In today's episode of The Automation Podcast I take a look at the ANC-120e USB to Data Highway Plus converter from Automation Networks.
Now you may be asking yourself why the folks over at Automation Networks would release a USB to DH+ converter when Rockwell already makes the 1784-U2DHP?
Well if you haven't looked lately, that Rockwell cable now lists for a whopping $3,140, while the ANC-120e lists for $995.
But how well could a third party DH+ cable really work?
As I demonstrate in today's podcast, it actually works really well.
In fact, I couldn't see any difference between my ControlLogix Gateway and the ANC-120e.
There must be some catch right? Like it's hard to setup or something?
Nope.
In fact, the entire podcast from un-boxing to making online edits in a SLC-5/04 and PLC-5/20, took less than 20 minutes.
So if you're in the market for a USB to Data Highway Plus converter, or just curious to see how the ANC-120e works, check out Episode 35 of The Automation Podcast below:
PS – Special thanks goes out to the folks at Automation Networks for sending over the ANC-120e for me to test – thanks guys!
Sincerely,
Shawn Tierney
Automation Instructor and Blogger
Have a question? Join my community of automation professionals and take part in the discussion! You'll also find my PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.
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I purchased the ANC-120e a while back. No problems getting online and modifing the program. My issue was backing the program up to the EEPROM in a PLC5. It wouldn’t work. Keep getting an error. So if you have to back up the program to the EEPROM, beware.
Was it a SLC-500 or PLC-5?
There’s a known issue with SLC-500’s where after you initiate a write to EEPROM you get an error, but it still completes successfully.
In my experience this happens with multiple communication paths, not just the ANC-120E.
Shawn Tierney,
Instructor at http://www.TheAutomationSchool.com