Installation guide

Communications Overview
16
890 USE 101 00 October 2006
RIO Network Cable System
Overview The RIO processor at the controller head-end is connected to an adapter at each of
the remote drops via a network cable system.
Trunk Cable Starting at the RIO processor and running the entire length of the network are one
(linear) or two (dual or redundant) trunk cable(s). Taps are installed along the length
of the trunk cable(s), and a drop cable is run from a tap to a drop adapter. The trunk
cable may be an approved flexible or semirigid coaxial type. See RIO Network
Hardware Components, p. 67 for more details.
Taps The taps connect the drop adapter at each drop to the trunk cable via a drop cable,
providing each adapter with a portion of the signal that is on the trunk. The taps also
isolate each drop adapter from all other drop adapters on the network so that they
won’t interfere with each other.
Drop Cable Extending from a tap to an adapter is a drop cable. The drop cable connects to the
tap with an F connector, and it connects to the adapter with either an F connector or
a BNC connector, depending on the type of RIO adapter at the drop (see Planning
RIO Drops, p. 61). The drop cable may be an approved coaxial type, as specified in
RIO Network Hardware Components, p. 67.
Splitters Splitters are used to create a branch in the network cable trunk. They provide
isolation between the branches and allow the cable to be laid out in two directions.
One trunk splitter is allowed in a network. Hot Standby systems are allowed a
second splitter to connect the two RIO heads.
This document provided by Barr-Thorp Electric Co., Inc. 800-473-9123 www.barr-thorp.com