Description
Product Introduction
The Anybus Communicator AB7006-B is a rugged, DIN-rail mounted protocol converter built by HMS Networks. It bridges standalone serial hardware—like scale indicators, motor drives, RFID readers, and legacy flow meters—directly onto a ControlNet network architecture. It lets you integrate essential field devices into Allen-Bradley ControlLogix or PLC-5 control systems without buying pricey OEM card upgrades or modifying device firmware.
Unlike simple passive converters, the AB7006-B executes active, deterministic serial transaction processing. It handles background polling routines, frame parsing, and checksum validation locally, completely relieving the host PLC CPU of serial management overhead. Data is cleanly mapped into input and output memory tables for fast cyclic transfer over dual RG-6 coax ControlNet taps.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
| Input Supply Voltage | 24 V DC ±10% (100 mA typical, max 300 mA) |
| Serial Sub-network Interface | Software-configurable RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 |
| Supported Serial Protocols | Modbus RTU (Master), Generic ASCII, DF1, Custom Produce/Consume |
| Serial Baud Rate | 1.2 kbps to 57.6 kbps |
| Upstream Fieldbus Network | ControlNet (Adapter / Slave) |
| ControlNet Network Speed | 5 Mbps deterministic media access |
| ControlNet Connectors | Dual BNC coax connectors (Redundant media support) |
| I/O Data Mapping Size | Up to 450 bytes Input and 450 bytes Output (Max 450 bytes total per direction) |
| Configuration Interface | Serial configuration port via Anybus Configuration Manager (ACM) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +55°C (32°F to 131°F) |
Application Scenarios & The “Trench” Experience
Picture this: It’s 1:30 AM on a plant shutdown weekend. A critical batch reactor line won’t clear its startup interlock because an old serial weigh-scale controller lost its communication board. The main controller is an Allen-Bradley ControlLogix rack connected over coaxial ControlNet. You can’t change the ladder logic without breaking validated process routines, and sourcing an exact OEM replacement card takes four weeks. Dropping an AB7006-B onto the rail solves the issue instantly. You load the saved ACM configuration file, set the MAC ID rotary dials, plug in the BNC taps, and the scale is talking back to RSLogix 5000 before the shift ends.
- Chemical & Refining – Mapping legacy Modbus RTU gas chromatographs and mass flow meters directly into ControlLogix ControlNet loops.
- Food & Beverage Processing – Connecting legacy serial checkweighers and barcode verifiers to central Allen-Bradley PLC-5 systems.
- Power Generation – Aggregating serial temperature monitoring nodes into a plant-wide redundant ControlNet telemetry bus.
- Material Handling & Automotive – Ingesting serial RFID tags on engine block carrier lines straight into deterministic control tasks.
AB7006-B
AB7006-B
AB7006-B
Transparency SOP: Quality Assurance & Testing
We don’t just ship boxes; we test them on actual HMS and Allen-Bradley ControlNet rigs. Every surplus or refurbished AB7006-B undergoes a strict 5-stage verification process before it gets boxed:
- Inbound Physical Inspection: Complete visual audit of housing, DIN latch, terminal blocks, internal thermal stress signs, and OEM serial tags.
- Live Rig Bench Test: Powered up with 24V DC to verify onboard power regulation and LED self-test sequences.
- Serial Sub-Network Communication Check: Active packet exchange tests across RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 pins using custom string commands and Modbus polling loops.
- ControlNet Network Handshake: Mounted on an active ControlNet coaxial loop with an Allen-Bradley 1756-CNBR module. Verified node scheduling, Nut (Network Update Time) synchronization, and bi-directional data mapping.
- Firmware Audit & Factory Reset: Firmware revision logged, previous user configurations cleared, and unit sealed in anti-static ESD packaging.
The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide (Crucial Value-Add)
⚠️ Set the Node Address Dials First: Set the physical rotary MAC ID switches on the front faceplate before powering the unit on. ControlNet nodes do not dynamically update their address if you click the switches while powered up. You must cycle 24V power for a new address setting to register.
❗ ControlNet Keeper & Scheduling Gotchas: Remember that ControlNet is a scheduled, deterministic network. When you add or replace an AB7006-B, you must run RSNetWorx for ControlNet to schedule the node’s NUT (Network Update Time) and RPI (Requested Packet Interval). If you just drop the hardware in without updating the network schedule, the node won’t map into your ControlLogix I/O tree properly.
⚠️ Dual BNC Redundancy Wiring: If your plant only uses Channel A, leave Channel B disconnected, but do NOT bridge them together. Also, ensure your BNC taps are clean—corroded BNC twist-locks cause intermittent signal reflection faults that trip offline bits across adjacent nodes.
❗ RS-485 Pin Termination: If running long RS-485 serial cables from field instrumentation, enable the internal termination resistor via ACM or wire a 120-ohm resistor across pins if required. Unterminated long serial runs will distort waveforms and cause packet droppage at higher baud rates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ for Conversion)
Q: Is the Anybus AB7006-B hot-swappable on ControlNet?
A: You can disconnect and reconnect the BNC coax taps while the network is running, but removing the unit will trip a drop-node fault on the master PLC unless your control logic handles missing nodes gracefully. Always inform operations before swapping hardware on an active bus.
Q: What is the difference between the AB7006-B and other Anybus Communicator modules?
A: The prefix “AB7006” designates the uplink network as ControlNet. For example, an AB7000 is PROFIBUS DP, and an AB7007 is DeviceNet. The sub-network serial interface (RS-232/422/485) and software configuration workflow remain identical across the Communicator Classic family.
Q: How do I configure the serial transaction frames on the AB7006-B?
A: You use HMS’s free Anybus Configuration Manager (ACM) software via a serial configuration cable connected to the RJ11/RJ45 config port. ACM lets you visually map Modbus commands or custom ASCII framing without writing low-level serial code.
Q: Is the AB7006-B still manufactured by HMS?
A: The Classic series, including the AB7006-B, is officially discontinued by HMS. While newer modules (like the ABC series) exist, they often require re-engineering network setups. Our New Surplus and refurbished AB7006-B units let you perform a 1:1 hardware drop-in without modifying existing panel layouts or software projects.
Q: What warranty comes with this module?
A: All our surplus and refurbished Anybus modules include a full 12-month replacement warranty. If a unit fails on your bench or in the panel during that period, we swap it out immediately from our warehouse stock.
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