The Foxboro FDC280 (part number RH101FQ) is a Field Device Controller manufactured by Foxboro (Schneider Electric / Invensys) for the EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS (formerly Foxboro Evo and I/A Series).
The FDC280 serves as a high-performance communication and control interface board, connecting intelligent field devices, digital fieldbus networks (such as HART and FoxCom), and Fieldbus Modules (FBMs) directly to the high-speed control mesh network.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Manufacturer | Foxboro / Schneider Electric (Invensys) |
| System Platform | EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS / Foxboro Evo / I/A Series |
| Model / Part Number | FDC280 / RH101FQ |
| Device Type | Field Device Controller Module |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 24 V DC (Dual redundant power bus inputs) |
| Network Interfaces | Dual Redundant 100 Mbps Control Network (Mesh/FCM) Ethernet Links |
| Supported Protocols | HART, FoxCom, Fieldbus, Modbus pass-through |
| Redundancy Support | Fault-Tolerant Redundant Controller Pairs |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +60°C (32°F to 140°F) |
| Mounting / Form Factor | Baseplate mounted / DIN-rail subrack enclosure |
Core Features & System Capabilities
- High-Bandwidth Field Communication: Integrates digital field instrumentation into the Foxboro DCS, enabling real-time process value streaming alongside HART asset management diagnostics.
- Fault-Tolerant Redundancy: Supports dual-module redundant operation (primary and secondary FDC280 pair) with bumpfree failover in the event of hardware or network interruption.
- Seamless Fieldbus Module (FBM) Integration: Interfaces directly with Foxboro 200 Series FBMs over the fieldbus communication backplane.
- Online Configuration & Hot-Swappable: Designed for live insertion and removal from baseplates without interrupting adjacent operational loops or control network traffic.
- Integrated Device Diagnostics: Pass-through diagnostics allow plant asset software (such as Field Device Manager) to configure, calibrate, and troubleshoot smart transmitters directly through the controller.
Related Foxboro Evo / I/A Series Components
- FCP280 (RH101AB / RH101BS) — Field Control Processor 280 for main control loop execution.
- FCM100E / FCM240 — Fieldbus Communication Modules for network expansion.
- FBM201 / FBM214 / FBM242 — 200 Series Analog and Discrete Fieldbus Input/Output Modules.
- RH101HL / RH101JC — Foxboro Modular Baseplates for FCP280 and FDC280 controllers.
