Description
Product Overview
The B&R 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 is a three-port PCI Ethernet expansion card designed for compatible B&R industrial PC platforms. It provides three separate 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet connections through shielded RJ45 interfaces, allowing an industrial computer to connect to multiple machine networks or communication segments without relying solely on its onboard network ports. The card uses Intel 82551ER Ethernet controllers and supports both 3.3 V and 5 V PCI signaling, making it suitable for compatible systems with a standard 16-bit PCI slot.
In an industrial control environment, network separation can be important when an IPC communicates with PLCs, operator stations, machine subsystems, or plant-level infrastructure. The 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 supplies additional physical Ethernet interfaces for these arrangements. Each port has LED status indicators for link, activity, and connection speed. The specified transfer rate is 10/100 Mbit/s, with a maximum segment length of 100 meters between two stations. These characteristics make the card relevant to legacy industrial PC installations where existing network topology and application software depend on established PCI hardware.
The B&R 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 is not a universal replacement for every PCI network adapter. Physical slot compatibility is only one part of the installation check. The host computer’s PCI slot availability, operating system, driver package, BIOS configuration, and B&R platform support must also be reviewed. B&R documentation identifies approved driver support for specific legacy operating systems, including Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Embedded, and MS-DOS in the documented platform context. Before replacing a failed card, record the existing network configuration and verify that the correct driver is available for the target IPC.
Product Introduction
When an industrial PC handles several communication paths, losing one expansion card can interrupt connections to multiple machine or plant networks. The B&R 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 provides three shielded RJ45 Ethernet ports on one half-size PCI card, each using an Intel 82551ER controller and supporting 10/100 Mbit/s communication.
Its universal 3.3 V / 5 V PCI design helps with installation in supported legacy IPC hardware. The important qualification is software: confirm the host platform and operating-system driver before treating a replacement card as ready for service.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product model | 5ACPCI.ETH3-01 |
| Manufacturer | B&R Industrial Automation |
| Product type | PCI Ethernet expansion card |
| B&R ID code | 0xA58B |
| Form factor | Half-size PCI card |
| PCI voltage compatibility | 3.3 V and 5 V |
| PCI slot description | Standard 16-bit PCI slot |
| Ethernet port count | 3 |
| Ethernet controller | Intel 82551ER |
| Connector type | Shielded RJ45 |
| Data transfer rate | 10/100 Mbit/s |
| Maximum segment length | 100 m between two stations |
| Cabling | S/STP, Category 5e |
| Diagnostics | LED status indicators |
| Certifications | CE, UKCA, cULus |
| Hazardous-location rating | cULus HazLoc, Class I, Division 2, Groups ABCD |
The 10/100 Mbit/s rating is the manufacturer’s specified data rate. Do not interpret this as Gigabit Ethernet support. The exact host-system compatibility and driver requirements should be checked against the applicable B&R IPC documentation.
5ACPCI.ETH3-01
Related Products
- 5ACPCI.ETH1-01 – Single-port PCI Ethernet card. It provides one 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet connection rather than the three ports on the 5ACPCI.ETH3-01. It is not a direct functional replacement where all three network connections are required.
- 5SWHMI.0000-00 – B&R HMI Drivers and Utilities DVD, documented as containing drivers, utilities, software upgrades, and manuals for supported B&R panel-system products.
- 5PC600.SX01-00 – APC620 system-unit configuration referenced in B&R documentation. Check the exact chassis and available PCI slot before selecting an expansion card.
- 5ACCAMSC.0001-00 – APC810 internal supply cable; a platform accessory rather than an Ethernet-card substitute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which industrial computers support the B&R CI.?
The card is documented as an accessory for compatible B&R industrial PC platforms, including APC and Panel PC product documentation. Compatibility depends on the exact computer model, CPU board, PCI slot availability, and operating system. Check the host system’s hardware manual before installation.
Q2: Can I hot-swap the CI. while the industrial PC is running?
Do not assume that hot-swapping is supported. This is a PCI expansion card, and the documented product information does not establish a live insertion or removal procedure. Shut down and isolate the IPC according to the equipment manufacturer’s instructions before removing or installing the card.
Q3: Does the CI. support firmware v3.1?
The card’s published specifications identify its Intel 82551ER controllers and Ethernet capabilities, but do not establish a general firmware v3.1 compatibility claim. Driver support is tied to the host IPC and operating system. Verify the exact software environment rather than relying on a firmware number alone.
Q4: Can the three Ethernet ports operate at the same time?
The card is specified with three Ethernet interfaces. Each port provides its own physical network connection and status indicators. Actual simultaneous operation and network configuration depend on the installed driver, operating system, and host application. Confirm all three interfaces individually during commissioning.
Q5: Can I replace the CI. with the single-port 5ACPCI.ETH1-01?
Not as a like-for-like replacement if the application uses all three Ethernet connections. The ETH1 model provides one port, while the model provides three. A single-port card would require a deliberate network redesign and software configuration changes.
Q6: What should be checked when purchasing a new-surplus or refurbished card?
Verify the complete part number, PCB and connector condition, PCI edge contacts, and all three RJ45 ports. Ask for evidence that each port establishes a link and transfers data. Confirm whether the original packaging is present, but do not use packaging condition alone as proof of unused status.
Q7: Will replacing the Ethernet card preserve the existing network configuration?
The card itself does not establish that network settings will be retained. IP addresses, interface assignments, routing, application bindings, and driver configuration are generally managed by the host operating system and application. Record the current configuration before replacement, then verify interface recognition and communication with each connected device after installation.
Engineering note: The main replacement risks are an incompatible PCI host, missing legacy drivers, and incorrect reassignment of the three network interfaces. Confirm those items before installation rather than relying on the card’s physical fit alone.
