Chapter 19

Cables

Introduction

This chapter describes the most popular cables required for connecting your video terminal, printing terminal and printer to processor buses, communication options and other peripherals in both local and remote applications.

The first section contains a series of interconnect cable tables, 19-1 through 19-6, for current and traditional products. These tables will help you find the cable needed for your application.

The second section, Cable Descriptions, discusses the key features of the more popular cables and includes ordering information. EIA, 20 mA and general purpose cables are featured.

The third section briefly describes some traditional cable products.

The final section describes some of the more popular connector kits.

While this chapter lists many of Digital’s most popular cables, it is not intended to be comprehensive. More information can be found in the Cables Handbook For The System Builder. Contact your sales representative or Digital’s Installed Base Group for more information.

Interconnect Cabling Tables

Tables 19-1 through 19-3 summarize the cables used for Digital’s current video terminal, printing terminal and printer products. Tables 19-4 through 19-6 summarize cables used for traditional video and printing terminals and printers.

Cable Descriptions

The following cables are commonly used for interconnection purposes. More details can be found in the Cables Handbook for the System Builder.

BCC04 Modem Cable

The BCC04 is the modem cable specifically designed for use with the VT200 family of video terminals and the personal computer product family. The cable is used to connect any personal computer with a modem and for Rainbow 100 only to a printer.

Its features include:

• Fully shielded cable and connector assembly
• Molded-on strain relief
• Connectors: one male and one female, 25-position, with D-subminiature molded-on construction

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the BCC04 cable assembly.

BCC05 Printer Cable

The BCC05 is the printer cable designed specifically for Digital’s VT200 video terminal and personal computer families. The cable is used to connect any personal computer with any of the specified Digital printers.

Its features include:

• Fully shielded cable and connector assembly
• Molded-on connectors and strain reliefs
• Connectors: one 9-position female D-subminiature and one 25-position female D-subminiature

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the BCC05 cable assembly.

BC03M Null Modem Cable

The BC03M is a null modem cable for local EIA connections. If features a 25-pin RS232 female connector at each end. The cable can be used with Digital processors as well as many processors not manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation. A typical hook-up is one end to the male connector of the EIA processor interface cable and the other end to a male connector of an EIA terminal.

Its features include:

• Individually shielded conductors
• 3-TWP to reduce cross-talk on signal lines
• Compact, rugged construction
• Connectors: two RS232 female connectors
• Ideally suited for long-length applications

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the BC03M null modem cable.

Cables over 100 feet are preassembled, with only one end fully terminated so the cable can be run through conduit.

BC05C Input/Output Cable

The BC05C is an EIA input/output cable used for asynchronous, serial line unit interfacing. The cable can be used for full or limited modem control applications. The H856 connector mates with the computer interface, and the RS232 male mates with a modem device or null modem connection.

Its features include:

• Built-in strain relief
• Compact, rugged
• Connectors: H856 and RS232 (male)

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the BC05C cable assembly.

BC05D Cable Assembly

The BC05D is a full modem control and EIA extension cable assembly. It is used for asynchronous modem and null modem EIA extension connections. The BC05D is a 25-conductor cable with RS232 female connector at one end and an RS232 male connector at the other. This cable assembly has been extensively tested over a wide range of baud rates.

Its features include:

• Built-in strain relief
• Compact, rugged
• Connectors: RS232 male and RS232 female

BC05M Cable Assembly

The BC05M is a current loop input/output cable assembly. It is used with Digital processors for 20 mA current loop interfacing applications. Its three-twisted pairs make it ideal for applications where minimizing cross-talk is necessary. Its performance approaches that of a coaxial cable, but it costs less, is more compact, and is more flexible.

Its features include:

• Shielded
• Built-in strain relief
• Connectors: H856 connector at one end and a MATE-N-LOK connector at the other; both are female connectors

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the BC05M cable assembly.

BC21B Cable Assembly

The BC21B is a cable assembly for use with the DLV11-J or MXV11. It is fabricated from three individually shielded twisted pairs, and has a male EIA RS232 connector with built-in strain relief at one end and a 10-pin keyed socket at the other end.

Its features include:

• Shielded conductors
• 3-TWP to reduce cross-talk on signal lines
• Built-in strain relief
• Connectors: EIA RS232, male, to 10-pin keyed socket H8560

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the BC21B cable assembly.

BC22A Null Modem Cable

This cable is a null modem cable assembly especially designed for connections to asynchronous EIA terminals such as the VT100, LA120 and the LA34. It connects these terminals directly to the male connector on the distribution panel of a communications option or to the cable from a serial processor interface.

Its features include:

• Tough, molded-on connectors for long life, reliability, compactness and easy grip
• Braided shield to minimize cross-talk
• Connectors: one EIA RS232 female connector at each end

BC22D Null Modem Cable

The BC22D is a fully shielded, null modem cable. It is designed to be used in asynchronous applications only. Its shielding characteristics have been tested and proven to limit RFI/EMI emissions in excess of industry standards. The cable has female RS232 molded-on connectors on each end.

Its features include:

• Braided and foil shields
• Shielding effectiveness: 30 dB minimum in 30 MHz-200 MHz range
• Rugged molded-on connectors
• Backward compatible with BC03M and BC22A
• Designed to be used with the DMF32 and DESCA
• Wide variety of standard lengths for flexible system configuration
• Connectors: two female, D-subminiature

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the BC22D null modem cable.

BC22E Modem Cable

The BC22E is a fully shielded asynchronous modem cable. Its shielding characteristics have been tested and proven to limit RFI/EMI emissions in excess of industry standards. The cable has one male and one female RS232 molded-on connector.

Its features include:

• Braided and foil shields
• Shielding effectiveness: 25 dB minimum in 200-500 MHz range
• Rugged molded-on connectors
• Backward compatible with the BC22B
• Designed to be used with the DMF32 and DESCA
• Wide variety of standard lengths for flexible system configuration
• Connectors: one male and one female 25-position D-subminiature

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the BC22E modem cable.

BC22F Cable Assembly

The BC22F is a fully shielded 25 conductor EIA cable. Its shielding characteristics have been tested and proven to limit RFI/EMI emissions in excess of industry standards. The cable can be used as a replacement in traditional BC05D asynchronous applications. It was also designed as the synchronous cable for use on the DMF32 synchronous port.

Its features include:

• Braided and foil shields
• Shielding effectiveness: 25 dB minimum in 200-500 MHz range
• Rugged molded-on connectors
• Backward compatible with BC05D
• Designed to be used with the DMF32 and DESCA
• Wide variety of standard lengths for flexible system configuration
• Connectors: one male and one female 25-position D-subminiature

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the BC22F cable assembly.

BC24C Null Modem Cable Assembly

The BC24C is a null modem cable assembly for use with the DLV11-J or MXV11. It is fabricated from three individually shielded twisted pair, and has a female EIA RS232 connector with built-in strain relief at one end and a 10-pin keyed socket at the other end.

Its features include:

• Shielded connectors
• 3-TWP to reduce cross-talk on signal lines
• Built-in strain relief
• Connectors: EIA RS232, female, to 10-pin and keyed socket H8560

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the BC24C cable assembly.

BC26S Cable Assembly

The BC26S is the cable designed as the terminal-to-printer cable or null modem cable for use on the VT278. The cable features two female 90° 25-position D-subminiature connectors on both ends, which allows the cable to fit inside the cable cover on the back of the VT278.

Its features include:

• Molded-on connectors and strain reliefs
• Braided and foil shields
• Variety of standard lengths for flexible configurations

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the BC26S cable assembly.

70-11212 Cable Assembly

The 70-11212 is an 18-twisted pair cable assembly commonly used for connections from LP-type lineprinters (except LP25) to LP11 or LPV11 controllers. It has a Winchester electronics connector at one end and an H856 connector at the other end. Note: For LP25 lineprinters-to-LP11 applications, use cable assembly 70-16560.

It features include:

• Rugged outside jacket for protection
• Twisted pair conductors reduce cross-talk on signal lines
• Connectors: one Winchester electronics 24-pin and one H856 (mates with H854)

The following are the part numbers and lengths available for the 70-11212 cable assembly.

Traditional Cable Descriptions

The following cables are also used for interconnection purposes. Again, more information can be found in the Cables Handbook for the System Builder.

BC03L

The BC03L is a round, 15-conductor, 22-AWG cable. It is used for PDP-11 serial interface panel mountings. It comes with filtered, male H856-RS232 connectors.

The following lengths are available for the BC03L cable.

BC04R

The BC04R is a round, 4-conductor, 20-AWG cable. It is used for PDP-8 general purpose module termination. It comes with 8-pin, 20 mA - 4 rings connectors.

The following lengths are available for the BC04R cable.

BC27A

The BC27A is a 26-conductor cable that connects a 37-pin female subminiature to a 50-pin male D-subminiature connector. It is used in the interconnection of LP25, LP26, LP27 and LP32 lineprinters.

The following lengths are available for the BC27A cable.

BN52A

The BN52A is a round, 6-conductor, 20-AWG cable. It is used in the interconnection of VT52 and VT55 video terminals. It comes with two male EIA RS232 connectors.

The following lengths are available for the BN52A cable.

70-16560

The 70-16560 is a round, 24-conductor, 24-AWG cable. It is used to connect LP25, LP26 and LP27 lineprinters to the LP11 controller. It comes with a H856 50-pin plug.

The following lengths are available for the 70-16560 cable.

Connector Kits

Table 19-26 lists some of Digital’s popular connector kits.