Description
Key Technical Specifications
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Model Number: VBX01BA
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Manufacturer: ABB
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Function: 16-channel isolated DI + 16-channel isolated DO + RS485 bus repeater
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Digital I/O: 16 DI (70–132 V AC on, 0–20 V AC off) / 16 DO (relay or transistor, NPN/PNP jumper)
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Bus Spec: RS485, 9.6 k–12 Mbps, 1 km max cable, 31 slaves
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Isolation: 250 V AC continuous / 1500 V AC instantaneous (field-to-backplane)
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Power: 24 V DC ±20 %, 220 mA @ 5 V when all I/O on
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Response Time: 0.5–100 ms selectable (ON) via software filter
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Operating Temperature: −25 °C … +70 °C, 5–95 % RH non-condensing
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Enclosure: IP67, metal, DIN-rail or vertical-column mount
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Dimensions: 90 H × 35 W × 130 D mm (approx.)
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Weight: 200 g
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RoHS: Compliant
ABB VBX01BA
Field Application & Problem Solved
In the field, the biggest pain on older HN800/CW800 racks is running out of 120 V AC I/O close to the robot. VBX01BA drops onto the vertical column and gives you 16 isolated inputs plus 16 outputs plus a 12 Mbps RS485 repeater—no extra CPU, no external 24 V brick. You’ll typically find it bolted to the side of UR robot columns, paint skids, or any HN800 node where the engineer wants more 120 V I/O without pulling new home-run cables. Its main value: it’s IP67 and robot-grade flex, so you don’t get intermittent faults after six months of 2 m/s bends.
In the field, the biggest pain on older HN800/CW800 racks is running out of 120 V AC I/O close to the robot. VBX01BA drops onto the vertical column and gives you 16 isolated inputs plus 16 outputs plus a 12 Mbps RS485 repeater—no extra CPU, no external 24 V brick. You’ll typically find it bolted to the side of UR robot columns, paint skids, or any HN800 node where the engineer wants more 120 V I/O without pulling new home-run cables. Its main value: it’s IP67 and robot-grade flex, so you don’t get intermittent faults after six months of 2 m/s bends.
Installation & Maintenance Pitfalls (Expert Tips)
120 V AC polarity matters – Inputs are AC but the common must land on the designated terminal; reverse it and you’ll see “input stuck on” faults.
RS485 termination – Terminate 120 Ω at the far end of the bus. Missing it gives “comm-fail” every time a VFD starts.
Filter length trap – Software filter defaults to 20 ms; if you need <1 ms response for a safety gate, set it to 0.5 ms and re-allocate memory or the gate won’t trip in time.
IP67 gasket check – If you see moisture inside, the gasket is nicked—replace it or you’ll chase corrosion faults in six months.
Vertical-column keying – The module keys itself; don’t force it or you’ll break the plastic lock.
ABB VBX01BA
Technical Deep Dive & Overview
VBX01BA is a slave I/O + bus repeater module. Inside: 16 opto-isolated AC inputs, 16 relay/transistor outputs, and a 12 Mbps RS485 transceiver with automatic direction control. The FPGA handles the backplane handshake and buffers 256 bytes per channel, so the CPU sees smooth data even if the bus stutters. No user firmware—set baud, node ID, and filter length in the HN800 configurator and you’re live. Lose 24 V and the whole card goes dark—tie it to the same UPS feeding the I/O rack.
VBX01BA is a slave I/O + bus repeater module. Inside: 16 opto-isolated AC inputs, 16 relay/transistor outputs, and a 12 Mbps RS485 transceiver with automatic direction control. The FPGA handles the backplane handshake and buffers 256 bytes per channel, so the CPU sees smooth data even if the bus stutters. No user firmware—set baud, node ID, and filter length in the HN800 configurator and you’re live. Lose 24 V and the whole card goes dark—tie it to the same UPS feeding the I/O rack.
