For the serial communication from PLC to DCS, I come to know that Fiber to UTP Media converters for each link has to be provided one at the PLC end and other at the DCS end and two sets of Ethernet Cat5e UTP patch cord frommedia converters to switch mounted in network Interface panel. For optical communication why these media converters and UTP patch cord are required?

sp_saras2 @ yahoo.co.in

 

Hi,

The PLC/DCS usually provide Ethernet port, which makes use of electrical signals on CAT5 cable to communicate. This is altogether a different medium than fiber optics. In order to convert it to optical signal, we need media converter. To terminate fiber cable we need patch panel. To connect media converter and patch panel, we need fiber patch cords. We also need to have couplers in patch panel. Inside patch panel, you may need fiber pigtails to connect fiber cable to couplers.

See the following sequence of devices/cables for connection:
1. PLC Ethernet Port
2. CAT 5 Patch cord
3. Media converter - (CAT5 to Fiber)
4. Fiber Patch cord
5. Fiber Patch panel (to terminate fiber cable)
6. Fiber optic cable
7. Fiber Patch panel at DCS end
8. Fiber Patch cord
9. Media converter
10. Cat 5 Patch cord
11. DCS Ethernet Port

Regards,

C. Potdar