May 26, 2026

Foxboro FCM2F2 Product Description

The Foxboro FCM2F2 (Part Number: RH914YZ) is a compact, rugged 2 Mbps fiber-optic fieldbus communication extender designed exclusively for the Foxboro I/A Series DCS (Schneider Electric EcoStruxure). As the short-distance variant in the FCM2F family, it supports fiber optic transmission up to 2 km, enabling remote deployment of 200 Series Fieldbus Modules (FBMs) close to plant processes. Built with a robust extruded aluminum enclosure and conformal coating, it delivers exceptional EMI/RFI immunity, complete electrical isolation, and reliable performance in ISA S71.04 G3 harsh industrial environments. The FCM2F2 eliminates ground loops, lightning surge risks, and electrical noise interference, making it ideal for high-noise areas and outdoor installations. It supports 1:1 redundant pairing and hot-swap capability, ensuring uninterrupted operation for mission-critical process control.

Description

Foxboro FCM2F2 Product Description

Product Overview

Basic Information

Manufacturer: Foxboro (Invensys, now Schneider Electric)
Model: FCM2F2 (Part Number: RH914YZ)
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 standard baseplate installation; pairs for redundancy
Protection Rating: IP20 (cabinet installation); full galvanic isolation between fiber and copper 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 (extended range: -40°C to +85°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 0.30–0.35 kg
Dimensions: 102 mm (H) × 45 mm (W) × 104 mm (D)
Country of Origin: United States

Function and Positioning

The FCM2F2 functions as a short-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 in high-noise, short-reach applications. Its core role is to transparently convert 2 Mbps HDLC fieldbus signals from copper to multimode fiber optics (and vice versa), enabling remote placement of FBMs up to 2 km from the control room. The fiber interface provides complete electrical isolation, eliminating ground loops and protecting against voltage differentials, EMI/RFI, and lightning—critical for areas with rotating machinery, high-voltage lines, or outdoor exposure. It supports 1:1 redundant pairing with seamless auto-failover (≤40 ms) and hot-swap capability, allowing maintenance without process shutdown. A single FCM2F2 or redundant pair can connect multiple baseplates, supporting up to 32 FBMs per chain and 128 FBMs per system, enabling scalable, cost-effective I/O integration for mid-sized process plants.

Core Performance Parameters

Communication Interfaces: 2 Mbps HDLC fieldbus (copper side, shielded twisted pair); multimode fiber optic (SC/ST connector, 62.5/125 μm)
Signal Conversion: Bidirectional 2 Mbps HDLC fieldbus ↔ multimode 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: Up to 2 km (1.24 mi) multimode fiber; total fiber length ≤20 km; fieldbus copper length ≤60 m
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 and event logging 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: Multimode 62.5/125 μm; wavelength 1300 nm; SC/ST connector compatibility

General Adaptable Accessories

DCS Chassis: I/A Series DIN rail mounting bases, standard baseplates, and rack-mount enclosures for FCM2F2 and FBM deployment
Communication Cables: 2 Mbps HDLC fieldbus shielded twisted pair cables, 62.5/125 μm multimode fiber optic cables, redundant synchronization cables
Interface Adapters: Fiber SC/ST to copper converters, fieldbus terminal blocks, signal conditioners, and isolation barriers for hazardous areas
Redundancy Accessories: Redundant 24 VDC power supplies, failover control modules, and synchronization cables for 1:1 FCM2F2 pairs
Mounting & Protection: DIN rail brackets, anti-vibration kits, ESD protection modules, conformal coating kits, and hazardous area barrier modules
Spare Parts: Replacement aluminum enclosures, LED indicator assemblies, fiber connector kits, and connection terminals

Applicable Equipment and Fields

The FCM2F2 is designed for mid-sized process industries using Foxboro I/A Series DCS, especially those requiring short-distance fiber communication and high noise immunity. Key sectors include oil and gas (refining, petrochemicals), thermal power generation, chemical manufacturing, pulp and paper, water and wastewater treatment, pharmaceuticals, metals and mining, and food and beverage processing. 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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