In fact, there is no such thing as an RS485 cable since RS485 is a protocol for serial communication (like between inverter and Zero export device) and Ethernet is a protocol for carrying internet data (between router and inverter) whereas CAT6 is a cable standard. They use the digi xtend wireless modems, which are specifically made to be universal, per the manufacturers website (which I take to mean they probably use asynchronous serial communication). But You stated you are going to install this at a commercial setting, so it always better to use the worst case environment situations, and use shielded cable. 1. Connect the RS485 and your PC/Laptop through a LAN cable. Just hook up the device to your LAN via Ethernet and the Photon via WiFi. Photon. In your setup the Photon can act as PC or a "man in the middle" to the PC. TXsoil can be configured and read with a smartphone or PC, with just a few clicks.

If the bus is longer than a few meters then some kind of twisted pair cable is recommended. Now, I’m still not sure if I have all of the information needed to make a decision on this project, there is still quite a few assumptions being made with no evidence to be found to back it up; also none to dispute it. If you are planning to replace the cable between two existing RS485 nodes, you need a way to talk to the nodes on either side, and that would still be RS485. In order to increase the extent of the Modbus network, repeaters can be used; and signal amplifying and regenerating devices provided with two communication ports that transfer to each what they receive from the other. Now there was certain instances I used STP wire for rs485 because I had a lot of devices connected in a long run chain (DMX512 lighting fixtures). 3106A is what I typically use to wire balanced audio. This makes it extremely cheap and easy to use large EV batteries in a true plug'n'play fashion!

Because they are produced in such large quantities, Cat 5 cables are relatively inexpensive, often less than half the price of specialty RS-485 cabling. The capacitance is close to 12.5 pF/foot but there is a small impedance mismatch (100 ohms for Cat 5, 120 ohms for RS-485). 100 ohms, Cat 5 cables almost meets the electrical requirements for RS-485 cables. The WattNode® BACnet and Modbus® meters communicate using RS-485 (TIA/EIA-485-A) half-duplex, differential signaling at 9600, 19200, 38400, and 76,800 baud. This provides high noise immunity and allows distances up to 4,000 ft (1200 meters). It gets away most of the time with this configuration, with the shield draining noise and providing the ground reference at the same time. Read rates vary with counters, since they are normally controlled by the user entry Gate Time. But it does not work ALL the time. 2 wires is all you need to make it work. You need to find some datasheets/appliction notes to get that info too before being able to make a educated choice. If you use a twisted pair cable, make sure to use the same twisted pair for A and B, but use another twisted pair for GND.

Even better is Ethernet cable, because it is twisted and often shielded. No matter the devices, it is always good on real site installation to use a shielded cable, with 18-22AWG wiring and the shield connected ONLY to one end of the line. I’m looking for controller to AI devices, which they only list 485, and 900mhz as options. I’m looking to communicate between the controller and the keypads, or other devices, here is what I found from technical specifications, they’re not extremely transparent. Shield on communication cable is to remain continuous and ground only at the controller. To connect an RS485 device or RS485 network to any PC or controller, the PC or the controller should provide RS485 interface also. It receives signals on one network and re-transmits them on another. It uses balanced differential signals for send and receive. Then use front panel programming to set the baud rate, protocol, digital address, half or full duplex, and other available parameters. They also provide the parameters for communication for this particular controller, and it’s predecessor, here. 8 (D-) for RS485 communication.