The LK-RS4401 4-master buffered isolated RS485 hub connects four RS485 masters to one or more RS485 slaves. It queues the masters automatically and forwards their data without user intervention, eliminating the bus conflicts, data loss and errors that occur when several masters talk to the slaves at the same time. Data requested by master 1 is returned only to master 1, never to masters 2, 3 or 4, and likewise data requested by master 2 is returned only to master 2. Opto-isolation between the master and slave ports protects the masters from interference, and the 15 kV ESD and 5 kA lightning surge protection devices shield the equipment from lightning and static damage. Each of the five ports has an activity LED, so the state of every port can be seen at a glance. Data passes transparently between master and slave ports, and the frame format and baud rate can be set from the configuration software.
     This product suits automation control systems, surveillance systems, alarm systems, access control, IC-card payment, utility metering, campus card and car park payment installations, and other integrated RS485 communication systems.