B&R 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 Automation PC 600 Ethernet Interface Card

Description

Product Introduction

The B&R Industrial Automation 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 is a specialized PCI expansion board engineered for B&R’s Automation PC 600 (APC600) and Panel PC 700 (PPC700) industrial computer platforms. It expands the host IPC’s networking capability by adding a dedicated 10/100 Mbit/s Fast Ethernet port (RJ45), enabling dual-homed network architecture inside complex industrial control cabinets.

By separating local machine control traffic (e.g., POWERLINK, Modbus TCP, or vision camera feeds) from plant-level IT networks (ERP/MES systems), the 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 prevents network congestion and maintains deterministic motion timing. Built for high noise immunity in severe electromagnetic environments, it plugs directly into the internal PCI expansion slot of APC600/PPC700 mainboards.

Key Technical Specifications

Application Scenarios & The “Trench” Experience

A packaging line controller built on a B&R Automation PC 600 experiences network drops when connected simultaneously to high-resolution vision cameras and the plant MES database over a single onboard Ethernet port. Installing the 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 PCI expansion module isolates camera image transfer onto a secondary dedicated subnet, eliminating packet collisions and restoring stable PLC execution without latency spikes.

• Multi-Subnet Machine Control: Separates local machine/servo bus communication from upper-level factory supervisory networks.
• Vision System Integration: Dedicated Ethernet pipe for high-bandwidth industrial camera image streams.
• Remote Diagnostic Links: Provides a isolated port for field engineering access and remote telemetry without touching local PLC traffic.
• Legacy IPC Upgrades: Restores network connectivity on APC600 units when onboard Ethernet physical layers become damaged by electrical surges.

5ACPCI.ETH3-01

5ACPCI.ETH3-01

Transparency SOP: Quality Assurance & Testing

1. Inbound Mechanical Audit: Inspect PCI edge connector contacts for scratches or oxidation, check RJ45 port pins for bending/corrosion, and verify PCB SMT components under magnification.
2. IPC Integration & Slot POST: Install unit into an APC600 test chassis; power on and confirm successful PCI bus device enumeration during BIOS startup.
3. Loopback & Bandwidth Stress Test: Run continuous ping sweeps and high-throughput data transfers via B&R Automation Runtime / Windows network utilities to verify zero packet loss.
4. Physical Layer LED Verification: Confirm front-bracket Link and Activity LEDs light correctly across 10Mbit and 100Mbit connection modes.
5. ESD Protection & Packaging: Vacuum-seal inside anti-static shielding bags, surround with custom foam padding, and ship in a heavy-duty box.

The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide (Crucial Value-Add)

• ⚠️ Verify Driver Recognition in Automation Studio: When running B&R Automation Runtime (AR), verify that the hardware topology configuration in Automation Studio matches the exact card revision (5ACPCI.ETH3-01) so the OS assigns the correct network driver stack.
• ❗ Power Down IPC Completely Before Insertion: Never insert or remove PCI expansion cards while the IPC power supply is active; hot-plugging PCI cards will damage the mainboard bridge controller.
• ⚠️ Avoid Ground Loop Issues: Always use shielded twisted pair (STP) CAT5e/CAT6 cabling and ensure the APC600 chassis ground lug is securely tied to cabinet earth to prevent static discharge into the RJ45 port.
• ❗ Check Bracket Alignment: Ensure the PCI retention bracket seats completely flush into the APC600 frame before tightening the securing screw to prevent card skew and pin misalignment in the PCI slot.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 be used in standard commercial desktop PCs?

A: While it uses a PCI bus format, the card form factor and driver architecture are optimized specifically for B&R Automation PC 600 / Panel PC 700 industrial computer hardware.

Q: Does the 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 support Gigabit (1000 Mbit/s) speeds?

A: No. The 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 is a Fast Ethernet module operating at 10/100 Mbit/s.

Q: What do the LEDs on the RJ45 port / bracket indicate?

A: Solid green indicates a physical link connection; blinking amber indicates active network data transmission.

Q: Is additional power cabling required for this board?

A: No. The 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 receives all required 3.3V / 5V logic power directly through the PCI bus connector.

Q: What warranty applies to this surplus B&R module?

A: All clean surplus and bench-tested B&R 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 boards carry a full 12-month replacement warranty from the delivery date.