Description
ProSoft MVI46-103M – IEC 60870-5-103 Master Module for Allen‑Bradley SLC 500 (1746)
If you’re tying modern substation protection relays into an Allen‑Bradley SLC 500 system, the ProSoft MVI46-103M is a practical, field-proven way to do it. It sits in a single 1746 chassis slot and speaks IEC 60870‑5‑103 (Master) to relays from ABB, Siemens, GE/Alstom and others, while exchanging data with the PLC over standard block transfers. From my experience, it’s a straightforward path when you need event, status, and measured value data in the SLC without re-architecting the whole control system.
Company’s Order Placement Process and Guarantees
- Warranty: 365 days
- Lead time: 1 week if in stock; no more than one month at the latest
- Payment terms: 50% advance payment; full payment prior to delivery
- Express options: FedEx, UPS, DHL
Key Features
- IEC 60870-5-103 Master – Polls protection relays for status, analogs, and event/time-tagged data; supports typical 103 services used in substation integration.
- Direct SLC 500 integration – Installs in a 1746 chassis slot; data exchange via standard BTW/BTR instructions in RSLogix 500, with sample ladder files to speed commissioning.
- Dual serial ports – Two configurable ports (RS‑232/422/485) for multi‑relay networks; works well in many cases with multidrop RS‑485 at 300–19200 bps.
- Time-stamped events – Designed to retrieve disturbance/event records so operators see what happened and when; typically used for fault analysis and SOE reporting.
- Configuration utility included – Uses ProSoft Configuration Builder for database setup, addressing, and diagnostics; you might notice commissioning is lighter than gateway-based approaches.
- Diagnostics & status – On-module status, port-level counters, and ladder-accessible health words help pinpoint cabling or protocol issues quickly.
- Industrial temperature range – Suitable for typical control cabinets in utility and process environments.
Customer note: A utility client recently swapped out a Modbus card for the MVI46-103M and could pull SOE and analogs from a fleet of ABB relays. “We didn’t touch the SLC program much—just dropped in the sample ladder and mapped the tags,” is how they summed it up.
Technical Specifications
| Brand / Model | ProSoft Technology MVI46-103M |
| Protocol Role | IEC 60870‑5‑103 Master for protection relays |
| Platform / Installation | Allen‑Bradley SLC 500 (1746) single‑slot module; installs in a 1746 chassis |
| Power Requirements | 5 VDC supplied by 1746 backplane (approx. 800 mA typical) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 60 °C (32 to 140 °F), 5–95% RH non‑condensing typical |
| Signal I/O Types | Serial only; no discrete or analog I/O channels on the module |
| Communication Interfaces | 2 × serial ports, software‑selectable RS‑232/RS‑422/RS‑485; baud rates commonly 300–19200 bps for IEC‑103 networks |
| Configuration & Diagnostics | ProSoft Configuration Builder (PCB); ladder-accessible status words and counters |
| Data Exchange with PLC | Block Transfer Read/Write (BTR/BTW) to SLC data files; sample ladder provided |
| Dimensions & Weight | Standard 1746 single‑slot form factor (SLC I/O style) |
| HS Code | 8537.10 (Boards/panels for electric control or distribution) |
Related or Supporting Products
- MVI46-103S – IEC 60870‑5‑103 Slave variant for SLC 500 when the PLC must present data to an upstream 103 master.
- MVI56-103M – ControlLogix version; recommended when migrating to Logix and keeping IEC‑103 relays.
- MVI46-101M / MVI46-101S – IEC 60870‑5‑101 Master/Slave alternatives for RTUs using 101 instead of 103.
- MVI46-104M / MVI46-104S – IEC 60870‑5‑104 (TCP/IP‑based) for Ethernet‑centric architectures.
- Allen‑Bradley 1746-Ax chassis & 1746-Px power supplies – Required hardware to host the module in SLC systems.
- Shielded RS‑485 cabling/isolators – Helpful for longer runs and noise‑prone yards; termination and biasing resistors recommended.
Installation & Maintenance
- Cabinet & environment – Mount in a 1746 chassis within a ventilated enclosure; keep within 0–60 °C and away from high‑voltage conductors. Provide grounding and proper shielding, especially in substation yards.
- Wiring – Use twisted‑pair, shielded cable for RS‑485; terminate and bias the line per IEC‑103 relay vendor guidelines. Keep serial runs separate from power conductors.
- Configuration – Define each relay as a device in ProSoft Configuration Builder, set link addresses/ASDU as required, and map data into SLC integer files. Load sample ladder to handle BTR/BTW and status.
- Safety – De‑energize the chassis before installation or removal. Verify port electrical levels (RS‑232 vs RS‑485) before connecting.
- Routine maintenance – Periodically check terminations and shields, review diagnostics counters for retries/timeouts, and back up the PCB project. Apply firmware updates when available to improve device compatibility.
- Time sync – In many cases, aligning relay time with the PLC/SCADA clock improves SOE analysis. Confirm time‑tag handling in your application.
Quality & Certifications
- Certifications typically include CE and cULus; RoHS compliance is common across the MVI46 family. Many deployments also reference Class I, Div 2 suitability—verify per your site’s documentation.
- Manufacturer’s warranty: commonly 1 year for ProSoft modules; our supply warranty is 365 days as noted above.
- Each unit is functionally tested prior to shipment; serial port loopback and protocol session checks are available during FAT on request.
One thing I appreciate is how the MVI46-103M helps extend the useful life of SLC systems while bringing in relay intelligence you typically only see at the SCADA layer. If you’re weighing 103 vs 104 or planning a Logix migration, we can stage the configuration so you don’t rework the relay network twice.
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