Schneider TSXCUSBMBP | USB to Modbus Plus Adapter Gateway for Unity Pro
Schneider TSXCUSBMBP | USB to Modbus Plus Adapter Gateway for Unity Pro - Image 2
Schneider TSXCUSBMBP | USB to Modbus Plus Adapter Gateway for Unity Pro - Image 3

Schneider TSXCUSBMBP | USB to Modbus Plus Adapter Gateway for Unity Pro

  • Model: TSXCUSBMBP
  • Brand: Schneider Electric (Telemecanique)
  • Series: Magelis XBT / Modicon Accessories
  • Core Function: Acts as a bridge to connect a modern PC’s USB port to a legacy Modbus Plus (MB+) industrial network.
  • Type: Communication Adapter / Gateway
  • Key Specs: USB Type-A connector, supports MB+ data rates up to 1 Mbps, Green Premium compliant.
Category: SKU: Schneider TSXCUSBMBP 

Description

Key Technical Specifications

Parameter Specification
Part Number TSXCUSBMBP
Interface Type USB 2.0 (Type A Female)
Network Protocol Modbus Plus (MB+)
Data Rate 1 Mbps (standard MB+ speed)
Compatibility Unity Pro, PowerLogic, Vijeo Citect
Power Supply Powered via USB Bus (5V DC)
Weight Approx. 0.34 kg
Dimensions 140 mm x 55 mm x 225 mm (packaged)
Certifications UL, CSA, CE, Green Premium (RoHS/REACh)
Cable Support Requires standard USB A-B cable (not always included)

 

Product Introduction

If you are still running a Modicon Quantum PLC from the late 90s, you know the pain of trying to connect a modern laptop to it. The old PCMCIA cards (like the TSXSCP114) don’t fit into modern computers, and native RS-485 ports are extinct. That is where the Schneider TSXCUSBMBP saves your life. It is essentially a translator that lets you use a standard USB port to talk to the yellow-trunk Modbus Plus network.I keep one of these in my field kit because it is the only reliable way to upload logic or troubleshoot alarms on legacy hardware without carrying a dusty, ancient laptop. It works seamlessly with Unity Pro and Vijeo Citect. Unlike some cheap knockoffs, this adapter handles the token passing of the MB+ network correctly, ensuring you don’t get those intermittent “communication timeout” errors while downloading a critical patch at 3 AM.

Quality SOP & Tech Pitfalls (The Reality Check)

The Lab Report (SOP)

We don’t just assume it works; USB adapters are notorious for handshake issues.

  1. Physical Inspection: We check the USB port for looseness. A wobbly port means a broken solder joint internally.
  2. Loopback Test: We connect it to a live Modbus Plus network simulator. We verify that the “Tx” and “Rx” LEDs toggle when traffic is present.
  3. Driver Verification: We test it on Windows 10/11 to ensure the driver signature is valid and doesn’t crash the OS (a common issue with counterfeit clones).
  4. Load Test: We leave it connected for 24 hours to ensure it doesn’t overheat, as these can get warm during heavy data polling.

The Engineer’s Warning (Pitfalls)

Watch out for the Driver Hell.
The hardware is solid, but the software side is tricky. This device relies on specific drivers (often the MBPLUS20 driver or similar within the Unity installation). If you install it on a fresh Windows 10 machine, don’t just let Windows Update pick a driver—it might grab a generic one that won’t talk to the PLC. Always point the Device Manager to the Schneider installation folder manually. I once spent four hours troubleshooting a “dead” PLC only to realize the laptop had assigned the wrong COM port emulation to the adapter.

 

Installation & Configuration Guide

Getting this online requires more than just plugging it in.

  1. Software First
    • Install Unity Pro or the standalone drivers provided by Schneider before plugging in the USB device. This ensures the INF files are ready.
  2. Hardware Connection
    • Connect the USB cable to your laptop.
    • Connect the other end (usually a DB9 male connector via a separate cable like the TSXCBT50 or similar wiring) to the Modbus Plus port on the PLC processor or network tap.
    • ⚠️ CRITICAL: Ensure you are plugged into the MB+ port (often green terminals), not the standard Modbus RS-485 port. They look similar but use different protocols.
  3. Driver Assignment
    • Open Device Manager. Verify the device appears under “Universal Serial Bus controllers” or “Ports (COM & LPT)” without a yellow warning triangle.
  4. Configuration in Software
    • In Unity Pro, go to the IO Server configuration.
    • Add a new board and select “Modbus Plus” (not Modbus Serial).
    • Select the TSXCUSBMBP as the communication path. If configured correctly, you will see the station addresses appear in the network scan list.

 

Compatible Replacement Models

Compatibility Model Number Notes
✅ Direct Equivalent TSXCUSBMBP The standard USB-to-MB+ adapter.
⚠️ Legacy Hardware TSXSCP114 PCMCIA card version. Requires a laptop with a PCMCIA slot (rare now).
⚠️ Older Serial SA85-000-0 The classic ISA card. Obsolete and requires an old desktop PC.
❌ Incompatible TM221C24R This is a Logic Controller, not a comms adapter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does this work with Windows 10 and 11?
A: Yes, but it is picky. You usually need Unity Pro v10.0 or higher to get the correct drivers installed automatically. If you are using very old software (like Concept v2.6), you might struggle with driver signing.Q: Can I use this to program a Modbus TCP device?
A: No. This is strictly for Modbus Plus (the proprietary peer-to-peer token passing network). For Modbus TCP, you just use a standard Ethernet cable.Q: Why is my communication extremely slow?
A: Check the network termination. Modbus Plus requires proper termination resistors (jumpers) at the ends of the trunk line. If the network is noisy, this adapter will drop packets.Q: Does it come with the cable to plug into the PLC?
A: Usually no. The TSXCUSBMBP is just the adapter. You typically need a separate cable (like a 9-pin D-Sub cable) to connect the adapter to the PLC’s port.Q: Is this compatible with Vijeo Citect SCADA?
A: Yes. You need to install the “MBPLUS” IO Server driver within Citect Explorer. It treats the USB adapter exactly like a physical network card.

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