Modbus communication SMT3000I

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

I have a SMT3000I which I want to be able to communicate through the Modbus protocol.

According to APPLICATION NOTE #176, "No additional hardware is required for RS-232 Modbus communications".

Do I use the RJ50 serial port for this communicattion? In my search I have found a SmartSlot AP9622 with a DB9 connector but I'm not sure if I must get one of theese or if the UPS is hardware-wise good to go?

I would prefer Mobbus RTU over RS485 or Modbus TCP. 

I'm not sure when the UPS was manufactured, I have a serial number but haven't found any services at APC.com that can decode the serial into more specific information.

Edit: Found out that it was manufactured October 21, 2015

Regards

Mani

[BillP]

Hello - 

You UPS requires UPS Firmware Rev 9.0 (or later) to support Modbus RTU communications. If your unit currently has UPS Firmware 8.0 or later, it can be updated to support Modbus. You can find your current firmware revision on the LCD screen of the UPS under the "About" menu.

Firmware Update information can be found here: http://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/index?page=content&id=FA164737

Modbus RTU communications can be provided via the RJ50 Serial port (using the 940-0625A serial cable included with the UPS) or via USB. This is documented in section 4 of Application Note #176 ( http://www.apc.com/salestools/MPAO-98KJ7F/MPAO-98KJ7F_R1_EN.pdf ). The AP9622 card is used for Modbus RS-485 communications.

Hope this helps,

Liam

[Anonymous user]

Thanks Liam,

I think I go with 9622 card as RS485 is preferred over RS232.

Is the use of 9622 firmware dependant aswell?

EDIT: Are you sure AP9622 supports RS485 native? According to this I'll need a converter?

http://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA156062/

If this is true, Then I could just use the mentioned converter in the FAQ with the built in RS232 Modbus support instead?

[BillP]

I apologize - You are correct, you would need one of the adapters mentioned in that FAQ document to use the AP9622 card. The card is not firmware dependent.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks,

Would one of thoose adapters work aswell, if my UPS do have support for Modbus RS232 from the RJ50 serial port?

Or will they only work the 9622 card?

[BillP]

The adapter should work directly with the UPS, however it has not been tested.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I just wanted to jump in and comment that AP9622 is now discontinued. More importantly, if you did find it some place even though it is no longer a current offer, it also does not work with UPSs with model prefixes SMX or SMT, among other newer UPS offers. Here was the old compatibility list for reference. http://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA156127

If you chose not to use Modbus directly through the UPS itself, we'd recommend using Modbus TCP via APC Network Management Cards AP9630 or AP9631. Or, model AP9635 Network Management Card provides support for both Modbus TCP and Modbus serial with any Smart-UPS, such as SMT3000I.