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Panel Meters - Counters - Timers - Transmitters, 4-20 mA & Modbus - Ethernet - USB - RS485 - RS232

Communication Option Boards for Laureate Meters & Counters

Ethernet interface board for Laurel meters, counters and timers

Key Features

  • Communication boards available for RS232, RS485, USB, Ethernet.
  • Usable in all 1/8 DIN size Laureate DPMs, counters, timers & remote displays.
  • Serial communication boardssupport Modbus RTU and Custom ASCII protocols.
  • Ethernet communication boards support Modbus TCP.
  • User-selectable baud rates to 9600
  • Converter boards connect a USB or Ethernet line to the host meter and an RS485 bus with up to 31 remote meters.
  • Powered by instrument or USB line.
  • Communications isolated from meter and power grounds
Quick Selection Guide
Generation 1 Interface Boards
Features & Compatibility
Ethernet
Board
Ethernet
to RS485
RS232
Board
USB
Board
USB
to RS485
RS485
RJ11
RS485
RJ45
Fits all 1/8 DIN Laureates
Works with Instrument Setup software
Modbus RTU & ASCII protocols    
Modbus TCP protocol          
Custom ASCII protocol    
Networkable  
Digitally addressable
Half or full duplex RS485 interface      
RS485 converter capability          
Main communication connector RJ45 RJ45 RJ11 USB USB RJ11 RJ45
Connector to RS485 bus   RJ11     RJ11 RJ11 RJ45
Description

Meter connection to PC via an RS232 or USB serial cable. A communication option board allows a Laureate digital panel meter, counter or timer to be interfaced to a PC for programming via Laurel's Windows-based Instrument Setup Software, or to output readings to a remote PC, PLC or other device with a communication port. The transmitted data may include the latest reading, peak value, valley value, alarm status, and setup information. The data can then be displayed, processed and data logged. The data can also be received by a Laureate 6-digit remote display, which can display the serial data, control relay outputs, and generate a scaled, isolated 4-20 mA, 0-10V or -10V to +10V analog output.

If the primary objective is to program a meter directly from a PC using Instrument Setup Software, a USB interface board is recommended. Once the meter has been programmed, the interface board can be removed if no longer needed.

Laurel meters on RS485 bus driven by USB-to-RS485 device server.

If the objective is to connect a network of meters to a PC, our USB 2.0-to-RS485 converter board can be used. That board can be connected to a PC via a USB port, and also act as the server for up to 31 meters on an RS485 bus via RJ11 connectors. The remote meters must be equipped with Laurel's RJ11 RS485 interface board. That board features dual RJ11 connectors wired in parallel for RS485 daisy-chaining using commercial 6-wire RJ11 data cables, with no need for a hub. Please see our cables page.

Laurel meters on RS485 bus

If the objective is to connect meters to an existing Modbus RS485 bus, either of two RS485 interface board can be selected. Both boards are fully compatible with the Modbus RTU protocol, as are all other Laureate serial interface boards. Our RJ11 RS485 interface board uses dual RJ11 connectors wired in parallel for daisy chaining, while our RJ45 RS485 interface board uses dual RJ45 connectors wired in parallel for daisy chaining.

Laurel meters connected to Ethernet router

If the objective is to connect a meter to an Ethernet LAN, our Ethernet interface board allows a meter to be connected to an available router port using a standard Ethernet cable. Our Node Manager software and Instrument Setup software makes node discovery and setup exceptionally simple.

Laurel meters connected to Internet

If the objective is to connect a network of meters to an Ethernet LAN, our Ethernet-to-RS485 converter board should be selected. That board can be connected to an Ethernet LAN utilizing a single Ethernet cable and also act as the server for up to 31 meters on an RS485 bus via RJ11 connectors. The remote meters must be equipped with Laurel's RS485 interface board. The Ethernet-to-RS485 converter board features dual RJ11 connectors for RS485 daisy-chaining using commercial 6-wire RJ11 data cables, with no need for a hub.

Three communication protocols are user-selectable:

  • Custom ASCII is a text string based protocol and is recommended if the only devices on theserial communications data line are Laureate meters. It supports up to 31 digital addresses. It is not compatible with Ethernet.
  • Modbus RTU is an international master / slave communications standard and allows Laureates to share the same RS485 data lines with non-Laurel devices. It supports up to 247 digital addresses.
  • Modbus TCP is Modbus RTU seamlessly converted to TCP/IP packets by our Ethernet Nodes.
Specifications

Electrical Specifications

Electrical Safety & Isolation
Isolation 250V rms working, 2.3 kV rms per 1 min test
ESD Protection 15 kV per IEC 1000-4-2
EMI Immunity 10 V/m per IEC 1000-4-3
EFT Protection 2 kV per IEC 1000-4-4s
Short Circuit Protection Continuous
Selectable Protocols Modbus RTU / TCP, Custom ASCII

Protocol Specifications (protocols reside on Main Board)

Modbus RTU / TCP
Standards Compliance Modbus over Serial Line Specification V1.0 (2002)
Protocol Type Master-slave, query-response command mode
Data Streaming Mode Not supported by Modbus specification
Data Formats (selectable) 1. No parity, 8 data bits, 2 stop bits
2. Odd parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit
3. Even parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit
Applicable Interface Boards RS232, RS485, USB, Ethernet, Ethernet-to-RS485, USB-to-RS485
Main Board Revision Level Level 5 or above
Custom ASCII
Standards Compliance Laurel proprietary protocol
Data Format No parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit
Protocol Type Text string based command mode or continuous data streaming mode
Data Sreaming Mode User selectable up to 60 readings/sec
Applicable Interface Boards RS232, RS485, USB
Main Board Revision Level Any
Overview
Ethernet interface board.

Ethernet interface board

Provides an RJ45 connector to an Ethernet LAN or direct connection to a PC. Supports Modbus TCP. Use in all Laureate meters, counters, timers and remote displays.
Ethernet-to-RS485 device server board for Laurel meters, counters and timers

Ethernet-to-RS485 converter board

Provides an RJ45 connector to an Ethernet LAN plus an RJ11 connector to an RS485 bus. Supports Ethernet communications with the host meter or counter plus an additional 30 meters or counters on the RS485 bus.
RS232 serial communications board for Laurel meters, counters and timers.

RS232 interface board

Single RJ11 connector for point-to-point data communications to a PC RS232 COM port. Compatible with 4- or 6-wire data cables.
RS485 serial communications board for Laurel meters, counters and timers.

RS485 interface board, dual RJ11 connectors

Dual RJ11 connectors allow daisy-chaining without a hub. Jumper selectable 2-wire (half duplex) or 4-wire (full duplex) connection. RJ11 connectors allow use of commercial 6-wire data cables.
RS485 Modbus serial communications board for Laurel meters, counters and timers.

RS485 interface board, dual RJ45 connectors

Dual RJ45 connectors for daisy-chaining without a hub. Jumper selectable 2-wire (half duplex) or 4-wire (full duplex) connection. RJ45 connectors conform to the Modbus standard (but RJ11 connectors are more popular).
USB 2.0 serial communications board for Laurel meters, counters and timers.

USB 2.0 interface board

Single USB Type-B receptacle for USB 2.0 I/O. Allows plug-and-pay connection of meter to a PC with a USB port.
USB-to-RS485 converter and device server board  for Laurel meters, counters and timers.

USB 2.0-to-RS485 converter board

Includes a USB Type-B receptacle for USB 2.0 I/O plus an RJ11 connector for RS485. Allows meter to communicate with a PC via USB while also serving as a USB-to-RS485 converter and server for up a 31-device RS485 network.
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