Eaton FCS-MBx-SG Megablock range

FCS-MBx-SG Megablock range*

Passive hubs for general purpose, Zone 2 & Division 2 fieldbus networks

Megablocks are DIN-rail mounted passive hubs for Foundation™

fieldbus networks. They connect several field devices to the network

trunk cable and provide short circuit protection to the segment.

Megablocks minimize hand wiring and allow individual devices to be

added to and removed from the segment without disrupting network

communication.

A green power LED on each unit indicates whether at least 9V dc is

present. Megablocks are available in four, eight, ten and twelve drop

versions. Multiple Megablocks are easily wired to one another to allow

larger segments to be constructed.

Megablocks are available with an integral terminator making

them ideal for a star or "chickenfoot" topology, where several devices

are connected at a single field junction box. Separate Megablock

Terminators are also available, which may be wired easily to any

Megablock. Megablocks having a built-in terminator are clearly marked

('T') for easy identification by field personnel.

Connections to the Megablock are made using pluggable, screw

terminal type connectors. This allows wire terminations to be made to

the individual connectors which are then plugged into the Megablock.

Devices can then be connected and disconnected easily during

commissioning. After commissioning, retaining screws are tightened

to secure each connector to the Megablock.

Trunk connections for the fieldbus home-run/trunk cable are easily

identified by their black connectors. Separate numbered connections

are provided for each spur drop.

SpurGuard™ is a device-port, short circuit protection technique

that minimizes susceptibility to single points of failure. The FCS-MBx

SG Megablocks range has built-in SpurGuard™ protectors that prevent

a short circuit in any of the individual transmitters or spur cable runs,

from bringing down the entire fieldbus segment. A red LED near each

spur connection indicates when a spur is shorted and hence in "over

current" mode.