins should not be connected. Ignoring this directive may damage the device.
Double-check all wiring before turning on the power supply.
Do not connect the ‘Neutral or ‘Line’ signal of the 110/220VAC to the device’s 0V pin.
In the event of voltage fluctuations or non-conformity to voltage power supply specifications,
connect the device to a regulated power supply.
Double-check all the wiring before turning on the power supply.

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Wiring Procedures
Use crimp terminals for wiring; use 26-14 AWG wire (0.13 mm 2–3.31 mm2) for all wiring purposes.
1. Strip the wire to a length of 7±0.5mm (0.250–0.2.08 inches).
2. Unscrew the terminal to its widest position before inserting a wire.
3. Insert the wire completely into the terminal to ensure that a proper connection can be made.
4. Tighten enough to keep the wire from pulling free.

To avoid damaging the wire, do not exceed a maximum torque of 0.5 N·m (5 kgf·cm).
Do not use tin, solder, or any other substance on stripped wire that might cause the wire strand to break.
Install at maximum distance from high-voltage cables and power equipment.

Wiring Power Supply

Connect the "positive" cable to the "+V" terminal, and the “negative” to the "0V" terminal.

Earthing the Power Supply

To maximize system performance, avoid electromagnetic interference by:
Mounting the module on a metal panel.
Earthing the module’s power supply: connect one end of a 14 AWG wire to the chassis signal;
connect the other end to the panel.
Note: If possible, the wire used to earth the power supply should not exceed 10 cm in length. However, it is
recommended to earth the module in all cases.

POWER
V 0V

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Communication
Connecting the EX-RC1 to a PC
Connect the PC to the adapter via the programming cable. The pinout below shows the RS232 port signals.

Pin # Description
1 —
2 0V reference
3 TXD signal
4 RXD signal Pin #1
5 0V reference
6 —

Connecting the EX-RC1 to the CANbus network

Connect the EX-RC1 adapter to an OPLC as shown below. The module communicates via Unitronics’
proprietary UniCAN protocol. UniCAN can comprise up to 60 nodes, including PLCs and EX-RC1
remote I/O adapters.
The CANbus port is galvanically isolated.

CANbus Wiring
Network terminators: Place terminators 24V Power
Supply
at each end of the CANbus network.
- +
Resistance must be set to 1%, 121O,
Circ uit
1/4W. protection
Connect ground signal to the earth at device

only one point, near the power supply. 121

terminating
The network power supply need not be -V res istor
at the end of the network. L

PE
H
+V
CANbus Connector

-V
L
PE
H
+V

-V

L
PE

H
+V

121
terminating
resistor

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Network Layout
The EX-RC1 enables you to remotely locate I/Os up to 1 kilometer from a PLC. You can include both PLCs and
adapters on the UniCAN network, up to a total of 60 nodes.

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EX-RC1 Technical Specifications

Up to 8 I/O modules can be connected to a single adapter. The number of I/Os
I/O module capacity
may vary according to module.
Power supply 12VDC or 24VDC
Permissible range 10.2 to 28.8VDC
Quiescent current 90mA@12VDC; 50mA@24VDC
Max. current consumption 650mA @ 12VDC; 350mA @ 24VDC
Current supply for
800mA maximum from 5V. See Note 1
I/O modules
Status indicators
(PWR) Green LED— Lit when power is supplied.
(I/O COMM.) Green LED— Lit when communication is established between the adapter to
the other units.
Blinks 0.5sec ON 0.5sec OFF when adapter is in Stop mode.
(Bus COMM.) Green LED— Lit when communication is established between the adapter and
the OPLC.
Notes
1. Example: 2 IO-DI8-TO8 units consume a maximum of 140mA of the 5VDC supplied by the adapter.

Communication
RS232 port 1
Galvanic isolation No
Voltage limits ±20V
Cable length Up to 15m (50‘)
CANbus port 1
Nodes 60
Power requirements 24VDC (±4%), 40mA max. per unit
Galvanic isolation Yes, between CANbus and adapter
Cable type Twisted-pair; DeviceNet® thick shielded twisted pair cable is recommended.
Cable length/baud rate 25 m 1 Mbit/s
100 m 500 Kbit/s
250 m 250 Kbit/s
500 m 125 Kbit/s
500 m 100 Kbit/s
1000 m* 50 Kbit/s * If you require cable lengths over 500 meters, contact
1000 m* 20 Kbit/s technical support.
Environmental IP20/NEMA1
Operating temperature 0° to 50°C (32 to 122°F)
Storage temperature -20° to 60°C (-4 to 140°F)
Relative Humidity (RH) 5% to 95% (non-condensing)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 80mm x 93mm x 60mm (3.15” x 3.66” x 2.36”)
Weight 135g (4.76 oz.)
Mounting Either onto a 35mm DIN-rail or screw-mounted.

The information in this document reflects products at the date of printing. Unitronics reserves the right, subject to all applicable laws, at any time, at its sole discretion, and without notice,
to discontinue or change the features, designs, materials and other specifications of its products, and to either permanently or temporarily withdraw any of the forgoing from the market.
All information in this document is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness
for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Unitronics assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the information presented in this document. In no event shall Unitronics be
liable for any special, incidental, indirect or consequential damages of any kind, or any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this
information.
The tradenames, trademarks, logos and service marks presented in this document, including their design, are the property of Unitronics (1989) (R"G) Ltd. or other third parties and you
are not permitted to use them without the prior written consent of Unitronics or such third party as may own them.
DSP-EXP-EX-RC1 05/08

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