Description

ProSoft Technology PLX31-EIP-MBS4 Four-Port EtherNet/IP to Modbus Serial Gateway

Technical Specifications

• Product Model: PLX31-EIP-MBS4
• Brand: ProSoft Technology
• Warranty: One Year
• Input Voltage: 24 VDC nominal, wide range 10 VDC – 36 VDC
• Operating Temperature: -25°C to +70°C
• Storage Temperature: -40°C to +80°C
• Response Time: Minimum RPI interval 5ms per EtherNet/IP Class 1 connection
• Protection Class: IP20, DIN rail cabinet mounted
• Accuracy Class: Industrial protocol conversion precision with 0 register data offset error
• Output Frequency: 10/100 Mbps Ethernet fixed transmission rate
• Rated Current Range: 300mA at 24VDC nominal, maximum 610mA under low voltage input
• Communication Interface: 1×RJ45 EtherNet/IP port; 4×isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 serial ports
• Supported Protocols: EtherNet/IP (CIP, Class1 I/O, Class3 messaging), Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, PCCC
• Overload Capacity: Reverse power polarity protection, EMC surge suppression for industrial cabinet noise
• Dimensions: 125mm (L) × 85mm (W) × 30mm (H)
• 

Product Overview

The PLX31-EIP-MBS4 is a standalone industrial protocol conversion gateway engineered by ProSoft Technology to enable bidirectional, high-reliability data transmission between EtherNet/IP control systems and multi-drop Modbus serial field devices. This DIN-rail mounted communication module acts as a network translator that bridges modern Rockwell Automation ControlLogix/CompactLogix EtherNet/IP PAC platforms and legacy Modbus RTU/ASCII sensors, power meters, variable frequency drives, and remote I/O modules widely deployed in process and factory automation.

It resolves core integration obstacles in mixed-generation control architectures, including incompatible communication standards between Ethernet-based main controllers and serial field instruments, excessive hardware costs from deploying multiple single-port gateways, limited device node capacity on conventional Modbus converters, and complicated configuration backup during system maintenance. Equipped with four independent isolated serial channels, embedded EDS profile, SD card configuration storage slot and bandwidth prioritization logic, the gateway maintains stable data polling under electrical interference, wide temperature fluctuations and heavy multi-device bus loading in industrial control cabinets.

Automation system integrators, plant control engineers, maintenance technicians for DCS/PLC systems, and OEM machine control designers obtain tangible operational value from this spare communication component. It supports connection to up to 400 Modbus serial endpoints across four isolated buses to reduce gateway quantity, delivers plug-and-play integration with Rockwell programming environments via built-in EDS files, allows one-click configuration recovery through SD card backup to cut downtime during module replacement, and optimizes EtherNet/IP network load with adjustable RPI timing for real-time control and background diagnostic data separately.