Moxa CP-114EL-I 4-Port Isolated Wide Temperature Serial Board

The Moxa CP-114EL-I is a robust, 4-port isolated wide-temperature serial board designed for demanding industrial applications. Leveraging a PCI Express x1 interface, this board ensures high data throughput and seamless integration with modern systems. Its key advantages include 2 kV of optical isolation, protecting sensitive equipment from damaging voltage surges and ground loop issues, and a wide operating temperature range of 0 to 55°C (32 to 131°F), making it suitable for challenging environments. The CP-114EL-I supports RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 serial standards, offering versatile connectivity for a wide array of devices. It boasts a maximum baud rate of 921.6 kbps for rapid data transmission, a 128-byte FIFO buffer for efficient data handling, and both hardware and software flow control. The low-profile form factor allows for installation in compact PCs, while extensive driver support for Windows, Linux, and UNIX operating systems simplifies deployment.

Product Specifications

| Specification        | Details                                                                                             |

| :------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| Model            | CP-114EL-I                                                                                          |

| Interface        | PCI Express 1.0 (x1)                                                                                |

| Number of Ports  | 4                                                                                                   |

| Serial Standards | RS-232, RS-422, RS-485                                                                              |

| Isolation        | 2 kV optical isolation                                                                              |

| Baud Rate        | 50 bps to 921.6 kbps (supports non-standard baudrates)                                               |

| FIFO Buffer      | 128 bytes                                                                                           |

| Flow Control     | None, RTS/CTS, XON/XOFF                                                                             |

| Operating Temp.  | 0 to 55°C (32 to 131°F)                                                                             |

| Storage Temp.    | -20 to 85°C (-4 to 185°F)                                                                           |

| Humidity         | 5 to 95% RH (non-condensing)                                                                        |

| Connectors       | DB44 female (typically requires an adapter cable for DB9 or DB25 connectors) |

| Driver Support   | Windows, Linux, UNIX                                                                                |

| ESD Protection   | 15 kV ESD protection on each serial port                                               |

Core Features & Market Positioning

The Moxa CP-114EL-I distinguishes itself in the industrial automation market through its combination of industrial-grade isolation, wide temperature tolerance, and high-speed serial communication capabilities. Unlike standard serial cards, the 2 kV optical isolation actively safeguards connected devices and the host system from electrical disturbances, a critical requirement in noisy industrial environments. This feature significantly enhances system reliability and reduces the risk of hardware damage, positioning the CP-114EL-I as a premium choice for critical applications. Furthermore, its robust design ensures consistent performance across a broad operating temperature range, a key differentiator for deployments in extreme conditions where lesser components would fail. The adherence to PCI Express 1.0 standards ensures compatibility with contemporary computing platforms, offering superior data throughput compared to older PCI interfaces. This focus on reliability, protection, and performance makes the CP-114EL-I a favored solution for system integrators and engineers prioritizing stability and longevity in their deployments.

Key Application Scenarios

The versatility of the Moxa CP-114EL-I makes it indispensable across various industrial sectors. In Industrial Automation, it serves as a backbone for connecting multiple PLCs, sensors, actuators, and control systems on automated production lines, ensuring seamless data flow and precise operational control. For Data Acquisition and Management systems, the board facilitates high-speed collection and transfer of data from diverse instruments and monitoring equipment, crucial for real-time analysis and decision-making. In Transportation Systems, the CP-114EL-I is vital for communication infrastructure, providing reliable data exchange for traffic control, signaling, and passenger information systems. It also plays a key role in Network Connectivity within complex, multi-device industrial settings, extending reliable serial communication where traditional network solutions are impractical or insufficient. Its ability to support multiple serial standards (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485) allows for integration with a vast range of legacy and modern industrial equipment.

Practical System Integration Guidance

Integrating the Moxa CP-114EL-I into an industrial system is a straightforward process, beginning with hardware installation. The board must be installed in a PCI Express slot before driver installation. After powering off the PC, firmly seat the board into an available PCI Express slot, secure it with the holding screw, and then connect the appropriate serial cable (e.g., DB44 to DB9 or DB25). Upon powering the system back on, the BIOS typically auto-configures IRQ and I/O addresses. Following this, the software installation proceeds by inserting the provided driver CD or downloading the latest drivers from Moxa's website. The installation wizard guides users through selecting the correct operating system drivers (Windows, Linux, UNIX) and configuring individual COM ports. During port configuration, users can specify the serial interface (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485), data bits, stop bits, and parity, as well as enable termination resistors for RS-485 if needed. Moxa also offers utility software for diagnostics and configuration, simplifying the setup and troubleshooting process.

Operation and Risk Mitigation

Operating the Moxa CP-114EL-I involves managing its serial ports through the host operating system and application software. Key to risk mitigation is understanding and utilizing the board's built-in protective features. The 2 kV optical isolation is paramount for preventing ground loops and protecting against voltage transients, which can cause significant damage to sensitive electronics in industrial environments. Additionally, the 15 kV ESD protection on each serial port provides a crucial line of defense against electrostatic discharge, further enhancing system robustness. In scenarios involving RS-485 communication, proper termination resistor configuration is essential to maintain signal integrity and prevent reflections, especially over longer cable runs. Should issues arise, built-in Tx/Rx LEDs on each port offer immediate visual feedback for diagnosing communication status. Moxa's diagnostic utilities and comprehensive driver support also aid in proactive troubleshooting and system health monitoring.

Scalability & Long-Term Value

The Moxa CP-114EL-I offers significant long-term value and scalability. Its PCI Express x1 interface provides ample bandwidth for current and future high-speed serial communication needs, easily supporting up to eight boards per PC if further port expansion is required. The broad compatibility with multiple operating systems, including legacy and modern versions of Windows and Linux, ensures that the CP-114EL-I can be integrated into diverse and evolving system architectures without being quickly rendered obsolete. This extensive driver support, combined with Moxa's commitment to long-term product availability and service, minimizes the total cost of ownership. For organizations moving towards Industry 4.0 and IIoT initiatives, the robust and reliable serial connectivity provided by the CP-114EL-I serves as a stable foundation for integrating edge devices and data into broader networked systems, facilitating advanced automation and data analytics.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the primary advantages of the Moxa CP-114EL-I?

The Moxa CP-114EL-I offers significant advantages including 2 kV optical isolation for robust protection against electrical noise and surges. It supports a wide operating temperature range, from 0 to 55°C, ensuring reliability in harsh industrial settings. This board provides flexible multi-protocol serial communication, supporting RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 standards.

This serial board ensures enhanced data integrity through features like a 128-byte FIFO buffer and high baud rates up to 921.6 kbps. Its compact, low-profile design simplifies installation in various PC form factors, making it ideal for space-constrained applications.

The CP-114EL-I is engineered for industrial applications, providing stable and secure serial connectivity. Its extensive driver support across Windows, Linux, and UNIX operating systems simplifies integration and maintenance, reducing system downtime and operational costs.

How does the optical isolation on the Moxa CP-114EL-I benefit industrial systems?

Optical isolation, rated at 2 kV, is a critical feature that electrically separates the serial ports from the host system's motherboard and ground. This prevents ground loops, which can cause data errors and hardware damage in industrial environments with multiple interconnected devices.

It effectively shields connected devices and the host PC from high voltage surges, transient voltage spikes, and electrical noise commonly found in industrial settings. This protection significantly enhances the overall reliability and longevity of the system.

By isolating the serial communication pathway, the CP-114EL-I mitigates the risk of data corruption and ensures more stable and dependable communication between devices, which is essential for critical industrial processes and automation.

What operating systems are compatible with the Moxa CP-114EL-I?

The Moxa CP-114EL-I offers broad operating system compatibility, ensuring flexible integration into existing and future IT infrastructures. It provides comprehensive driver support for various versions of Windows, including DOS, Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000, XP/2003/Vista/2008/7/8/8.1/10 (both x86 and x64 architectures), and Windows Server editions up to 2019.

For Linux environments, the board supports multiple kernel versions, including Linux 2.4.x, 2.6.x, 3.x, 4.x, and 5.x, catering to a wide range of industrial Linux distributions. Additionally, it includes drivers for UNIX systems such as QNX 6, Solaris 10, UnixWare 7, and SCO OpenServer 5/6.

This extensive driver support extends to embedded systems, with compatibility for Windows Embedded CE 5.0/6.0 and Windows XP Embedded, making the CP-114EL-I a versatile solution for various industrial automation and embedded computing applications.

Can the Moxa CP-114EL-I handle high-speed serial communications?

Yes, the Moxa CP-114EL-I is designed for high-speed serial communications, featuring a maximum baud rate of up to 921.6 kbps. This allows for rapid data transmission, which is crucial for applications requiring real-time data processing and control.

The board includes a 128-byte FIFO buffer, which efficiently handles bursts of data and minimizes the load on the host CPU. This feature enhances data throughput and system performance, especially when dealing with multiple serial ports simultaneously.

Combined with its PCI Express x1 interface, which provides higher bandwidth than older PCI standards, the CP-114EL-I delivers superior serial communication performance suitable for demanding industrial automation, data acquisition, and control systems.

What are the physical dimensions and form factor of the CP-114EL-I?

The Moxa CP-114EL-I features a low-profile form factor, measuring 67.21 x 135 mm (2.65 x 5.31 inches). This compact design is intentionally made to fit within smaller PC chassis and smaller industrial computer enclosures, offering greater installation flexibility.

Its PCI Express x1 interface ensures compatibility with a wide range of motherboards, and the low-profile bracket is typically included, allowing installation in both standard and slim-line computer cases.

This small form factor makes the CP-114EL-I an ideal choice for embedded systems, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, ATM machines, and other industrial applications where space is a significant constraint.

What are the supported serial standards and signals for the CP-114EL-I?

The CP-114EL-I supports the three most common industrial serial standards: RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485. This multi-protocol capability allows it to interface with a vast array of serial devices and equipment.

For RS-232, it supports standard signals like TxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, and GND. For RS-422, it provides Tx+, Tx-, Rx+, Rx-, and GND signals, enabling full-duplex communication.

For RS-485, it supports both 4-wire (Tx+, Tx-, Rx+, Rx-, GND) for full-duplex communication and 2-wire (Data+, Data-, GND) for half-duplex communication, offering flexibility for various network topologies and applications.

What are the environmental operating conditions for the Moxa CP-114EL-I?

The Moxa CP-114EL-I is designed for industrial environments and operates reliably within a temperature range of 0 to 55°C (32 to 131°F). This ensures consistent performance even in moderately demanding temperature conditions.

For storage, the board can withstand temperatures from -20 to 85°C (-4 to 185°F), protecting it during transportation and periods of inactivity in varied climates. The device also supports ambient relative humidity levels from 5% to 95% without condensation.

These environmental specifications make the CP-114EL-I suitable for deployment in factory floors, outdoor enclosures, and other industrial settings where temperature fluctuations and humidity can be significant concerns.

Does the CP-114EL-I come with included cables or connectors?

The base CP-114EL-I model typically comes with a DB44 female connector on the board itself. However, it usually includes an adapter cable to break out the four serial ports to more common connector types.

Specific models, such as the CP-114EL-I-DB9M, are often supplied with a cable that converts the DB44 connector to four DB9 male connectors. Other variants, like the CP-114EL-I-DB25M, may include a DB44 to DB25 male cable.

It's essential to check the specific product model or datasheet to confirm the exact cable and connector configuration included with your purchase, as different part numbers denote different cable attachments.

How does the CP-114EL-I handle potential electrical interference?

The CP-114EL-I incorporates multiple features to mitigate electrical interference and ensure robust operation. Its 2 kV optical isolation is a primary defense against ground loops and voltage surges common in industrial settings.

Furthermore, the board includes 15 kV ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) protection on each serial port. This safeguards the device against damaging static electricity discharges that can occur during handling or operation in dry environments.

These integrated protection mechanisms enhance the board's reliability and durability, reducing the risk of component failure and communication disruptions caused by electrical noise and interference.

What is the warranty and support for the Moxa CP-114EL-I?

Moxa generally provides a strong warranty for its industrial products, typically covering several years, demonstrating their commitment to product quality and reliability. Specific warranty periods can be confirmed via Moxa's official website or with a sales representative.

Moxa also offers comprehensive technical support, including access to drivers, user manuals, datasheets, and utility software through their website. This ensures that users can easily find the resources needed for installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.

The company's long-standing presence and dedication to serial connectivity solutions mean that users can rely on continued product availability and support for their industrial automation infrastructure.