PLC programming cables for several brands

About the Author: Lammert Bies is a dad, husband and polyglot. He is developing embedded systems since the eighties. Used machine learning before it had a name. Specializes in interconnecting computers, robots and humans. Was a Google Mapmaker Advocate and speaker on several international Google conferences from 2011 until the plug was pulled on Mapmaker in 2017. Bughunter with Google. Currently spreading artificial intelligence to the wildest locations in production environments. He never stops learning.

Introduction

Most PLC’s can be programmed from a PC via a serial cable. Unfortunately, many of these cables have a non standard layout. The cables shown here can be bought from the regular sales channels, but it is often much cheaper to solder them yourself.

Idec / Izumi PLC’s

Idec / Izumi PLC series FA2, FA2J and FA3J all require a special communication adapter for programming. This communication link adapter (CLA) is a small box that converts the RS232 electrical signals into a compatible level for the PLC. The cable to connect the PC to a CLA uses a DB25 connector at the PLC side. The layout for a cable with a DB9 connector at the PC side is shown here.

DB9 Programming cable for Idec / Izumi FA PLC series — DB9 Programming cable
for Idec / Izumi FA PLC series

Z-World micro-controllers

Z-World is an American company specialized in developing micro-controller boards based on the Z180 and Rabbit series micro-controllers. Where PLCs are often used in single piece environments, micro-controllers are mainly present in the OEM world where multiple controllers are needed.

The main difference in programming a PLC is that most micro-controllers, including those from Z-World, are programmed in C. The Z-World programming package runs on a normal PC and the connection with the controller is made using a serial cable. This cable needs a DB9 connector at one and, and a RJ14 plug at the other. The pin out of a programming cable is shown here.

DB9 Programming cable for Z-World PK microcontroller series — DB9 Programming cable
for Z-World PK microcontroller series

The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, luxury have always seemed to me contemptible.

ALBERT EINSTEIN