Woodhead SST-DN3-PCU-1 DeviceNet Interface Card

Product Details

SST-DN3-PCU-1 Product Description

The Woodhead SST-DN3-PCU-1 is a high-performance DeviceNet PCI interface card from the SST Series, engineered to bridge field-level devices and upper-level control systems across industrial automation networks. Designed for demanding smart factory environments, this interface card enables seamless, real-time data exchange between DeviceNet-compatible field devices — including sensors, actuators, variable frequency drives, and remote I/O modules — and host PLC controllers or SCADA platforms running on standard PCI-bus industrial PCs.

In modern production lines, data continuity is the backbone of operational efficiency. The SST-DN3-PCU-1 addresses the critical need for reliable, low-latency communication between the shop floor and supervisory systems. Whether integrating with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLCs, Siemens S7-series controllers, or third-party SCADA/HMI platforms, this card delivers deterministic I/O scanning and robust network management that smart factory architects depend on.

The SST-DN3-PCU-1 sits at the heart of a layered industrial data architecture. At the field level, DeviceNet-compatible sensors — such as photoelectric sensors, proximity switches, and pressure transmitters — transmit process signals across the DeviceNet trunk cable. These signals are aggregated by remote I/O modules, such as the Woodhead SST-DN3-104 or compatible DeviceNet I/O blocks, and forwarded to the SST-DN3-PCU-1 installed in the host industrial PC.

The card's onboard scanner firmware manages cyclic and explicit messaging, ensuring that real-time I/O data from variable frequency drives — for example, an ABB ACS880 or Siemens SINAMICS G120 equipped with a DeviceNet option board — is continuously polled and updated in the host data table. This data is then made available to the SCADA layer via OPC-DA or OPC-UA server software running on the same host, enabling operators to monitor motor speed, torque feedback, and fault codes from a centralized Wonderware InTouch or Ignition SCADA HMI dashboard.

For PLC-integrated architectures, the SST-DN3-PCU-1 can operate alongside Allen-Bradley 1756-DNB DeviceNet Bridge modules in a ControlLogix rack, extending the DeviceNet segment reach while maintaining a unified tag database. Edge gateway devices — such as the Moxa MGate MB3170 or a Hilscher netTAP NT 100 — can further bridge DeviceNet data to Ethernet/IP or Modbus TCP, enabling cloud-based analytics and MES integration without replacing existing field wiring.

Industrial Ethernet switches, such as the Hirschmann RS20 or Moxa EDS-308, provide the backbone connectivity between the host PC, PLC racks, and remote HMI panels, ensuring that the data collected by the SST-DN3-PCU-1 reaches every layer of the smart factory — from the machine controller to the enterprise ERP system — with minimal latency and maximum reliability.

Many automation sites face persistent challenges: legacy field devices speak DeviceNet while newer control platforms expect Ethernet/IP or PROFINET; data islands form when drives, sensors, and I/O modules cannot report to a unified SCADA system; and remote diagnostics are impossible without a reliable network interface at the host level.

The SST-DN3-PCU-1 directly resolves these issues. Its master scanner capability allows a single industrial PC to manage up to 64 DeviceNet nodes simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple standalone scanners and reducing panel complexity. The card's explicit messaging support enables on-demand parameter reads and writes to connected devices — ideal for remote configuration of drive parameters or reading diagnostic registers from smart sensors without interrupting cyclic I/O.

For production line transparency, the SST-DN3-PCU-1's integration with SCADA platforms enables real-time alarm tracking: when a DeviceNet node reports a fault — such as a drive overcurrent or a sensor communication timeout — the SCADA system immediately logs the event, triggers an alarm notification, and timestamps the fault for root-cause analysis. This closes the loop between field-level anomalies and supervisory response, reducing mean time to repair (MTTR) and improving overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

System expansion is equally straightforward. Adding new DeviceNet nodes — additional remote I/O drops, smart valve positioners, or barcode readers — requires only network address assignment and EDS file import into the SST configuration utility, with no hardware changes to the host PC. This scalability makes the SST-DN3-PCU-1 a long-term investment for growing automation architectures.

Every SST-DN3-PCU-1 unit shipped by NANKMOS undergoes pre-shipment functional testing to verify network initialization, node scanning, and data integrity before dispatch. Backed by a 12-Month Warranty, this card is available from in-stock inventory for rapid deployment to minimize production downtime.

Q1: What is the maximum communication speed supported by the SST-DN3-PCU-1?The SST-DN3-PCU-1 supports DeviceNet baud rates of 125 kbps, 250 kbps, and 500 kbps, with auto-detection capability. For most factory floor applications with cable runs under 100 meters, 500 kbps is recommended for lowest latency cyclic I/O scanning.

Q2: Is the SST-DN3-PCU-1 compatible with third-party SCADA and HMI systems?Yes. The card is compatible with any SCADA or HMI platform that supports OPC-DA/OPC-UA or direct DeviceNet API integration, including Ignition, Wonderware InTouch, FactoryTalk View, and WinCC. Woodhead provides a Windows driver and configuration utility for straightforward commissioning.

Q3: Can the SST-DN3-PCU-1 be used alongside Ethernet/IP or PROFINET networks?The SST-DN3-PCU-1 is a dedicated DeviceNet interface. For multi-protocol environments, it is typically paired with an edge gateway or protocol converter — such as a Hilscher netTAP or Moxa MGate — to bridge DeviceNet data to Ethernet/IP or PROFINET segments, enabling unified data visibility across mixed-protocol factory networks.

Q4: What warranty and pre-shipment testing does NANKMOS provide for the SST-DN3-PCU-1?All SST-DN3-PCU-1 units are covered by a 12-Month Warranty from the date of shipment. Each unit undergoes pre-shipment functional testing — including network initialization, node communication verification, and data table integrity checks — before dispatch from our in-stock inventory, ensuring reliable performance from day one.