model
Multi-Drop Breakout Boxes
Power & Communications for Multiple Alicat Instruments
Alicat’s BB3 and BB9 multi-drop breakout boxes make building your own local flow control network easy. Control up to nine Alicat flow or pressure instruments from a single computer or programmable logic controller (PLC) connection. Breakout boxes also distribute power to all connected devices from a single power source. Each BB3 and BB9 is built into a light, yet rugged, composite chassis that can be mounted in any orientation via its 3/16″ diameter mounting holes.
- Compatible with instruments that have 8-pin mini-DIN or 6-pin locking industrial connectors.
- Communicate with all devices digitally via a single USB or serial cable.
- Distribute power to all devices with a single power source.
- Multiple breakout boxes can be daisy-chained to control up to 26 instruments.
9-position Multi-drop Breakout box for RS-232
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Compatible instruments
- Order a BB9-232 if your Alicat instruments are equipped with our standard 8-pin mini-DIN connector. Use double-ended DC-62RS cables to connect your instruments to the BB9.
- Order a BB9-I-232 if your Alicat instruments are equipped with our 6-pin locking industrial connector. Use double-ended IC102 cables to connect your instruments to the BB9.
Communications
Connect your BB9-232 to a computer or PLC using one of the methods below. You may connect multiple BB9-232’s to support up to 26 instruments.
- USB 2.0 (USB A-B cable included)
- RS-232 9-pin serial port (cable included)
- Terminal block transmit and receive sockets (RX/TX)
Power
Connected devices receive power from the BB9’s common power bus. Power connected at any point in the system is distributed to all devices.
- Connect a PVPS24U power supply (not included) to the BB9’s barrel-type power jack (max 1.5 amps).
- Connect a PVPS24U power supply (not included) to any instrument to distribute power to the rest (max 2 amps).
- Free wire power to the BB9’s terminal block power and ground sockets (max 16 amps).
Dimensions: 7.625″ x 5.125″ x 1.625″ (19.3 x 12.9 x 4.1 cm)
Weight: 0.6 lb (0.3 kg)
In the box
- BB9-232 or BB9-I-232 multi-drop breakout box
- USB A to B cable (male-male)
- Download the Windows, Mac OS or Linux driver here: https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.
- 9-pin D-sub serial cable (female-female)
- BB9-232 operating manual
Accessories
3-position multi-drop breakout box for RS-232
BB3-232 3-position multi-drop breakout box with 8-pin connectors for RS-232
Compatible instruments
- Order a BB3-232 if your Alicat instruments are equipped with our standard 8-pin mini-DIN connector. Use double-ended DC-62RS cables to connect your instruments to the BB3.
- Order a BB3-I-232 if your Alicat instruments are equipped with our 6-pin locking industrial connector. Use double-ended IC102 cables to connect your instruments to the BB3.
Communications
Connect your BB3-232 to a computer or PLC using one of the methods below.
- USB 2.0 (USB A-B cable included)
- RS-232 9-pin serial port (cable included)
- Terminal block transmit and receive sockets (RX/TX)
BB3-I-232 3-position multi-drop breakout box with 6-pin industrial connectors for RS-232
Power
Connected devices receive power from the BB3’s common power bus. Power connected at any point in the system is distributed to all devices.
- Connect a PVPS24U power supply (not included) to the BB3’s barrel-type power jack (max 1.5 amps).
- Connect a PVPS24U power supply (not included) to any instrument to distribute power to the rest (max 2 amps).
- Free wire power to the BB3’s terminal block power and ground sockets (max 16 amps).
Dimensions: 6.875″ x 3.625″ x 1.625″ (17.4 x 9.2 x 4.1 cm)
Weight: 0.5 lb (0.2 kg)
In the box
- BB3-232 or BB3-I-232 multi-drop breakout box
- USB A to B cable (male-male)
- Download the Windows, Mac OS or Linux driver here: https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.
- 9-pin D-sub serial cable (female-female)
- BB3-232 operating manual
Accessories
3-position BB3 Kit
Alicat BB3-232 3-position breakout box kit with included cables
Alicat Scientific’s BB3 Kit includes everything you need to connect up to three Alicat flow or pressure instruments to a single computer or programmable logic controller (PLC) over a USB or serial connection. The BB3 Kit includes a universal power supply and three matching double-ended cables to connect up to three Alicats with standard 8-pin or 6-pin industrial connectors.
Kit options
- BB3-232-KIT includes the BB3-232 breakout box, three 6-foot 8-pin mini-DIN cables for digital communications and power, and a universal power supply.
- BB3-I-232-KIT includes the BB3-I-232 breakout box, three 6-foot 6-pin locking industrial cables for digital communications and power, and a universal power supply.
In the box
- BB3-232 or BB3-I-232 multi-drop breakout box
- Three (3) 6-foot (2m) double-ended cables for communications and power
- USB A to B cable (male-male)
- Download the Windows, Mac OS or Linux driver here: https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.
- 9-pin D-sub serial cable (female-female)
- Universal power supply with barrel-type connector (not pictured)
- BB3-232 operating manual
