Instruction manual

NETWORKING MULTIPLE BIC-II’s
When communication with more products than a single BIC-II can support is desired, up to 31 BIC-II’s may be
interconnected via the MillBus communication port.
The data received from the products is distributed over the MillBus. Only one of the BIC-II’s in the network
can and must be dedicated as the host interface. The total length of all MillBus interconnecting cable
segments must not exceed 1200 m (4,000 ft).
Each BIC-II in a communication network must be assigned an identification (I.D. #) from 01 to 31. The
maximum communication networking possibilities are dependent upon the Milltronics product baud rates
selected and the host computer or PLC’s ability to keep up with the message traffic.
Care must be taken to terminate any unused MillBus connections with the 100 Ω resistor supplied with each
BIC-II.
The BIC-II should be powered OFF when maintenance is being performed or additional products are being
connected. Powering a BIC-II ON or OFF (other than the host interface) will not affect the operation of other
BIC-II’s in the network.
MILLBUS ISOLATION & SHIELDING
The MillBus is optically isolated and utilizes a separate power supply and signal common from all other BIC-II
circuitry to protect the computer or PLC from noise or voltage differentials.
The BIC-II is shipped from the factory with the MillBus cable shield connections tied to chassis ground. If
ground loop problems are suspected, these connections may be isolated from ground by selecting the J1
isolated common jumper position. Refer to FIG. 3I - Power Wiring Detail.
To avoid ground loops, MillBus cable shields should be connected at one end only, preferably the end
attached to the MillBus OUT connection.
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e.g. Communication with the following products is desired with the BIC-II Host/Millbus set to 9600.
» 1 AiRanger XPL (EPROM software 2.2)
» 1 AiRanger DPL (EPROM software 11.0)
» 1 Liquid Ranger (9600 baud)
» 1 AiRanger IV (9600 baud)
Product Load Factor = 25 (XPL) + 30 (DPL) + 30 (LiquidRanger) + 30 (AiRanger IV) = 115
In this case 2 BIC-II’s would be required. However, one BIC-II could be used, if the following changes
were made to reduce the Product Load Factor:
a) Reduce the BIC-II Host/Millbus baud rate to 4800 baud.
b) Upgrade the AiRanger XPL EPROM to 11.1 or higher.
c) Upgrade the AiRanger DPL EPROM to 2.3 or higher.
d) Reduce the AiRanger IV and LiquidRanger baud rates to 2400.
Product Load Factor = 10 (XPL) + 10 (DPL) + 10 (LiquidRanger) + 10 (AiRanger IV) = 40
PL-371 5 – 3