May 26, 2026

Foxboro FCM2F Product Description

The Foxboro FCM2F is a compact, rugged fiber-optic fieldbus communication extender for the Foxboro I/A Series DCS (Schneider Electric EcoStruxure). It is designed to extend 2 Mbps HDLC fieldbus signals between DIN-rail baseplates via fiber optics, enabling remote, noise-immune deployment of 200 Series Fieldbus Modules (FBMs) near plant processes. Built with an extruded aluminum enclosure and conformal coating, it delivers superior EMI/RFI immunity, full electrical isolation, and reliable performance in G3 harsh industrial environments. The FCM2F family includes three variants—FCM2F2 (2 km), FCM2F4 (4 km), and FCM2F10 (10 km)—to support diverse distance requirements. It supports redundant pairing for fault tolerance and hot-swap capability, making it ideal for mission-critical process control where long-distance, interference-free communication is essential.

Description

Foxboro FCM2F Product Description

Product Overview

Basic Information

Manufacturer: Foxboro (Invensys, now Schneider Electric)
Model: FCM2F (variants: FCM2F2 / RH914YZ, FCM2F4 / RH917JA, FCM2F10 / RH916TQ)
Product Type: Fiber-Optic Fieldbus Communication Extender
Applicable System: Foxboro I/A Series DCS (compatible with all I/A Series control processors and 200 Series FBMs)
Mounting Style: DIN rail mount or rack-mounted baseplate installation
Protection Rating: IP20 (cabinet installation); full galvanic isolation between fiber and fieldbus segments
Construction: Rugged extruded aluminum housing with conformal coating; compact form factor
Certifications: CE, UL, CSA compliant; meets ISA S71.04 G3 harsh environment standards
Operating Temperature: -20°C to +70°C
Storage Temperature: -40°C to +85°C
Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing
Vibration/Shock: 5–200 Hz, 0.15 g; 30 g half-sine shock (11 ms duration)
MTBF: ≥120,000 hours
Weight: Approximately 0.28–0.30 kg
Dimensions: 102 mm (H) × 45 mm (W) × 104 mm (D)
Country of Origin: United States

Function and Positioning

The FCM2F functions as a long-distance, noise-immune fieldbus signal extender and isolated communication hub within the I/A Series DCS, positioned for distributed I/O architectures requiring fiber-optic connectivity and high electromagnetic compatibility. Its core role is to transparently convert 2 Mbps HDLC fieldbus signals from copper to fiber optics (and vice versa), enabling remote placement of FBMs up to 10 km from the control room. The fiber interface eliminates ground loops, EMI/RFI interference, and lightning surge risks, making it ideal for high-noise areas, long cable runs, and outdoor installations. It supports 1:1 redundant pairing with automatic failover (≤40 ms) and hot-swap capability, allowing maintenance without process shutdown. A single FCM2F or redundant pair can connect multiple baseplates, supporting up to 128 FBMs per system, enabling scalable, high-density I/O integration for large process plants.

Core Performance Parameters

Communication Interfaces: 2 Mbps HDLC fieldbus (copper side); fiber optic (SC/ST connector, multimode for FCM2F2/F4, single-mode for FCM2F10)
Signal Conversion: Bidirectional 2 Mbps HDLC fieldbus ↔ fiber optic translation
Isolation: Complete galvanic isolation between fiber and copper networks; channel-to-channel isolation
FBM Capacity: Up to 32 FBMs per baseplate chain; up to 128 FBMs per system
Transmission Distance: FCM2F2 (up to 2 km), FCM2F4 (up to 4 km), FCM2F10 (up to 10 km); total fiber length ≤20 km
Power Supply: 24 VDC ±5% (–10% tolerance); power consumption ≤7 W (max)
Diagnostics: Six dual-color LEDs for power, link, and fault status; supports remote monitoring via I/A Series System Manager
Redundancy: 1:1 module redundancy with seamless auto-failover; redundant fiber network support
EMI Compliance: Industrial-grade noise immunity (IEC 61000-4-2/3/4/5); G3 harsh environment compliant
Fiber Specifications: FCM2F2/F4: 62.5/125 μm multimode; FCM2F10: 9/125 μm single-mode; wavelength 1300 nm

General Adaptable Accessories

DCS Chassis: I/A Series DIN rail mounting bases and rack-mount enclosures for FCM2F and FBM deployment
Communication Cables: 2 Mbps HDLC fieldbus shielded twisted pair cables, multimode/single-mode fiber optic cables, redundant synchronization cables
Interface Adapters: Fiber SC/ST to copper converters, fieldbus terminal blocks, signal conditioners, isolation barriers for hazardous areas
Redundancy Accessories: Redundant 24 VDC power supplies, failover control modules, synchronization cables for 1:1 FCM2F pairs
Mounting & Protection: DIN rail brackets, anti-vibration kits, ESD protection modules, conformal coating kits, hazardous area barrier modules
Spare Parts: Replacement aluminum enclosures, LED indicator assemblies, fiber connector kits, connection terminals

Applicable Equipment and Fields

The FCM2F is designed for large-scale process industries using Foxboro I/A Series DCS, especially those requiring distributed I/O and long-distance fiber communication in high-noise environments. Key sectors include oil and gas (refining, petrochemicals, offshore platforms), thermal and nuclear power generation, chemical manufacturing, pulp and paper, water and wastewater treatment, pharmaceuticals, metals and mining, and railway process systems. It is ideal for connecting remote FBMs housing HART/analog/digital I/O modules to the DCS in outdoor installations, remote process units, high-voltage substations, and areas with heavy electrical interference, ensuring reliable real-time monitoring and control in harsh industrial environments.

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