ABB Drives User’s Guide

PC Connection Unit
NPCU-01
 3AFY 64003305 REV C (EN)
EFFECTIVE: 9.2.2004

NPCU-01 PC Connection Unit

User’s Guide

The NPCU-01 The NPCU-01 PC Connection Unit is a galvanically-isolated

PC Connection Unit RS-232/485 converter that enables the use of a PC – instead of the
Control Panel – for controlling ABB DCS 500, ACS 600, ACS800 or
ACS 1000 series drives.
The NPCU-01 is plugged into a serial port on the PC. The drive is
connected to the NPCU-01 using the 3-metre (also the maximum
length) flat oval telecommunications cable included. Locating the PC
up to 1200 metres away from the drive is possible by constructing a
panel bus using two NBCI Panel Bus Interface Connection Modules
(available separately).

RS-232 RS-485
To serial To control panel
PC CONNECTION UNIT

(COM) connector
RS-232

RS-485
NPCU-01

port of PC of drive
Flat oval
telecomms cable
250 mm Type: NPLC-03C

Computer System • A free serial (COM) port, equipped with a male 9-pin D connector.
Requirements Note that the port has to be supported by the drive controlling
program to be used. (DriveWindow Light supports all four COM
ports.)
• A Modbus-protocol compatible program for controlling the drive,
e.g. DriveWindow Light
• The system requirements of the drive controlling program to be
used.

2 NPCU-01 User’s Guide

 WARNING! Do not work on a powered drive. Before work inside the
drive unit or drive cabinet, switch off the mains and other dangerous
voltages (e.g. from external control circuits) to the drive. After switching
off the mains, allow the intermediate circuit capacitors 5 minutes to
discharge before starting work on the drive.

Installation 1. Switch off the mains supply and other dangerous voltages (e.g.
from external control circuits) to the drive. Switch off the PC.
2. Plug the D connector of the NPCU-01 into a free COM port on the
PC. Tighten the jackscrews to secure the connection.
3. Remove the control panel of the drive together with its male-male
adapter (if present) and connect the jack labelled RS-485 to the
control panel connector using the flat cable included in the
package.
4. Configure the PC program to use the COM port the NPCU-01 is
connected to.
Block Diagram
X2 RS-485 X1
1
DCD RS-232
DTR
4
DSR 0 t
6
RXD B
2 4
TXD A
3 3
SGND
5
RTS
7 +24V
CTS +5V +5V 1
8 DGND
Not Connected 2
9 DGND
5
Not Connected
6
(Revision F or later only)
SHLD SHLD

Galvanic Isolation

Technical Data • Data transfer rate: 9.6 or 19.2 kbit/s

• Supply voltage: 24 V DC, from the drive via the flat telephone cable
• Dimensions (without cables): 63 × 42 × 22 mm. Length (including
RS-232 cable): 250 mm
• All materials are UL/CSA recognised.

NPCU-01 User’s Guide 3

 3AFY 64003305 REV C
EFFECTIVE: 9.2.2004
NPCU-01/EN

ABB Industry Oy
Drives
P.O.Box 184
FIN-00381 Helsinki
FINLAND
Telephone: +358 10 222 000
Fax: +358 10 222 2681
Internet: www.abb.com