So, here is a knife to the Beijers back- a simple and inexpensive programming cable for Mitsubishi FX series, to be used instead of SC-09.

The cable is successfully used with FX0N, FX1N, FX1S, FX2N.
EDIT: According to repeated complains this cable may not work with FX0, FX0S.

The connectors on the diagram are 8-pin mini-DIN male on the PLC side and 9-pin sub-D female on the PC side.

Take measures in order for the PLC pin 5 (+5V) not to be shorted with any other one in order to prevent the PLC or PC port damage.

For AC powered PLC, the requirement to avoid phase conflict by powering PC from the same AC phase remains in power, exactly as for the SC-09 cable.
The difference is that in a case of phase conflict at least cable is not damaged now.

you didn't keep the promise, you were 52 minutes too early

I live in Montreal, Canada and here was after midnight already
I always keep my promises.

Attention all users of the described cable.
Sometimes, with the FX1N-422-BD port duplicator card installed in FX1N, the cable does not work with one of the ports (more often- with the duplicator card port).
MEDOC is indicating "Error in received data", "PLC replies NAK", or simply communicates slow with lots of retries.
The cable still works perfectly with another port in such cases.

Has anyone tried this cable? (besides the inventor)\
If it works, A big to Sergei.

Can it be used with FX1GM as well? what's the program required to use FX1GM?

The part number sounds like a motion controller but I've never heard of this specific one.
The FX2N-10GM/20-GM use the SC-09 cable, and my cable should work with them.

The cable may be even simpler- replace the resistor with jumper.
Tested.

Sergei are you sure that the cable won't do any damage to the PLC or PC? Because I don't want to blow up my precious PLC

Have other people test this cable already? Did it work?

Greetz

Wouter:
I have one customer, who tested Sergey's cable with FX1N and it was working fine with 8pin port. It will not work with 25pin port.
I don't know about FX0 PLC you have.

It should not damage PC or PLC.
Just keep in mind that SC09 does not have any opto-isulation, only ESD protection.

If you handy, you can make your own SC09 cable as a good school project:
it takes only one or 2 ICs and few capacitors.

Beijers schematics is widely available and I have 5 or 6 different simplified schematic versions and it depends what chips you can get.

Email me, if you need more details.
micromet@adelphia.net

Alex

Wouter,
The cable cannot damage PC or PLC port, assumung no mistakes in wiring.
I used it in tens of commercial projects already.
For more security leave the resistor in place: a wiring mistake with jumper can damage a port, with resistor- not.
With FX0 it may work even without jumper, but not guaranteed.

PLC Cables,
I do not understand whether you mean PLC or PC 25-pin port.
In any case I do not see a reason for the cable not to work (with corrected pin numbers in wiring, of course).
I also do not see any reason to clone SC-09 if a pin-to-pin cable makes the job.

Sergei,
I mean PLCs with 25 pin port - older style like A-series.
They are using handshaking lines RTS/CTS along with RXD/TXD.
It is possible to modify your cable to add this lines, but it will not work with 25pin port AS IS.

In any case it will not damage PLC or PC.
Nobody should copy SC09 desing, it can be simplified to minimum components or minimum cost.
But your cable definately works as a cheap programming alternative to SC09.

Just for some projects you must stay within RS422/R232 interface specification like min/max voltage, max distance etc. ESD protection also required.

Alex

Hi guys. Can anybody tell me what software is used to program FX2n-10GM with this cable? Medoc possible?
thanks

Hey, Sergei Troizky

Do you have any knowledge of the old MTA-10 "baby" op station build by Beijers and sold under the Mitsu name???

It uses a similar cable called an SC-06N which is used for download from a win based config program. It like the SC-09 is a 232-422 converter.
It has one hooker, 2 pins are also supplying +5vdc & "-" for powering it up. That's no problem.
I'm interested in the possiblity of using your cable in the same fashion. I'm worried about just giving it a try and end up damaging PC Port or MTA-10 port.

Any info would be appreciated. I have drawing of SC-06N it that would help you to help me!

I'm not an electronics person so the chips in the device are kind of way over my head!

THANX!

Hi, Lansoc

The principle should work with MTA-10/12, but I have never tried.
And will not try already.
MTA is obsolete and, probably, discontinued product.
I have replaced it with Aromat GT-10 small touchscreen in my projects.

Sergei

Sergei,
I was wondering if you have any cabling ideas for the FX1n for laptops without serial ports. I purchased a USB to serial cable converter but it does not work with the PLC. ANy ideas???

MIKE

In the beginning i had some problems with my usb to serial convertor and the mitsubishi programming software but i solved it with updating my windows XP to service pack 1. So i suggest you do a windows update

Greetz

OK,

First, I have purchased a serial PCMCIA card per my local MITS rep suggestion. It has not arrived yet. I am running teh latest, most up to date version of XP.

I am using a Belkin converter with the SC09 cable to my FX1N PLC. The software being used is GX IEC Developer. I receive a communication error with the PLC even though all transmit settings are correct. I get a quick flask of teh lights on my adapter and then the error.

My local REP says that the converters are sometimes problems and that they use the PCMCIA cards. I will let you know how it works out with that card once I get to try it. I have to get it wokred out b4 my next road trip or I will have to bring two laptops with me

MIke

THank you PLC CABLES, I wish I had seen that before I ordered the Card.

Mike

Most probably, not all the communication settings are OK.
Also, I would test the converter with anything else.
A serial mouse is good enough, if you can get one.
Or try another brand PLC, with RS232 programming port.
SC-09 also should be tested on another PC with a serial port.

UPDATE:

Received the new cable from MRPLC and it works great. no cards, no converters (except the one built into the cable).

Thanks again,

Mike

The cable is working fine on my FX10.

Thanks.

I made cable as shown, but it doesn't work. Program Melsec Medox v1.1, FX0 logic. I get communication error. Any hints?`

Thanks.

I still didn't get the cable to work but here's diagram that worked fine with me:

PLC / PC db-9
1____3
2____5
3____5
4____2
6____1,4,6
7____5

-short connect PC pins 7 and 8
-connect connectors "grounds?" together

Hi folks..

I’ve a problem. There’s a Mitsubishi FX2-32 and its hand held programmer with us. When linked together, they communicate fine. Only that the HHP screens are in Japanese.

Since I’ve also got Medoc v 2.3(DOS) I’ve tried to link the RS-422 port on the FX2 -32 with the pc using a MOXA /ADAM converter (Typ. ADAM 4520) using the RXD+, RXD -, TXD+ and TXD- (pins that are 2,15, 3 and16 on the 25-pin port connnector of the PLC). I have tried innumerable combinations of baud-rate, parity and data bits so that communication may be established. Nothing works.

So.. would somebody help me out with this. At least how could it be known at what comm.. settings parameters, the Hand held programmer talks.

Thanks a million..

Raj

I used Sergei's simple cable on a 25 pin D Connector RS-422 port on a FX plc with only a small modification: And I'm happy to tell the world that it works very, very very well.

Connect the RXD enable pin(Pin 21) to ground. You need the RTS+ and RTS- signals too. Connect them to 0v and +5v, through a 1k resistor. and your cable is ready to communicate. A number of pins i.e. 12, 13, 25 carry the 5v Signal. Likewise the ground voltage is available at pins7 & 8.

The rest of the cable is exactly as described by sergei. The needed RXd and TXd negatives are led to cross connect at the PC with TX & RX. The ground voltage must be linked to pin 5 of the PC's port.

A big big thanks to Sergei once again,

RAJ S> IYER

Can you provide drawing?

Here is the cable I made, it works well on both Round pin as well as 25 Pin connectors, if connected in the manner shown. Importantly, it is the RX Negative and TX negative signals that are cross connected with TD and RD on the PC. One may avoid using the 5 Volt signal at the mini Din Connector if no power is needed that end


Regards,
Raj

[attachmentid=1951]

Can anybody tell me the difference between a 250-300$ SC-09 cable and the 20 cent cable that has been posted on this forum? I want to try the simple cable posted by Sergei, but I want to make sure that my precious little PLC won't be hurt. What makes the original cable so expensive?

Thanks

OK wouter,

You may refer to Jan Axelson's book on serial data communications i.e. "Serial Port complete" which convinced me that making your own cable is OK. Just for your information, the RS 232,& 485 and other such standards do mandate that any pins shorting amidst themselves including the voltage & ground pins must cause no harm to either computer being connected. To be on the safe side, the 1k resistor.

regards, raj : : s. iyer

Hi,
thank you for this cable, I made and tested it on a FXON and it is working very well.
But I have just tested it on a FXO 30MR ES, and I can not communicate with the PLC, do you know a other cable for this kind of PLC?
Thanks you in advance
Yoann

Strange.
I used it with FX0 with no problems.
One observation: the cable works better or worse with different computers, worse meaning occasional communication losses or retries.
However, I've never seen completely no communication.

I have also tried the cable with a FX0-30MR-ES and a FX1S and it didn't worked. I verified the connections serveral times and all seems to be OK. All I get is communication error.

cghaba

Thank you Sergei, I will try this WE on a other computer. But I did not have any connection at all.
Yoann

hi, i have also tried this cable that Sergei described on a fx0 30 mr es and i get communication error all the time, any ideas anybody???

I discoverd if pin 1 (Carrier Detect) and pin 6 (Data Set Ready) is shorted, the cable that Sergei described won't work with FX0N PLC.

Any explanation?

What is the goal of shorting them?
And why it should work after?

Here's a new issue guys, with Sergei's cable...

With Medoc ver.2.3 it works beautifully. But I've observed that with the Windows version of the ladder editor program i.e. Melsec-FXGP/Win-E the PLC refuses to communicate. Was wondering whether we have a problem with this cable, or it could be that there is a software version conflict.

PS: I've ensured that the com port settings ie baudrate, stop bits, parity etc were identical in both cases

Will greatly appreciate your views,

regards,

R.S.Iyer

Just tested the originally described cable with FX1S, first time since I started this topic.
It works perfectly under Medoc.
Without the resistor, just a jumper.

For Melsec-FXGP/Win-E try to add jumper 7-8 on the computer side. I had this issue with my cables working with all programs but Melsec-FXGP/Win-E.
7-8 jumper was an answer in my case.

hi,

But how, If I use sc03, Can that skematic Diagram use for SC03?
And How to convert Sc03 to SC09 cable interface?.

Thanks


Shehoxs

Hi,

I tried the cable with the FX0 and it didn't work with Melsec Medoc FX/WIN 3.2.
I shorted 2-6 and 7-8 on PC side, and now it works. It seems it has something to do with RS232 control signals, some programs use them, some don't.
By the way, now I have a jumper, not a resistor (removed the resistor to see if that's why it doesn't want to communicate).

Thank you Sergei for the diagram.

Regards,
--
Peter

Hi guys,

thanks for the scematic for the simple cable, and user experienses
posted here, I can confirm that the cable does also work with fx0 30MR-ES
with the adaption of shorting 2-6 and 7-8 on PC side. I must be honest I haven't
tried connecting without these adaptions because of bad experience with fx0 30MR-ES posted here. I use Mesec Medoc 2.41 under XP

Grtz. Toni

Hi, I see from an earlier posting that a USB to Mitsubishi PLC programming cable is available from MrPLC shop - but I can't find it!! Where has it gone please?

Terry Ashworth

Hi, I used the cable described by raj iyer on this forum and All I got was "error in received data". I am using medoc v2.41 and FX0-20MR plc. windows 2000. The com ports on the pc are only com3 and com4 they are db9 male and are directly connected to board of the pc. So this is what I did:

Medoc PC(com4)
bit rate 9600 9600
parity even even
stop bits 1 1
word length 7
data bits 8
flow control NONE

The only changed that I did was from com1 to com4 on medoc and from parity NONE to EVEN on the hardware settings of the computer.
Actually I tried the default settings for both but it was a communication error.

What could be wrong? any suggestions?

[QUOTE][QUOTE]

try checking the com port of your pc, I have that problem too but when I tried to check on the hardware settings of my pc the com ports are designated as com3 and com4. So, I change the default setting of medoc from com1 to com3.

hope that helps

regards,


johnny

Johnny,
Tried as you indicated with no success. My FXo is an unkown, given to me several weeks ago. So I am new to the line. Maybe this is the problem. my experience is with AB products. Thanks for the reply though.

dallen

If I have a Mitsubishi FX1N PLC and it is 50m from my PC, can I just extend a SC-09 cable to connect the them?

Thanks,

Chris