Brooks Instrument Resource
Setting Up RS485 Communication Networks for Multiple Brooks Instrument Mass Flow Controllers
Brooks Instrument is a well known manufacturer of mass flow controllers & meters, variable area flow meters (rotameters), pressure & vacuum products, and vaporization products. Their products are found worldwide and in many industrial and R&D applications. Many times multiple Brooks instruments are used on the same piece of equipment of control loop. For installation where multiple MFC’s, pressure controllers, or meters are used, Brooks Instrument offers supplemental software and hardware to easily network the devices together. The following content, originally from the Brooks Instrument blog, provides instruction about setting up a RS485 communication network of Brooks Instrument devices.
The three main components required for setting up this communication network are:
The Controller
The Software
The Power SUpply
For networks with fewer than 10 Brooks devices:
For this part of the discussion, we’ll call a small network one with 10 or fewer Brooks controllers. Setting up this type of network is easy – simply daisy-chain the devices and connect to the Model 0260. Then, connect the 0260 via USB to your computer or laptop. Example below:
10 or Less Devices (Click to enlarge)
For networks with 10 to 30 Brooks devices:
For a larger network of 10 devices or greater, the Brook 0260 powered converter should also be selected for best performance results. The 0260 power supply/converter from Brooks Instrument along with the Smart interface software can control up to 30 devices. Both of these products will communicate with any Brooks Instrument MFC or electronic pressure controller with the RS485 Smart Protocol, such as the GF40, GF80 and SLA5800 Series. Other than the 0260 power supply, the only piece of hardware required to set up the network is a multi-drop cable. The images below show different ways to set-up a network with more than 10 devices.
10 to 30 Devices (Click to enlarge)
The Brooks Instrument Smart Interface software and hardware will work independently. For users that have their own software tools, the 0260 hardware can be used as a power source and signal converter. Additionally, the Brooks Smart Interface software can be used in conjunction with hardware already in place.
For more information about setting up network in your facility, contact a Cross flow and safety technologies expert. Also, learn more about the Brooks Instrument products and solutions offered by Cross.
