B&B Electronics 485T Manual De Usuario

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Documentation Number 485T1995 Manual 
B&B Electronics  --  PO Box 1040  --  Ottawa, IL  61350 
PH (815) 433-5100  --  FAX (815) 433-5105
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
The Model 485T Tester can be used to check the condition of 
signals at any node on an RS-422 or RS-485 network.  The tester 
determines if the maximum permissible negative or positive voltages 
are being exceeded.  If these voltage levels are exceeded it is 
possible to damage the RS-422/485 receivers and drivers.  The 
tester also checks to see if minimum required differential voltages 
exist on the lines.  The tester uses the normal data that is 
transmitted on the line to check the value of the minimum differential 
voltage.  There is an RS-232 output that can be used to view the 
network data. 
 
RS-422 AND RS-485 STANDARDS 
 
The RS-232 Standard (Interface Between Data Terminal 
Equipment and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment Employing 
Serial Binary Data Interchange) was developed many years ago by 
the Electronic Industries Association (EIA).  It was used to connect 
modems to terminals for dial-up computer systems.  Since the 
modem and terminal were usually located close to each other, wire 
length was not much of a factor in the standard.  RS-232 maximum 
wire lengths were set at 50 feet.  RS-232 lines can run farther with 
special (low capacitance) wire but there is a practical limit of 300 or 
so feet. 
 
 
 
The EIA then developed two newer standards to allow serial 
data communications to go past the 50 foot barrier.  The first is RS-
422, Electrical Characteristics of Balanced Voltage Digital Interface 
Circuits.  The second is RS-485, Standard for Electrical 
Characteristics of Generators and Receivers for use in Balanced 
Digital Multipoint Systems.  Using these standards, wire lengths of 
about 4000 feet are attainable.  This is possible by using two wires 
for each signal instead of the one wire used in RS-232. 
 
 
 
A typical RS-232 system can have eight wires, seven signals 
and one ground, not all of which are used in every system.  As each 
signal goes high or low (typically +12 and -12 volts) it uses the one 
ground wire as a reference.  Ground currents can cause confusion.  
Also, the RS-232 drivers are not capable of driving much more than 
2500 picofarads before the signal on the line is badly distorted. 
 
 
Both RS-422 and RS-485 use two wires for each signal.  These 
two wires are driven differentially.  When one wire is low the other is