Mitsubishi FX5-232-BD Expansion Board

Function: RS-232C communication interface

The FX5-232-BD is a dedicated serial communication expansion board designed for use with Mitsubishi MELSEC iQ-F series PLC CPU modules. It is installed directly onto the front face of the CPU module, utilizing the expansion slot provided for adding communication or functional boards.

This board enables RS-232C serial communication, allowing the PLC to interface with various external devices such as barcode readers, serial printers, HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces), inverters, temperature controllers, or other serial-enabled equipment. RS-232C is a widely used standard for point-to-point serial communication, offering reliable data transmission over moderate distances.

The FX5-232-BD supports multiple communication protocols, including the Mitsubishi proprietary serial protocol (MC protocol) for data exchange with other Mitsubishi devices, as well as general-purpose serial communication using the RS-232C standard. It can be configured for various baud rates, data bits, parity, and stop bits to match the requirements of the connected equipment.

Installation is straightforward: the board is mounted directly onto the CPU module’s front expansion slot without the need for additional cables or complex wiring. Only one FX5-232-BD can be connected to a single CPU module, ensuring that the limited expansion capacity is used efficiently. The board is compact and does not significantly increase the overall footprint of the PLC system.

Typical applications include data acquisition from serial devices, remote monitoring, simple device-to-device data exchange, and integration of legacy serial equipment into modern automation systems. The FX5-232-BD provides a cost-effective and simple solution for adding serial communication capability to iQ-F series PLCs.