TSXSCP114 | Schneider Electric | Modicon Premium Communication PCMCIA Card

Product Overview

The Schneider Electric TSXSCP114 expands network connectivity within the Modicon Premium Automation platform by introducing an independent serial communication port. This Type III PCMCIA card slides directly into the dedicated slot of Premium host processors, Atrium co-processors, or auxiliary communication modules. By providing a hardware-based RS485 physical interface, this module enables the host controller to establish multi-drop token-ring or master-slave links with field instrumentation, motor drives, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and third-party remote terminal units (RTUs).

Technical Specifications

Engineering Advantages

• Zero-Footprint Communication Port Expansion: Standard chassis expansion cards consume full physical slots on the passive backplane, which restricts the mounting density of local discrete and analog I/O points. The TSXSCP114 utilizes a high-density Type III PCMCIA form factor that slips completely inside the processor casing. This integration method provides an extra high-speed RS485 serial gateway without taking up rack spaces, allowing panel designers to downsize sub-panel enclosures and reduce overall rail expenditures.

• Multi-Protocol Industrial Software Switching Configuration: Mixing proprietary supervisory pipelines with third-party barcode readers or weighing scales usually requires separate, single-purpose communication modules. The TSXSCP114 resolves this protocol bottleneck by supporting three distinct operating modes via standard software parameters. The network engineer can configure the card to execute standard Modbus master/slave routines, proprietary Uni-Telway messaging, or raw Character Mode ASCII streaming, matching the precise protocol requirements of varying field instruments.

• Differential RS485 Multipoint Bus Resilience: Single-ended communication standards like RS232 suffer from high signal attenuation and voltage drift when cable distances stretch beyond a few meters. The TSXSCP114 utilizes an isolated RS485 physical interface that relies on differential voltage signaling across twisted-pair copper. This balanced transmission design neutralizes common-mode ground noise and suppresses heavy electromagnetic interference (EMI) fields, sustaining steady data integrity over long multi-drop loops spanning up to several hundred meters across factory floors.

• Low-Thermal Integrated Power Consumption Footprint: High-speed network interfaces often generate considerable thermal overhead, which increases internal cabinet ambient temperatures and threatens adjacent electronic hardware. The TSXSCP114 operates on an optimized low-power circuit configuration that draws just 150 mA from the host processor's 5V DC supply line. This efficient design keeps heat generation inside the processor slot to a minimum, preventing localized thermal stress and ensuring steady operational uptime during continuous heavy network traffic.

FAQs

• Is this TSXSCP114 communication card a 100% brand new item?

  Yes. We supply this module exclusively as a 100% brand new, original factory-sealed item. The PCMCIA card arrives in its pristine original Schneider Electric package, complete with unblemished gold contact pads, intact factory bar-code identification strips, and factory protective shipping sleeves.

• Can I insert or remove this PCMCIA card while the PLC processor is powered on?

  No. To protect the sensitive data pins and internal tracking logic from inductive voltage spikes, you must turn off the main power supply to the PLC rack before inserting or extracting the TSXSCP114 card. Hot-swapping this component can cause permanent electrical damage to the card's inner components or corrupt the processor memory.

• What type of cabling or physical tap do I need to attach to this card?

  The TSXSCP114 utilizes a specialized front-face communication port. You must hook up a compatible Schneider Electric terminal adapter cable (such as the TSXSCP114 network drop harness) to convert this internal card interface into a standard screw terminal or D-sub connector block for your RS485 field network wiring.

• Does this card require its own unique software drivers or configuration utilities?

  No external drivers are necessary. The standard PL7 Junior, PL7 Pro, or Unity Pro software suites integrate full native configuration profiles for the TSXSCP114. Opening the hardware configuration tab within your existing project allows you to select the slot location, define the protocol (Modbus, Uni-Telway, or Character Mode), and specify line parameters like baud rate and parity.