The Honeywell 51304684 (associated with assembly numbers 51401598-250 and 51304685-250) is a high-reliability R300 Communication Printed Wiring Assembly (PWA) with conformal coating, designed for use within the TDC 3000 and Experion PKS distributed control systems.
Product Parameters (Datasheet)
- Part Number: 51304684
- Assembly Numbers: 51401598-250 / 51304685-250
- Series: R300 (Release 300 compatible)
- Module Type: Communication PWA (Printed Wiring Assembly)
- Protection: Conformal Coating (CONFM) for harsh environment resistance
- System Compatibility: Honeywell TDC 3000 / Experion PKS
- Communication Interface: Redundant Control Network / UCN (Universal Control Network)
- Operating Voltage: Standard logic level 5V/12V DC (supplied by rack backplane)
- Slot Requirement: Standard Honeywell High-Performance Process Manager (HPM) or Advanced Process Manager (APM) slot
Country of Origin
This specialized control hardware is engineered and manufactured by Honeywell Process Solutions in the USA.
Application Fields
The R300 COMMUN PWA is a critical backbone component in large-scale industrial automation:
- Petrochemical Refineries: Managing high-speed data exchange between process controllers and operator stations.
- Power Generation: Facilitating real-time communication for boiler and turbine control systems.
- Chemical Processing: Ensuring redundant communication paths for safety-critical monitoring.
- Pulp and Paper: Handling the distributed I/O data for massive continuous production lines.
- Offshore Platforms: Utilizing the conformal coating to protect against salt-mist and high humidity.
Product Usage Instructions
- Anti-Static Precautions: Always use an ESD wrist strap and grounded mat when handling the card to prevent damage to the high-density communication chips.
- Slot Verification: Ensure the target slot in the HPM/APM rack is correctly configured for a communication module before insertion.
- Insertion: Align the card with the plastic guides and push firmly until the top and bottom levers click into place.
- Configuration: Use Honeywell’s Control Builder or Network Configurator software to assign the proper node address and baud rate for the R300 network.
- Status Monitoring: Check the front-panel LEDs for “OK” (Green) or “FAIL” (Red) status indicators immediately after system initialization.
Product Technical Description
The 51304684 card serves as the primary interface for Release 300 (R300) communication protocols. Technically, it manages the serialization and de-serialization of data packets between the local process controller and the wider control network. The “-250” suffix in the assembly numbers indicates a specific hardware revision optimized for the R300 environment. The “CONFM” designation signifies that the board has been dipped in a protective chemical film (Conformal Coating), which guards the circuitry against dust, moisture, and corrosive atmospheric gases, significantly extending the Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) in industrial settings.
Q&A (Common Questions)
Q: Can I use a non-conformal coated card to replace this one? A: While it may function electrically, it is not recommended if your environment is subject to humidity or chemicals, as the life of the card will be shortened.
Q: What is the difference between 51304684 and 51304685-250? A: 51304684 is often the base PWA part number, while 51304685-250 refers to the final completed assembly including all firmware and conformal coating.
Q: Does this card require a separate power supply? A: No, it draws all necessary power directly from the Honeywell system backplane once seated in the rack.
Q: Is this card “hot-swappable”? A: Depending on your system configuration (Redundant vs. Non-Redundant), it may be swapped, but it is generally recommended to follow the Honeywell “HPM Maintenance” procedure to avoid network upsets.
Similar Model Recommendations
- Honeywell 51401583-100 (Standard Communication Card)
- Honeywell 51304362-150 (UCN Interface PWA)
- Honeywell 51401598-100 (Non-conformal version)
- Honeywell 51304485-150 (HPM Processor Card)
- Honeywell 51309204-125 (Advanced Communication Module)
For more information on the Honeywell 51304684 and other TDC 3000 replacement parts, please contact our technical sales team.
