Description
Product Introduction
The Allen-Bradley 1784-PKTX is a universal PCI-bus communication card engineered to connect desktop computers and industrial PCs directly to Allen-Bradley legacy networks—primarily Data Highway Plus (DH+) and Universal Remote I/O (RIO). Installed in a standard PCI slot, it acts as the primary interface for programming, SCADA data acquisition (HMI), and SoftLogix control operations.
Equipped with an onboard processor, the 1784-PKTX offloads network protocol execution from the host computer’s CPU, ensuring deterministic performance. It features a main 3-pin Phoenix connector for field blue-hose cabling alongside a front-panel 8-pin mini-DIN connector for local programming access.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
| Host Bus Interface | 32-bit Universal PCI (Compatible with 3.3V and 5V PCI slots) |
| Supported Protocols | Data Highway Plus (DH+), Universal Remote I/O (RIO), DH-485 |
| Baud Rates | DH+: 57.6k, 115.2k, 230.4k Baud | RIO: 57.6k, 115.2k, 230.4k Baud |
| Physical Connectors | 1x 3-Pin Phoenix Terminal Block + 1x 8-Pin Mini-DIN Port |
| Maximum Network Distance | 10,000 ft (3,048 m) @ 57.6 Kbps over Belden 9463 cable |
| Power Consumption | 0.60 A @ +5VDC (Supplied from PCI bus) |
| Operating Systems | Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 7 32-bit |
| Supported Drivers | RSLinx Classic 1784-PKTX/PKTXD driver |
Application Scenarios & The “Trench” Experience
The Trench Story
A packaging plant running a PLC-5/40 network needs to pull production counts into a FactoryTalk SCADA server over an existing DH+ blue-hose trunk line. The server’s old ISA-bus 1784-KT card motherboard fails and cannot be replaced with identical hardware. Upgrading the computer to a system with PCI slots and dropping in a 1784-PKTX card allows the facility to bridge modern SCADA software back onto the 57.6k DH+ network without modifying PLC code or pulling thousands of feet of new Ethernet cable.
Specific Applications
- PLC-5 & SLC 500 Programming Workstations: Provides direct engineering connections from desktop PCs to legacy PLC-5 and SLC 5/04 processors over DH+.
- SCADA & HMI Data Collection: Enables FactoryTalk View, Wonderware, or OPC servers to poll data registers from DH+ node networks.
- PC-Based RIO Scanning: Operates as an active Remote I/O scanner for SoftLogix 5800 systems controlling 1771 or 1746 remote chassis.
- 1784-PKTX
Transparency SOP: Quality Assurance & Testing
Every 1784-PKTX card undergoes full hardware detection and active network loopback testing before inventory placement:
- PCI Connector & Board Inspection: We clean and inspect PCI gold edge contacts, verify onboard capacitor integrity, and inspect mounting brackets.
- PCI Slot Enumeration: The card is installed into an industrial PC test rig to verify Windows Device Manager detection, hardware IRQ binding, and memory address allocation.
- Active DH+ Communication Test: The card is connected to a live DH+ loop with a PLC-5 processor, verifying node browsing and register polling at 57.6k, 115.2k, and 230.4k baud rates.
- Mini-DIN Diagnostic Port Test: The 8-pin mini-DIN connector is tested using a 1784-CP7 cable to verify local programming pass-through.
- Driver Stability Burn-In: RSLinx runs continuous packet polling through the card for two hours to ensure zero frame dropouts or driver crashes under load.
The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide
- ⚠️ 32-Bit Operating System Constraint: The official Rockwell driver for the 1784-PKTX is 32-bit only (Windows XP / Windows 7 32-bit). It will not work on 64-bit operating systems (Windows 10/11 64-bit). For 64-bit PCs, you must use an Ethernet-to-DH+ gateway like the 1756-EN2T/1756-DHRIO bridge or a USB-to-DH+ adapter (1784-U2DHP).
- ❗ Verify 1784-PKTX vs. 1784-PKTXD: The 1784-PKTX is a single-channel card (one 3-pin connector). The 1784-PKTXD is a dual-channel card (two 3-pin connectors for running two independent DH+ networks simultaneously).
- ⚠️ Set DIP Switches / Software Configuration Correctly: While the 1784-PKTX is PCI Plug-and-Play, network parameters (DH+ Node Address and Baud Rate) must be configured correctly within RSLinx Classic under “Configure Drivers.”
- ❗ Requires Universal PCI Slot: Ensure the motherboard has a standard 32-bit PCI slot available. It will not fit into PCI Express (PCIe x1, x4, x16) slots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the 1784-PKTX and the older 1784-KT / KT2 cards?
The older 1784-KT and 1784-KT2 cards used legacy 16-bit ISA bus slots. The 1784-PKTX uses the faster, universal 32-bit PCI bus architecture.
Q: Which cable connects the 1784-PKTX 3-pin terminal to a DH+ network?
It connects using standard Belden 9463 twinaxial “Blue Hose” cable (Terminals: Clear, Shield, Blue).
Q: Can I use the 1784-PKTX to program ControlLogix processors?
No. The 1784-PKTX is designed for legacy networks (DH+, RIO, DH-485). ControlLogix processors use Ethernet (1756-EN2T), ControlNet (1784-PCIC), or direct USB/serial connections.
Q: What cable connects the 8-pin mini-DIN diagnostic port on the card?
The mini-DIN port uses the 1784-CP7 cable (8-pin mini-DIN to 8-pin mini-DIN) or 1784-PCM4 cable.
Q: What warranty covers your surplus and refurbished 1784-PKTX cards?
Every 1784-PKTX card we supply includes our full 12-month replacement warranty. If a hardware fault or communication failure occurs under normal operating conditions within 365 days of purchase, we replace the unit immediately from stock or issue a full refund.
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