Description

The SST-PB3-PCU-2 is a high-performance, universal PCI communication card manufactured by Woodhead Software & Electronics (a subsidiary of Molex). This card enables industrial PCs, supervisory computers, and human-machine interfaces (HMIs) to establish deterministic, high-speed connections to Profibus DP (Master Class 1 & 2, or Slave) and Profibus FMS networks. It is widely used across automated production lines, wastewater facilities, and automotive manufacturing to bridge PC-based control systems with field instrumentation.

Commercial Availability & Terms

• Condition: New Original (Factory Sealed Surplus) or Refurbished (Tested, Insulated, and Certified)
• Warranty: 12-Month Comprehensive Industrial Automation Warranty
• Availability: In Stock / Legacy Allocation
• Standard Lead Time: Ships within 1–2 business days via global express shipping networks
• Pricing Note: Price depends on current legacy market availability and software utility validation status. Contact our automation sales desk for a firm, time-bound quotation.

Technical Specifications

Field Integration & Configuration Constraints

When installing or swapping the SST-PB3-PCU-2 network interface card inside an industrial PC enclosure, several technical constraints must be accounted for:

• Universal PCI Bus Keying: The “-2” designation indicates a universal keyed PCI interface. This features dual notches on the card’s gold edge fingers, allowing it to be inserted safely into legacy 5 V only slots as well as modern, low-voltage 3.3 V PCI slots. Ensure the motherboard chassis stands are secure and the card is fully seated before fastening the rear bracket to prevent intermittent bus connection faults.
• Driver and Stack Alignment: Because this is a specialized legacy communication tool, driver lifecycle matching is vital. The board relies on the Molex SST console software configuration utility. Ensure that your HMI/SCADA software (such as Wonderware InTouch, Rockwell FactoryTalk View, or a custom C++/C# wrapper) uses a communication driver matching the precise version of the SST system DLLs loaded on the operating system.
• Profibus Network Termination: The 9-pin D-sub connector requires proper physical network segmentation. If this card sits at either physical end of the Profibus cable run, you must utilize a Profibus plug with an integrated termination resistor switch turned to the ON position. Leaving a terminal node unterminated will introduce signal reflections, leading to cyclic communication dropouts at higher baud rates (1.5 Mbps to 12 Mbps).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact difference between the older SST-PB3-PCU and the newer SST-PB3-PCU-2?

The primary difference lies in physical bus hardware voltage compatibility. The original legacy card was strictly designed for 5 V PCI slots found on older motherboards. The “Universal” design of the SST-PB3-PCU-2 features split keyways on the gold fingers, allowing it to drop into newer, low-voltage 3.3 V motherboard slots without risking an overvoltage short circuit.

Can this card run simultaneously as a Profibus Master and Slave?

Yes. Thanks to the onboard RISC processor and the flexible configuration architecture of the SST console software, the card can be set up to concurrently operate as a Class 1 Master managing a set of remote I/O drops, while simultaneously acting as a Slave station responding to commands from an upstream plant-wide supervisor PLC.

How do you diagnose a flashing red error status via the software utility?

A red status block inside the SST diagnostics utility typically indicates a network configuration mismatch or a token-ring timeout. Cross-reference the assigned Station Address (Node ID) of the card against the active project database. If two devices on the same Profibus network share identical node addresses, the network token will corrupt, and the board will isolate itself from the bus to prevent a system crash.