What kind of cable do I need for the plotter?
What kind of cable do I need for the plotter?
Models: 522xx/524xx, 67436, and 68000
All of the above CalComp plotters fully support the RS-232C standard for
serial communications and the CENTRONICS standard for parallel data
transfer.
A. CENTRONICS PARALLEL CABLE
1. FOR IBM PC S & COMPATIBLES, MACINTOSH, SUN, HP, AND ALL UNIX
WORKSTATIONS WHICH SUPPORT THE CENTRONICS STANDARD:
a. The maximum length for a standard Centronics parallel
cable is 12'. This limit is the current industry-wide
standard. CalComp cannot guarantee that the integrity of
the plot data being transferred will be reliable beyond
12'. In addition, a heavy duty parallel cable is always
recommended. The 12' limit CAN be exceeded if you
purchase a specially designed cable (see Notes #1b and
#C below).
b. CalComp manufactures high quality, double-shielded
Centronics parallel cables INCLUDING a 25' cable. To
order a parallel cable from CalComp, call (1-800) 225-
2667 and use the following order part numbers:
For a 12 foot Centronics cable: 18735-0129
For a 25 foot Centronics cable: 717960-9
B. RS-232 PORT SERIAL CABLES (for plot data ports and the terminal
port):
Note: The maximum length for a standard serial cable is 50'.
CalComp cannot guarantee that the integrity of the plot
data being transferred will be reliable beyond 50'. This
limit is the current industry-wide standard. A heavy
duty double-shielded type cable is recommended. The 50'
limit CAN be exceeded if you purchase a specially
designed cable (see Note #C below). This limit applies
to ALL platforms listed below.
1. FOR IBM PC S/COMPATIBLES WITH A 25-PIN (DB25) RS-232 SERIAL
PORT:
The 522xx/524xxs, 67436, and 68000 model plotters require a
straight-through cable, female-to-male, also known as a MODEM
cable. This cable must be wired to use at least pins 2 through
8 and 20. CalComp offers the following cables to be used with
our plotters:
a. 25 foot straight MODEM cable (25pin-to-25pin, female-to-
male): CalComp order #11772-0250 (heavy duty double-
shielded 25' cable)
b. 10 foot straight MODEM cable (25pin-to-25pin, female-to-
male): CalComp order #11772-0102 (heavy duty double-
shielded 10' cable). Please call 1-800-225-2667 to order
either of these cables.
c. If you wish to build your own cable, here is the wiring
diagram for a 25-to-25 pin, female-to male 'straight'
serial cable (any pin connections not shown are not
required):
PC Port: Plotter Port:
25 pin female 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
=================================================
1 ---------------------------------- 1
2 ---------------------------------- 2
3 ---------------------------------- 3
4 ---------------------------------- 4
5 ---------------------------------- 5
6 ---------------------------------- 6
7 ---------------------------------- 7
8 ---------------------------------- 8
20 ---------------------------------- 20
2. FOR IBM PC S & COMPATIBLES WITH A 9-PIN (DB9) RS-232 SERIAL
PORT:
a. The DB9 to 25-pin required (for the IBM standard 9-pin
port, female-to-male cable) is not available from
CalComp. This type of cable is widely available from
most computer retailers. Here is the Radio Shack P/N for
a 6 foot cable (DB9 to DB25, female-to-male):
Radio Shack Catalog # 26-269
If you wish to lengthen this cable, attach a 25pin-to-
25pin (female-to-male), straight-through cable, such as
CalComp's P/N 11772-0250 (25' cable) or 11772-0102 (10'
cable).
b. If you wish to build your own cable, here is the wiring
diagram for the IBM standard 9-to-25 pin, female-to male
serial cable (pin connections not shown are not
required):
PC Port: Plotter Port:
9 pin female 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
=================================================
1 --------------------------------- 8
2 --------------------------------- 3
3 --------------------------------- 2
5 --------------------------------- 7
6 --------------------------------- 6
7 --------------------------------- 4
8 --------------------------------- 5
3. FOR THE MACINTOSH:
Note: CalComp provides specially designed cables to be
used with the Mac. These cables connect directly to
the Mac's MODEM (Mini DIN-8) port and one of the
plotter's serial ports.
a. 12' heavy duty Mac serial cable; CalComp order P/N
16623-0029
b. 6' heavy duty Mac serial cable; CalComp order P/N
16623-0011
Note: The 50' cable limit also applies to the Mac.
To extend the length of either of the above
listed cables, add one of CalComp's straight-
through cables (P/N 11772-0250 for a 25'
cable and 11772-0102 for a 10' cable. See
Note #A-1-c for the appropriate wiring
diagram for these cables).
c. If you wish to build your own Mac cable; here is the
wiring diagram for the Mac serial cables offered by
CalComp (p/n's 16623-0029 and 16623-0011)
Note: Pin connections not shown are not required
MAC Port: Plotter Port:
8 pin male 25 pin male
cable connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
==============================================
1 ------------------------------- 20
2 ------------------------------- 5 & 8
3 ------------------------------- 2
4 ------------------------------- 1 & 7
5 ------------------------------- 3
8 ------------------------------- 1 & 7
4. UNIX WORKSTATIONS:
a. SUN SPARC/IPC WORKSTATIONS:
Connect a straight-through (female-to-male) MODEM cable
AND a 25-to-25pin, male-to male adapter, to a standard
SUN Mini DIN-8 to 25 pin (male-to-female) serial cable.
The standard SUN Min-DIN-8 serial cable may be purchased
directly from SUN MICROSYSTEMS. Another source which can
be recommended as a supplier of SUN cable and
connectivity products is NewData Inc. Call NewData at
(908) 842-5757 and request information on their cable
P/N 6642 (or equivalent).
SUN SERIAL CONNECTION SUMMARY:
i. Use a standard SUN Mini DIN-8 male-to-female serial
cable (the female end is a 25-pin connector).
ii. Use a standard 25-pin, male-to-male adapter.
Connect this adapter directly to the female end of
the SUN cable. A 25-pin male-to-male adapter is
available from CalComp. The P/N is 14450-0253.
iii. Use a standard straight-through MODEM cable with at
least wires 2-through-8 and 20 being connected.
This cable is available from CalComp. The CalComp
order P/N is 11772-0250 for a 25' cable and 11772-
0102 for a 10' cable.
iv. To order the CalComp cable and adapter, call 1-800-
225-2667.
b. HP 9000 WORKSTATIONS
NOTE: CalComp does not provide a serial cable for HP
workstations.
The following is a known working pin-out for CalComp
plotters and the HP 9000. This cable pin-out is a
reference only. For further information, please consult
with your HP Workstation documentation and technical
support services.
HP Plotter Port:
9000 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
================================================
1 ---------------------------------- 8
2 ---------------------------------- 3
3 ---------------------------------- 2
4 ---------------------------------- 20
5 ---------------------------------- 7
6 ---------------------------------- 6
7 ---------------------------------- 4
8 ---------------------------------- 5
9 ---------------------------------- 22
c. SILICON GRAPHICS WORKSTATIONS:
NOTE: CalComp does not provide a serial cable for
Silicon workstations.
The following is a known working pin-out for CalComp
plotters and Silicon Graphics Workstations. This cable
pin-out is a reference only. For further information,
please consult with your Silicon Graphics Workstation
documentation and technical support services.
Silicon Plotter Port:
Graphics 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
===============================================
2 --------------------------------- 2
3 --------------------------------- 3
4 --------------------------------- 4
5 --------------------------------- 5
7 --------------------------------- 7
8 --------------------------------- 8
9 --------------------------------- 20
d. IBM RS-6000 (RISC) WORKSTATION:
Use CalComp cable P/N 754050-3 for the IBM RS-6000.
Order from CalComp by calling, 1-800-225-2667.
The following is a known working pin-out for CalComp
plotters and IBM RS-6000 workstations. The cable is a
female-to-male DB25 (both ends) NULL MODEM type cable.
This cable pin-out is a reference only. For further
information, please consult your IBM RS-6000
documentation and technical support services.
IBM Plotter Port:
RS-6000 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
=================================================
1 ---------------------------------- 1
2 ---------------------------------- 3
3 ---------------------------------- 2
4 ---------------------------------- 6 & 8
5 ---------------------------------- 20
6 ---------------------------------- 4
7 ---------------------------------- 7
8 ---------------------------------- 4
20 ---------------------------------- 5
e. DEC VAX 4000 WORKSTATIONS:
NOTE: CalComp does not provide a serial cable for the
DEC VAX.
The following is a known working pin-out for CalComp
plotters and the DEC VAX. This cable pin-out is a
reference only. For further information, please consult
with your DEC VAX documentation and technical support
services.
DEC Plotter Port:
VAX 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
==================================================
1 ------------------------------------- 8
2 ------------------------------------- 3
3 ------------------------------------- 2
5 ------------------------------------- 7
6 ------------------------------------- 6
7 ------------------------------------- 4
8 ------------------------------------- 5
f. DATA GENERAL WORKSTATIONS:
NOTE: CalComp does not provide a serial cable for Data
General.
The following is a known working pin-out for CalComp
plotters and some Data General computers. This cable
pin-out is a reference only. For further information,
please consult with your Data General documentation and
technical support services.
Data Plotter Port:
General 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
==================================================
1 ---------------------------------- 1
2 ---------------------------------- 3
3 ---------------------------------- 2
4 ---------------------------------- 20
5 ---------------------------------- 8
6 ---------------------------------- 6
7 ---------------------------------- 7
8 ---------------------------------- 4
C. CUSTOM CABLE INFORMATION:
Specially designed cables are available which enable you to
reliably exceed the industry-standard limits in cable length for
both Centronics parallel and RS-232 serial cables.
These limits are: 12 feet for Centronics parallel
50 feet for RS-232 serial
Special serial and parallel cables with lengths up to 300 feet (or
more) are available from the following vendors:
1. Buffalo Products Inc. (800) 345-2356
2. The Black Box Corp. (412) 746-0746
3. INMAC Corp. (800) 547-5444
4. NewData Inc. (908) 842-5757