Description
The Moxa TCF-142-M-SC is an industrial-grade serial-to-fiber media converter that bridges RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 serial signals onto multi-mode optical fiber — extending serial communication far beyond the native electrical limits (RS-232: 15 m → fiber: up to 4 km; RS-422/485: 1.2 km electrical → fiber: up to 4 km) while providing total electrical isolation between devices. The “TCF” = Tough Converters Fiber series; “142” = 1-port serial in, 1-port fiber out, DIN-rail industrial casing; “M” = Multi-mode fiber (vs “S” = Single-mode — single-mode TCF-142-S-SC would go 40 km); “SC” = SC duplex connector (square push-pull — vs “ST” = round twist-lock bayonet; SC is more common in industrial panels, ST more in telecom).
- TCF-142-M-SC specifics: Multi-mode 1300 nm, 4 km max (50/125 μm fiber), 2 km (62.5/125 μm); SC duplex (Tx/Rx pair); serial side supports RS-232, RS-422, RS-485 — selected by DIP switches on the side (no software config needed — pure hardware DIP: SW1=RS-232/422/485 select, SW2=termination/bias for RS-485, SW3=duplex/half-duplex etc.). Serial connector: DB9 female (RS-232 pinout per DTE/DCE — Moxa includes a DB9-to-terminal-block adapter cable TCF-142-DB9-TERM for RS-422/485 wiring since RS-422/485 aren’t native on DB9 pins without adapter — important for buyer: if doing RS-485, you likely need the TCF-142-DB9-TERM cable or use the optional terminal block version — actually TCF-142 has two sub-variants: TCF-142-M-SC (DB9) and TCF-142-M-SC-T (terminal block). Your p/n is DB9 version.)
- Why buy this: Serial (RS-485 especially) is everywhere in industrial — Modbus RTU, Profibus PA legacy, weigh scales, barcode scanners, power meters — but electrical serial suffers ground loops, EMI from VFDs/welders, lightning surge on long runs (e.g., pump station 1 km from panel). TCF-142 puts fiber in the middle: 2500 V DC optical isolation between near/far ends, no common-mode voltage, immune to EMI, lightning surge on fiber doesn’t conduct back. Typical: Run RS-485 from PLC to remote pump station 3 km away → normal RS-485 max 1.2 km and will pick up VFD noise → TCF-142 at each end converts to fiber for the long haul, lands back as RS-485 at remote.
- Power: 12–48 V DC wide-range (terminal block on side — screw terminals), typical consumption ~2 W. Supports dual power input (redundant) — terminals V1/V2/GND. DIN-rail mount (35 mm TH).
⚠️ M vs S suffix: TCF-142-M-SC = Multi-mode, 4 km (50/125), SC connector — your p/n. TCF-142-S-SC = Single-mode, 40 km, SC — for inter-building runs. Don’t mix up: M is for campus/plant intra-area (≤4 km); S for city/inter-site (≤40 km).
⚠️ DB9 vs Terminal Block: TCF-142-M-SC = DB9 female on serial side. RS-232 works natively on DB9. RS-422/485 needs the Moxa adapter cable TCF-142-DB9-TERM (DB9-to-screw-terminal, breaks out T+/T-/R+/R-) — sold separately, ~$15–20. If you want terminal block direct on the converter, order TCF-142-M-SC-T (the “-T” suffix = terminal block version). Your p/n has no “-T” → DB9 only.
Key Features
- Serial Side: RS-232 / RS-422 / RS-485 (DIP-switch selectable) — 1 port, DB9 female
- Fiber Side: Multi-mode 1300 nm, SC duplex (Tx/Rx), max 4 km (50/125 μm), 2 km (62.5/125 μm)
- Isolation: 2500 V DC optical isolation between serial & fiber sides (device-level); total galvanic isolation between near & far end devices (fiber is dielectric)
- DIP Switch Config: SW1 = serial mode (232/422/485); SW2 = RS-485 termination + bias; SW3 = duplex (full/half for 485); SW4 = fiber speed/link (some versions auto)
- Speed: Serial baud up to 115.2 kbps (TCF-142 is async serial converter — not for Profibus DP >12 Mbps; for Profibus use Moxa OPC-100 or IMC-101 — TCF-142 is for lower-speed async: Modbus RTU, ASCII, etc.)
- Power: 12–48 V DC wide (redundant V1/V2), terminal block, reverse polarity protection
- Mounting: DIN-rail (35 mm TH) + wall-mount ears
- Indicators (LED): PWR, TxFiber, RxFiber, TxSerial, RxSerial (5 LEDs — link + activity diagnostics without laptop)
- Country of Origin: Taiwan / China (Moxa Inc. — 摩莎, industrial networking specialist)
Technical Specifications (TCF-142-M-SC — Multi-Mode, SC, RS-232/422/485)
Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
Model / Order Code | TCF-142-M-SC (Moxa TCF-142 series, Multi-mode, SC connector) |
Series | TCF-142 (industrial serial-to-fiber media converter, 1-port) |
Serial Interface | 1× port, DB9 female — RS-232 / RS-422 / RS-485 (DIP select) |
Serial Standards | RS-232 (up to 15 m electrical side), RS-422 (up to 1.2 km elec), RS-485 (up to 1.2 km elec, 32 nodes) |
Serial Baud Rate | 50 bps – 115.2 kbps (async) |
Fiber Interface | 1× Multi-mode, SC duplex (Tx + Rx, square push-pull) |
Fiber Wavelength | 1300 nm |
Fiber Distance (max) | 4 km (50/125 μm core); 2 km (62.5/125 μm core) |
Fiber Optics Spec | Link budget ~14 dB (typical for M-version) |
Isolation (device) | 2500 V DC (serial side ↔ internal, optical coupling) |
DIP Switches | SW1: Serial mode (RS-232 / RS-422 / RS-485); SW2: RS-485 term + bias; SW3: Duplex (full/half for 485); SW4: Fiber link/speed |
Power Input | 12–48 V DC (wide range), terminal block (V1, V2, GND — dual redundant input) |
Power Consumption | ~ 2 W (typical) |
Protection (power) | Reverse polarity protection, overload protection |
Indicators (LED) | PWR (green), TxFiber (yellow), RxFiber (yellow), TxSerial (yellow), RxSerial (yellow) |
Mounting | DIN-rail 35 mm TH (EN 60715); wall-mount ears included |
Housing | Plastic (PC + ABS), IP30 (front panel only — DIN-rail casing standard IP30) |
Operating Temp. | 0 … +60 °C (standard TCF-142); -40 … +75 °C on -T hardened variant (TCF-142-M-SC-T–H — H = wide temp, T = terminal blk) |
Dimensions (W×H×D) | ~ 36 mm(W) × 115 mm(H) × 70 mm(D) — slim DIN profile |
Weight | ~ 0.15 kg |
Standards | CE, FCC, UL 508 (some SKUs), RoHS |
Accessories (sold sep.) | TCF-142-DB9-TERM (DB9→screw terminal adapter for RS-422/485 wiring); DIN-rail clip spare; 12V/24V PSU |
Country of Origin | Taiwan / China (Moxa Inc.) |
Warranty & After-Sales
- Factory new units: 12 months warranty
- Refurbished units: 3-6 months warranty (power-up + loopback: serial DB9 short Tx-Rx → fiber loop or pair with second TCF-142 → verify LEDs + data echo at 115.2k)
- Technical support for:
- DB9 vs -T (terminal block) decision (your TCF-142-M-SC = DB9; if doing RS-485 wiring, you’ll need TCF-142-DB9-TERM adapter cable — we can include or you source separately; if you want terminal block direct, re-order as TCF-142-M-SC-T)
- M vs S fiber choice (M=Multi-mode ≤4km, plant/campus intra; S=Single-mode ≤40km, inter-building — confirm your run distance + fiber plant before ordering)
- SC vs ST connector (your p/n = SC square push-pull — common in industrial panels; ST = round twist-lock, more telecom. Match your patch cable: SC-to-SC patch or SC-to-ST if far-end differs)
- DIP switch setup (SW1=serial mode: 232 vs 422 vs 485 — mismatch = no link; SW2=485 term+bias — long runs (>400m) need term ON at both ends; SW3=duplex: 485 is half-duplex always electrically, but DIP sets converter internal buffering — leave default if unsure)
- Dual power wiring (V1/V2/GND — can run single 12/24V or dual redundant; reverse polarity protected)
- Application wiring example: PLC RS-485 (Modbus RTU) → TCF-142(A) near-end DB9(485 wired via adapter) → fiber 3km → TCF-142(B) far-end → RS-485 to remote device (power meter / inverter / barcode scanner). LEDs show TxFiber/RxFiber = link alive.
- Optional: TCF-142-DB9-TERM adapter cable, TCF-142-M-SC-T (terminal block version), TCF-142-S-SC (single-mode 40km), 12/24V DIN PSU, SC-SC multimode patch cables (duplex)
Delivery Time
- Standard delivery: 3-5 working days (stock NOS)
- Express shipping available upon request
Why Choose Our Store
- Genuine Moxa TCF-142 — not gray-market (optical budget & 2500V isolation calibration critical for surge/lightning protection)
- Global supply network with competitive pricing on Moxa industrial networking (TCF/IMC/NPort/EDS families)
- Expertise in Moxa serial-fiber conversion (M vs S fiber distance, DB9 vs -T terminal, DIP SW config for RS-485 term/bias, SC vs ST, dual power wiring)
- Comprehensive technical documentation (TCF-142 terminal layout, DIP SW table, RS-485 wiring via DB9-TERM adapter diagram, LED diag tree)
- Responsive customer service and support
Applications
- Remote Pump Station / Wastewater Lift Station: PLC in main panel (RS-485 Modbus RTU) → TCF-142 near-end → fiber 2–3 km → TCF-142 far-end at pump skid → RS-485 to VFD / level transducer / flow meter. Fiber blocks lightning surge (common in rural pump stations) and extends past 1.2 km RS-485 limit.
- VFD-Heavy Plants (EMI Immunity): RS-485 from DCS to drive skid 500m away, but path runs past 50 VFDs → electrical RS-485 picks up noise → TCF-142 at each end puts fiber through the noisy zone — 2500V isolation + fiber dielectric = no noise coupling.
- Inter-Building Legacy Serial: Two buildings, RS-232 device (barcode scanner / weigh scale / HMI) in Building A, host in Building B, 300m apart → RS-232 max 15m can’t → TCF-142-M-SC pair (300m << 4km) converts to fiber through existing multi-mode OM3 plant.
- Substation / Power Utility: IED (Intelligent Electronic Device) RS-485 to RTU/SCADA — TCF-142 isolates ground potential rise (GPR) between substation yard device and control house (fiber doesn’t conduct GPR — safety + equipment protection).
- Retrofit Old Modbus RTU Networks: Existing RS-485 Modbus RTU network hitting noise/length limits → insert TCF-142 pair at segment boundaries → keep RS-485 last 50m at each end, fiber for the long haul in middle.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.