FOXBORO P0926KP 4-Port Serial Communication Interface Module

Description

• Model: P0926KP (Alternative identifier: FBM231)
• Brand: Foxboro / Invensys / Schneider Electric
• Series: I/A Series / Foxboro Evo Distributed Control System (DCS)
• Core Function: Acts as a 4-port serial communication interface module, connecting the DCS backbone to external smart field devices like PLCs, weigh scales, and motor control centers (MCC)
• Condition: Brand New Surplus (Sealed in original anti-static packaging with factory barcode verification)
• Type: Fieldbus Module (FBM)
• Key Specs: 4 isolated serial communication ports, supports RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 physical layer configurations

• Processor Block: High-efficiency, low-power embedded industrial microprocessor
• Channel Capacity: 4 completely independent, galvanically isolated serial communication channels
• Physical Interfaces: Software or jumper configurable for RS-232C, RS-422, or RS-485 (2-wire or 4-wire topologies)
• Data Signaling Rates: Supports baud rates from 300 bps up to 115,200 bps per channel
• Protocol Emulation: Base module accepts loadable industrial driver profiles including Modbus RTU (Master/Slave), Allen-Bradley DF1, and various custom ASCII interfaces
• Isolation Barrier: 1,500 V AC continuous galvanic isolation protection between communications circuitry and internal system logic
• Backplane Interface: Dual redundant 2 Mbps HDLC Fieldbus connections via the module baseplate assembly
• Power Consumption: Draws approximately 3.5 Watts nominal directly from the redundant baseplate power supply bus
• Heat Dissipation: Low thermal footprint design, maximizing component lifespan inside sealed enclosures
• Environmental Limits: Operational from -20°C to +70°C with 5% to 95% non-condensing relative humidity ratings
• Compliance Certification: Class 1, Division 2 hazardous area classification (UL/CSA) and CE compliant

FOXBORO P0926KP

FOXBORO P0926KP

FOXBORO P0926KP

Installation & Configuration Guide

Phase 1: Pre-Installation (Estimated time: 15 minutes)

⚠️ Safety First:

1. Obtain formal administrative clearance from the plant operations center before modifying active fieldbus control segments.
2. Confirm that the specific slot destination on the baseplate corresponds with the software configuration mapped in the Foxboro system configurator.
3. Verify that the system ground bus bar inside the rack cabinet is solidly bonded to the main plant earth matrix.

Tools and Materials:

• Grounded anti-static wrist strap with an alligator clip attachment
• Small insulated flat-blade screwdriver for termination tuning
• Laptop running Foxboro I/A Series Control Software (Integrated Control Configurator or Letterbug utility)
• Clean, lint-free cloth for contact surface maintenance

Backup Actions:

• Save the active station database block using your engineering workstation before swapping or introducing hardware components.
• Document the designated “Letterbug” identifier address assigned to the replacement node slot.

Phase 2: Removal (Estimated time: 5 minutes)

1. Attach your anti-static wrist strap securely to the bare metal grounding point on the cabinet frame.
2. Loosen the top and bottom captive retaining screws located on the faceplate of the faulty module.
3. Gently pull the module handles outward to slide the unit forward out of its baseplate guide rails.
4. Inspect the underlying baseplate connector pins for any signs of physical damage, corrosion, or contamination before proceeding.

Phase 3: Installation (Estimated time: 10 minutes)

1. Remove the new P0926KP module from its protective ESD-shielded barrier bag.
2. Verify that any required physical jumper options match the serial communication mode (e.g., RS-485 termination resistors) specified by your device layout.
3. Align the module with the upper and lower guide rails of the target slot on the baseplate assembly.
4. Slide the module firmly straight back into the slot until the backplane connectors fully seat into position.
5. Secure the top and bottom captive retaining screws by hand, then tighten gently with an insulated screwdriver to lock the module in place.

Phase 4: Power-On & Initialization (Estimated time: 15 minutes)

1. Once seated, the module will automatically power up from the baseplate bus line.
2. Observe the status LEDs on the front panel: the red fail light should illuminate briefly, then turn off as the green run light blinks and stabilizes to indicate successful initialization.
3. Open your engineering workstation and use the software toolset to download the communication database and Letterbug settings to the new hardware block.
4. Monitor the TX/RX activity LEDs for each active port to confirm that communication loops with your external field devices are working properly.
5. Check the system diagnostic logs to ensure the module is registered as fully online and reporting zero active faults to the central controller block.

Customer Cases & Industry Applications

Case 1: Chemical Plant Compressor Control Loop Restoration

Situation: A specialty chemical manufacturing plant in East Asia experienced a sudden data dropout on its main control deck. The central Foxboro I/A system lost its serial tracking links to several third-party Modbus-driven compressor packages. This issue blinded operators to critical operational parameters like bearing temperatures and pressure values.

Task: The plant faced an immediate safety risk that required running manual monitoring loops. The facility needed to locate a replacement serial communication module right away to prevent a complete plant shutdown, which would cost roughly $85,000 per hour.

Action: The maintenance supervisor turned to our global inventory network to locate a hard-to-find P0926KP FBM231 module. We verified the part’s integrity, processed the order immediately, and shipped it out via priority air express on the next available flight.

Result: The module arrived at the plant within 36 hours. Technicians installed the component, downloaded the existing Modbus driver mapping files, and brought the serial communication link back online. The operator panel recovered all monitoring trends instantly, avoiding an expensive un-planned shutdown and restoring full process visibility.

Case 2: Power Generation Facility Clean Water Treatment Upgrade

Situation: An operational thermal power plant initiated a lifecycle maintenance project to update the sub-networks managing its water treatment facility. The existing configuration relied on aging serial networks connected to a central control room rack.

Task: The project engineers needed to expand their serial port availability to add new flow meters without modifying the underlying, proven Foxboro DCS backplane framework.

Action: We supplied a matching set of New Surplus P0926KP modules, complete with full documentation, allowing the plant to expand its system footprint within its existing hardware configuration.

Result: The power plant successfully completed its network expansion on schedule. This approach avoided the high costs of a complete system overhaul while ensuring full compatibility across all field devices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can the P0926KP module be hot-swapped while the baseplate is powered? A: Yes. Foxboro designed the I/A Series and Foxboro Evo baseplate architectures to support hot-swapping of individual Fieldbus Modules. However, you should always make sure that any control or safety tracking loops associated with the communication channels are placed in manual override mode or isolated before removing the module to prevent false system trip alarms.

Q2: What is the relationship between part numbers P0926KP and FBM231? A: Part number P0926KP is the specific manufacturing and ordering part number for the physical hardware assembly, while FBM231 is the functional model classification within the Foxboro system. When configuring your system database or engineering layout, you will reference it as an FBM231 module.

Q3: How do I change between RS-232 and RS-485 communication formats on this board? A: Physical communication layer selection is primarily handled through your software setup configuration profiles within the control station configuration tool. In some older hardware revisions, minor configuration adjustments may also require setting hardware jumpers on the terminal assembly block matched to the module slot.

Q4: Do these surplus modules include the corresponding termination assembly blocks? A: This listing is for the P0926KP Fieldbus Module itself, which is the primary active processing component. If your project requires matching terminal blocks, interface cables, or baseplates, please contact our support desk directly. We can check our warehouse inventory to bundle all the components you need for a complete installation.

Q5: What packaging and shipping methods are used to safeguard this hardware? A: Every module we ship is packed inside an industry-standard anti-static ESD shield bag, wrapped in thick impact-absorbing bubble layer material, and placed inside a heavy-duty shipping box. We ship daily using priority international couriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS to ensure fast, safe, and traceable delivery to your industrial site.