Moxa CP-132EL-DB9M interface card

The Moxa CP-132EL-DB9M is a 2-port PCI Express interface card for PC-based industrial automation and data acquisition. Each port supports RS-422/485 communication with data rates up to 921.6 kbps. The board uses DB9M/DB25 connectors for wired serial connections and is suitable for multi-point, long-distance RS-485 networks. The CP-132EL-I variant provides 2 kV optical isolation for improved protection in electrically noisy environments.

Advantages

The card supports two independent RS-422/485 ports capable of up to 921.6 kbps, enabling reliable high-speed serial communication. In RS-485 multidrop mode, a single port can connect up to 32 daisy-chained devices over distances up to 1.2 km. The CP-132EL family includes a model with 2 kV optical isolation (CP-132EL-I) to prevent damage from ground loops and voltage spikes. Drivers are available for Windows (COM) and Linux (TTY), and Moxa provides support for embedded operating systems, facilitating integration into diverse PC platforms.

Suitable for

• Industrial automation and control systems
• Long-distance RS-485 networks and multi-drop device connections
• Data acquisition and serial device integration on PC platforms
• Environments requiring electrical isolation (use CP-132EL-I)

Key specifications

• Interface: 2 RS-422/485 serial ports (DB9M/DB25 depending on cable/variant)
• Bus type: PCI Express (2-port card)
• Maximum data rate: 921.6 kbps
• RS-485 multidrop: up to 32 devices per port within 1.2 km
• Isolation (CP-132EL-I): 2 kV optical isolation
• Certifications: FCC Part 15 Class B, CE, RoHS
• Dimensions: 67.2 mm (W) x 102 mm (D)

How to use

Install the CP-132EL-DB9M into an available PCIe slot on a desktop or industrial PC. Connect serial devices using appropriate DB9 or DB25 cables and configure each port for RS-422 or RS-485 as required by the connected equipment. For RS-485 multidrop networks, daisy-chain up to 32 devices per port and verify termination and biasing to ensure signal integrity over long runs. Install the provided Windows COM or Linux TTY drivers and configure the serial port settings (baud rate up to 921.6 kbps, data bits, parity, stop bits) in your application.

Recommendations

For long-distance or electrically noisy installations, use the CP-132EL-I model with 2 kV optical isolation and ensure proper cable shielding, grounding, termination resistors, and biasing to maintain reliable RS-485 communication over distances up to 1.2 km.