Product Short Description
Basic Identification
- Manufacturer: Foxboro (Schneider Electric EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS)
- Full Model Code: FCM2F2, Manufacturing Part Number RH914YZ
- Product Name: Fieldbus Communication Module (2km Multi-Mode Fiber Extension)
- Product Series: Foxboro I/A Series DCS Fieldbus Extension Module Family
Description
Product Overview
Fiber optic communication extender module for Foxboro I/A Series distributed control systems, used to extend the proprietary Module Fieldbus between separate DCS baseplates over multi-mode fiber optic cable. It eliminates copper wiring distance limitations and provides full electrical isolation between remote control cabinets to eliminate ground loop interference in large plant DCS deployments.
Technical & Performance Parameters
- Max Fiber Transmission Distance: 2 km (1.24 miles)
- Fiber Cable Compatibility: 62.5/125 µm multi-mode fiber optic cable
- Fiber Connector Interface: ST-type industrial fiber optic connectors
- Fieldbus Transmission Speed: 2 Mbps HDLC for 200 Series FBM I/O modules
- Operating Supply Voltage: 48 VDC baseplate backplane power
- Max Power Consumption: 7 W
- Signal Attenuation Tolerance: Max 1 dB/km @1300 nm wavelength, 3.6 dB/km @850 nm wavelength
- Operating Temperature: -30 °C ~ +70 °C
- Operating Humidity: 5% ~ 95% RH non-condensing
- Environmental Rating: ISA S71.04 Class G harsh industrial certified
- Physical Dimensions: 105 mm (H) × 25 mm (W) × 160 mm (D)
- Net Weight: 284 g
- Certifications: CE, UL 61010, ATEX Zone 2
Material Composition
- Outer enclosure: Extruded solid aluminum alloy housing with hard anodized anti-corrosion coating
- Circuit board: 4-layer FR4 PCB with acrylic conformal coating for chemical vapor resistance
- Fiber transceiver: Industrial-grade laser diode multi-mode optical transmitter/receiver
- Baseplate contact pins: Gold-plated beryllium copper for long-term vibration resistance
- Front panel: Laser-etched polycarbonate status indicator panel
Structural Characteristics
- Standard Foxboro I/A Series baseplate hot-swappable horizontal module form factor
- Dual ST fiber connector ports mounted on front panel for transmit/receive fiber termination
- Four multi-color LED status indicators: Power, Fieldbus Active, Fiber Link Fault, Module Diagnostic Fault
- Integrated anti-vibration retention latch locks module securely to baseplate during seismic activity
- Single-width module slot footprint for minimal baseplate space consumption
Working Principle
- Receives Module Fieldbus electrical signals from local baseplate via backplane copper contacts
- On-board optical transceiver converts electrical HDLC bus signals to modulated light signals for fiber transmission
- Transmits light signals across multi-mode fiber cable to a matching FCM2F2 module at the remote baseplate
- Remote FCM2F2 converts optical signals back to electrical bus signals to communicate with local FCP280 field control processor
- Continuous real-time fiber link loss monitoring automatically triggers fault alarm if optical signal attenuation exceeds rated threshold
Core Function Features
- Complete galvanic electrical isolation between local and remote DCS cabinets via fiber medium
- Support redundant dual-module installation on adjacent baseplate slots for fault-tolerant fieldbus extension
- Hot-swap compatible; replacement without full baseplate power shutdown
- Built-in fiber link loss diagnostic with front-panel visual fault indication
- Bidirectional simultaneous transmit/receive for full-duplex fieldbus data communication
Advantage Highlights
- Solves copper cable maximum 100m fieldbus distance limitation for large plant distributed control layouts
- Immune to high EMI interference from large motors, VFDs, power transformers in heavy industry
- Aluminum rugged housing withstands high shock and vibration in mining, offshore facilities
- No ground loop signal distortion between geographically separated control buildings
- Interoperable with all Foxboro I/A Series FCP controllers and FBM I/O modules without firmware modification
Applicable Industries
Refinery distributed control, power plant boiler & turbine control, mining process automation, offshore platform DCS, pulp & paper manufacturing, municipal water & wastewater treatment plants
Installation Requirements
- Install exclusively on standard Foxboro I/A Series baseplate slot positions
- Redundant FCM2F2 pairs must occupy adjacent left/right baseplate slots
- Matching FCM2F2 modules required at both fiber cable endpoints; mixed FCM2F2/FCM2F4/FCM2F10 incompatible
- Fiber cable routing must maintain minimum 30 mm bend radius to avoid permanent signal attenuation
- ST fiber connector end faces must be cleaned with optical fiber lint-free wipes before insertion
Usage Precautions
- Do not expose front panel fiber ports to industrial dust, moisture, or chemical vapor without protective dust caps installed
- Avoid direct eye exposure to active fiber laser transmit port; permanent retinal damage risk
- Max three sequential fiber extension baseplate chains supported; fourth extension chain causes bus latency overflow
- Annual fiber link loss testing required to maintain DCS communication reliability
- Store spare modules with ST connector dust caps permanently attached to prevent transceiver contamination






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