Purchase now the Allen-Bradley 1784-U2CN — the professional-grade USB to Data Highway Plus (DH+) communication interface cable engineered for seamless connectivity between modern PCs and legacy Allen-Bradley DH+ networks.
What Is the Allen-Bradley 1784-U2CN?
The 1784-U2CN is a USB communication cable designed to connect a PC USB port directly to an Allen-Bradley Data Highway Plus (DH+) network. It replaces the need for a dedicated communication card (such as the 1784-KTX), making it an essential tool for engineers and maintenance technicians who need to program, monitor, or troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLCs — including the PLC-5, SLC 500, and MicroLogix families — without installing additional hardware inside the PC.
Key Technical Specifications
- Interface: USB (Type A) to DH+ network
- Compatible networks: Data Highway Plus (DH+)
- Compatible software: RSLogix 5, RSLogix 500, RSLinx Classic
- Operating systems: Windows (driver required)
- Cable length: Approximately 1.8 m (6 ft)
- Connector type (network side): 6-pin mini-DIN
- Power supply: Bus-powered via USB
- Isolation: Optical isolation for network protection
Compatible Allen-Bradley Platforms
The 1784-U2CN is compatible with a wide range of Allen-Bradley controllers and communication modules, including:
- PLC-5 processors with DH+ port
- SLC 500 processors (5/03, 5/04, 5/05)
- MicroLogix 1500 with DH+ communication card
- 1747-AIC Advanced Interface Converter
- 1785-KA communication adapters
Installation Advice
Before installing the 1784-U2CN, ensure you download and install the correct USB driver from the Rockwell Automation official support portal. Windows 10 and Windows 11 may require manual driver installation as the device is not always auto-detected. Once the driver is active, configure RSLinx Classic to recognise the cable under Configure Drivers > USB Devices. Always connect the cable to the DH+ network terminal — typically the programming port on the front of the PLC processor — before launching RSLinx to avoid communication errors. Avoid using USB hubs; connect directly to a PC USB port for maximum stability.
Expert Tips
- If RSLinx does not detect the 1784-U2CN automatically, check Device Manager for unknown USB devices and update the driver manually.
- When working on live DH+ networks with multiple nodes, set the RSLinx driver node address to one not currently in use (typically node 0 is safe for programming stations).
- The optical isolation built into the cable protects your PC from electrical noise common in industrial environments — do not bypass or modify this protection.
- Keep firmware and RSLinx Classic updated to ensure full compatibility with the cable USB chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the 1784-U2CN be used with RSLogix 5000 / Studio 5000?
A: No. The 1784-U2CN is designed exclusively for DH+ networks. RSLogix 5000 and Studio 5000 communicate over EtherNet/IP or ControlNet. For those platforms, use an Ethernet cable or the 1784-U2DHP.
Q: Is the 1784-U2CN compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11?
A: Yes, but manual driver installation is required. Download the latest driver from the Rockwell Automation support site and follow the installation guide specific to your Windows version.
Q: Does the 1784-U2CN require an external power supply?
A: No. The cable is fully bus-powered through the USB connection. No external power adapter is needed.
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