Hardware Information PLX3x Series
User Manual Ethernet and Serial Gateways
4.2 Serial Port Cables (for Gateways with Serial Ports)
This section contains information on the cable and pin assignments for the
PLX3x gateway's serial ports (RS-232/422/485). The PLX3x gateway may come
with one or four serial ports, depending on the configuration purchased.
Example: The PLX31-EIP-MBS4 gateway contains four serial communication ports
The PLX31-EIP-MBS gateway contains one serial communication port.
Each physical serial port has a RJ45 jack connector. A six-inch RJ45 to DB9Male
adapter cable is provided for each serial port. The DB9Male adapter cable
provides connections for RS-232, wired as Data Terminal Equipment (DTE), RS-
422 and RS-485.
4.2.1 RS-232 - Null Modem (DTE with Hardware Handshaking)
This type of connection is used when the device connected to the gateway
requires hardware handshaking (control and monitoring of modem signal lines).
To enable hardware handshaking, set the port configuration to use RTS/CTS
handshaking. (For MBS protocol, set the Use CTS Line parameter to Yes. For
ASCII protocol, set the Handshaking parameter to Yes.)
Page 48 of 218 ProSoft Technology, Inc.
May 12, 2016
PLX3x Series Hardware Information
Ethernet and Serial Gateways User Manual
4.2.2 RS-232 - Null Modem (DTE without Hardware Handshaking)
This type of connection can be used to connect the gateway to a computer or
field device communication port.
Note: If the port is configured to use RTS/CTS handshaking, then a jumper is required between the
RTS and the CTS line on the gateway connection.
4.2.3 RS-232 - DTE to DCE Modem Connection
This type of connection is required between the gateway and a modem or other
communication device.
For most modem applications, RTS/CTS handshaking should be enabled in the
port configuration.
ProSoft Technology, Inc. Page 49 of 218
May 12, 2016
Hardware Information PLX3x Series
User Manual Ethernet and Serial Gateways
4.2.4 RS-422 Interface Connections
The following illustration applies when the RS-422 interface is selected.
4.2.5 RS-485 Interface Connections
The following illustration applies when the RS-485 interface is selected.
NOTE: This type of connection is commonly called a RS-485 half-duplex, 2-wire connection. If you
have RS-485 4-wire, full-duplex devices, they can be connected to the gateway's serial ports by
wiring together the TxD+ and RxD+ from the two pins of the full-duplex device to Pin 1 on the
gateway and wiring together the TxD- and RxD- from the two pins of the full-duplex device to Pin 8
on the gateway. As an alternative, you could try setting the gateway to use the RS-422 interface
and connect the full-duplex device according to the RS-422 wiring diagram. For additional
assistance, please contact ProSoft Technical Support.
Page 50 of 218 ProSoft Technology, Inc.
May 12, 2016
