Chapter 3 - Connecting and Installing Your Impulse
3-4

B. Serial Communication Connections

Making RS-232/RS-485 Connections

The standard Impulse drive uses a 3-wire implementation of RS-232C. The RX, TX, and COM lines
are the serial signals supported. No hardware handshaking is required. Note that some RS-232C
devices require h andshaking, such as RTS and CTS. It is th e responsibility of the u ser to disable this
handshak ing via softw are or hardware (see Troublesh ooting RS -232C Comm unicatio n P r o blems on
page 3-6 for more information).
If you will be using RS-485 communication, the typical 5-wire interface connection to a “host” is
shown below. See “Multi-Dropping Impulse Drives with RS-485” on the next page for information
on using terminatio n resistors. Note: the maximum cable length for RS-485 communication is 4,000
feet.
Make your R S-232C connection as shown below. The PC Cable (I DC P/N SS-RS232) shown below,
is an ideal choice for making trouble-free RS-232C connections to the Impulse.
Comm Port Settings
RS-232C/RS-485
Baud Rate 19200 (fixed)
Stop Bits 1
Data Bits 8
Parity None
XON/XOFF Yes
IDC P/N
SS-RS232
RS-485
TX-
TX+
RX-
RX+
COM
COM PORT
9-Pi n
Connector
3 (TX)
2 (RX)
5 (COM)
COM PORT
RS-232C
RS-485 Host