Product data

13Morningstar Product Connectivity Manual
2.2.9 USB Hub
A USB hub allows multiple USB devices to use the same built-in USB port on your PC. There are
two types of hubs, bus-powered and self-powered. Bus-powered hubs draw all their power from
the PC’s USB port and require devices connected to them to share this power. This often limits
the number and types of USB devices which can be connected to the hub. Self-powered, how-
ever, uses an external power source to supply full power to every port on the hub.
Figure 12. Aaxeon USB Hub
Recommended: Aaxeon USB-HUB4K (shown above)
2.2.10 Ethernet / Serial Converter (supporting MODBUS
TM
)
An Ethernet / Serial converter allows the Ethernet port on your PC, router, or hub to connect to
the DB-9 serial port on Morningstar devices. (Often these converters will have an EIA-485 con-
nection for use with an EIA-485 network.) It provides a gateway between MODBUS IP
TM
and
MODBUS
TM
serial networks. This converter can allow for direct PC to controller/inverter connec-
tion, or connection via LAN/WAN/Internet. Software usually comes with the converter and allows
you to assign it an appropriate IP address. Important: The converter must be capable of
MODBUS TCP/IP
TM
support.
Figure 13a. Moxa Ethernet / Serial Converter (A) Figure 13b. B&B Elec. Converter (B)
Recommended: (A) MOXA MGate MB3180/3280/3480 (please refer to Section 11.0) or
(B) B&B Electronics MES1A