W5-JDC4 Frequently Asked Questions

1.    1.       Where is the W5-JDC4 gateway User’s Manual located?

The W5-JDC4 User’s Manual is available from our web site Support -> Technical Data  http://wrcakron.com/data.html.

2.       What is a W5-JDC4 gateway and why should I consider purchasing one for my DeviceNet network?

The W5-JDC4 gateway is a communications adapter device that provides you with a flexible DeviceNet interface to as many as four different channels of ASCII devices simultaneously.  It allows you to easily and conveniently connect and integrate peripheral products with multiple RS-232 serial ports into a DeviceNet system, enabling you to select just the right peripheral devices for your application without limiting your selection to DeviceNet-cable devices only.

3.       How can I change the DeviceNet MAC ID of my W5-JDC4?

The address of the W5-JDC4 will come preset from the factory for address 63. You may change the address using the two rotary switches on the unit: they can be set to any address from 0 to 63 for DeviceNet. The most significant digit should be set with the MSD switch and the least significant digit, likewise, should be set with the LSD switch. If the switches are set to any number from 64 to 99, it will read the MAC ID setting from software, which will be the last known switch setting.  When a new switch setting and MAC ID are desired, first remove power, then change switches to new settings, then reapply power.  The address of the device will not change if the switches are moved while the device is powered.   However, the DeviceNet LEDs will flash Red indicating that either the address or baud rate switch has been changed since the last power up.  

4.       What electrical connections are required for a W5-JDC4 gateway?

DeviceNet Cable Connection:

2, 5-contact standard DeviceNet micro (M12) connectors (one male, one female)

Serial RS-232 Cable Connections:

4, DB9 ports (male, 9-pin D-sub on W5-JDC4; pin 2 = RX, pin 3 = TX, pin 5 = GND)

5.       How do I begin to use a W5-JDC4 gateway?

You can begin to use a W5-JDC4 gateway by following the User’s Manual Quick Start instructions.

6.       What are the LEDs on the W5-JDC4 indicating?

There are two sets of LEDs on the unit.  Green LEDs next to the DB-9 connectors are used as indicators for each of the four serial communications receive and transmit ports.  The two bi-color LEDs near the DeviceNet connector are used to indicate the DeviceNet module (MOD) and network (NET) status.  For troubleshooting or further information on status definitions corresponding to LED actions see LED Operation in the W5-JDC4 User’s Manual.

7.       How do I physically mount the W5-JDC4 gateway?

You can panel mount the W5-JDC4 with 4 screws or bolts. See the User Manual for locations and dimensions.

8.       What are some common applications for the W5-JDC4 gateway?

A W5-JDC4 gateway provides DeviceNet communications for up to four different serial ASCII devices at a time including weigh scales, bar code readers and scanners, display panels, robots, drives, operator stations / HMI, magnetic code readers and other ASCII serial devices. .

9.       Can I set up each of the four serial ports differently to communicate with different types of devices, or do all four serial devices need to be the same?

You can set up each serial port completely independently of the operation of the other serial ports. They may have different baud rates, framing characteristics, string lengths, handshaking, etc. to maximize your system design options.

10.   Is the W5-JDC4 gateway designed to plug-n-play?

Yes, the W5-JDC4 gateway is designed to plug-n-play using our factory default settings: serial framing of 7N2, serial baud rate of 9600, max number of receive and transmit characters set to 20, pad mode ENABLED, etc. The full list of default settings can be found under Default Settings in the User’s Manual.

If you wish to change any parameters from their default settings you will need to use a DeviceNet software configuration tool.  Many of the tools have EDS readers, which make the editing process easier.

11.   Does a W5-JDC4 gateway provide electrical isolation?

Yes, the W5-JDC4 gateway provides 500V network-to-serial ports electrical isolation.  It does not provide channel-to-channel isolation.

12.   What are the currently available W5-JDC4 gateway models?

There is currently one W5-JDC4 model available.

13.   On what DeviceNet baud rates does the W5-JDC4 gateway communicate?

It is default set to autobaud on DeviceNet.  The unit works with switch selectable values 0 = 125k, 1 = 250k or 2 = 500k baud rates and values 3 9 allow a fixed baud rate of 125k, 250k or 500k to be assigned with a software configuration tool.

14.   On what baud rates does the serial port communicate?

The serial ports on the W5-JDC4 will communicate on baud rates of: 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19.2k, 38.4k, 57.6k and 115.2k baud.

15.   How do I connect a W5-JDC4 gateway to a serial port device?

You connect to a serial port device with the serial DB9 connectors on the unit which have signal/pin assignments as follows:

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16.   How is the Master Handshake mode different from the Hardware handshake RTS/CTS?

Master Handshake mode is a data control mechanism between the DeviceNet master and the W5-JDC4 (after the JDC4 receives data from serial device), communicated in IO message. The W5-JDC4 indicates new data arrival and waits for Master to issue a new record number, to be used with new data. The hardware handshaking via RTS/CTS (which is not supported in the W5-JDC4) requires two additional signal lines on the serial side and it controls the data before it is received.

17.   When should I turn Pad Mode OFF? Or what configuration parameter should I check when the scanner cannot stay connected to the W5-JDC4 due to an IO size error?

If the DeviceNet scanner or the master device needs to be pre-configured with an input (produce) size before making a connection, or if the serial device will be sending variable data size strings, you will need to leave the PAD Mode ON (default setting). This parameter should be checked if the W5-JDC4 will not stay connected due to an IO size error.

18.   What should my master device logic be doing to see if new data is present in a poll message?

The Master program logic should be looking at the Receive Record Number and comparing it with the last stored record number to monitor new data arrival in Immediate (Non-Handshake) Mode. In the Master Handshake mode, the program should be looking at the New Data bit in status and if detected, should supply the new record number and wait for the W5-JDC4 to produce data along with that record number.

19.   What does the W5-JDC4 require for power?

The W5-JDC4 receives all necessary power from the DeviceNet network cable. This should be between 11 and 25 Vdc.  It consumes 3.75 watts maximum: 340 mA @ 11 Vdc 150 mA @ 25 Vdc unregulated power supply

20.   Where should I use a 1782-JDCx gateway vs. a W5-JDC4 gateway?

These gateways both offer DeviceNet to serial ASCII communication.  They differ in form and mounting requirements.  The 1782-JDCx’s are ready to DIN mount and the W5-JDC4 is a panel mount device.  The 1782-JDCx’s are for single ASCII devices and the W5-JDC4’s are for multiple ASCII devices (four serial interface ports).

21.   How do I access the serial ASCII data from a W5-JDC4 gateway?

When configuring your PLC, you have the option to memory map the ASCII data from the W5-JDC4 to a location on your PC. The ASCII data can be found at this location.

22.   When do I need to use an EDS (electronic data sheet) file for a W5-JDC4 gateway?

An EDS file is not necessary, but it makes configuring the W5-JDC4 (changing baud rate, framing, etc.) far easier than if you were to try to change the device parameters by editing the attributes of certain class objects and instances without the aid of a configuration tool. There are many software configuration tools available with EDS readers that can be used to set up the device.

23.   What is the proper cable to use for a W5-JDC4 gateway serial connection?

The proper cable selection depends upon the serial communication baud rate desired and the total cable length.  Use 3 wire shielded cable with end connectors compatible with the W5-JDC4 and your serial device.

24.   Where can I purchase the proper cable for a W5-JDC4 gateway serial connection?

You can purchase the proper cable from many suppliers and fitted with the connectors required for the gateway and serial device being used.