Description

The CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E is a high-performance, industrial-grade Modbus gateway designed to bridge legacy serial devices with modern Ethernet-based control systems. Featuring 16 independent RS-485/RS-232 serial ports and a single 10/100 Mbps Ethernet interface, the CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E enables simultaneous communication between multiple Modbus RTU/ASCII field devices—such as power meters, PLCs, sensors, and drives—and SCADA, DCS, or HMI systems over standard TCP/IP networks. This device acts as a transparent protocol converter, allowing Modbus TCP clients to poll data from serial slaves as if they were native Ethernet devices, dramatically simplifying system integration and reducing wiring complexity.

Positioned as a scalable communication hub for energy management, building automation, water/wastewater, and industrial IoT applications, the CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E supports concurrent access from up to 16 Modbus TCP masters, making it ideal for environments where multiple monitoring systems (e.g., EMS, BMS, and cybersecurity platforms) need real-time data from the same field instruments. Each serial channel on the CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E is electrically isolated (3 kV) to prevent ground loops and protect against surges—critical in electrically harsh settings like substations or motor control centers. With its rugged metal housing, wide operating temperature range, and DIN-rail mounting, the CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E delivers enterprise-grade reliability in demanding industrial environments.

CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E

Technical Specifications

Main Features and Advantages

16 independent, isolated serial channels for maximum flexibility:
Unlike basic single-port gateways, the CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E provides 16 fully independent serial interfaces, each configurable as RS-485 or RS-232 with individual baud rates and parity settings. This allows integration of heterogeneous devices—such as ABB meters on one port, Siemens PLCs on another, and legacy HVAC controllers on a third—without cross-talk or configuration conflicts. The 3 kV isolation on every port safeguards the gateway and connected systems from ground potential differences and transient voltages common near VFDs or switchgear.

True multi-master support for modern monitoring architectures:
The CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E breaks the traditional “one master” limitation of Modbus RTU by enabling up to 16 Modbus TCP clients to simultaneously read data from the same serial slaves. This is invaluable in smart grid or smart factory deployments where energy management systems (EMS), cybersecurity monitoring tools, and operator HMIs all require real-time access to the same power meter or I/O module—eliminating the need for data duplication or polling contention.

Seamless protocol transparency with zero coding required:
The CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E operates as a transparent bridge: Modbus TCP requests from an HMI are automatically converted to Modbus RTU frames and routed to the correct serial port based on preconfigured mapping rules. No scripting, ladder logic, or custom drivers are needed. Configuration is performed via a built-in web interface or Windows utility, supporting import/export of settings for rapid deployment across multiple sites.

Robust industrial design for 24/7 operation:
Housed in a fanless, metal enclosure with wide-range DC power input (10–30 VDC), the CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E is built for continuous operation in extreme conditions—from unheated pump stations to hot electrical rooms. Its DIN-rail form factor allows easy installation alongside PLCs and relays, while status LEDs per port simplify on-site troubleshooting.

Comprehensive diagnostics and remote management:
Built-in web pages display real-time traffic logs, error counters, and connection status for each port. Firmware updates, configuration backups, and remote reboots can be performed over the network, minimizing site visits. The CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E also supports DHCP, static IP, and DNS client modes for flexible network integration.

CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E

Application Field

The CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E excels in applications requiring centralized aggregation of distributed serial devices into a unified IP-based monitoring infrastructure. In commercial and industrial energy management systems (EMS), the CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E connects dozens of Modbus-enabled power meters, submeters, and environmental sensors across a facility to a central SCADA platform, enabling real-time load profiling, demand response, and carbon tracking. Similarly, in smart buildings, it integrates HVAC controllers, lighting panels, and access control units—often from different vendors—into a single BMS for holistic optimization.

In municipal water and wastewater treatment plants, the CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E serves as the communication hub for remote pump stations, linking flow meters, level sensors, and motor starters (typically Modbus RTU) to the central control room via fiber or cellular Ethernet backhaul. Its multi-master capability allows both the plant SCADA and a cloud-based predictive maintenance service to access the same data stream without interference. In manufacturing, the CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E enables legacy CNC machines, barcode scanners, and weigh scales to feed production data into MES or IIoT platforms, accelerating digital transformation without replacing existing equipment. Across all these scenarios, the CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-16E delivers the scalability, resilience, and interoperability needed for future-ready industrial connectivity.

Related Products

• CONTEMPORARY MODHUB-8E: 8-port version of theMODHUB-16E, suitable for smaller-scale applications

• CONTEMPORARY BASR-485: Standalone RS-485 repeater often used to extendMODHUB-16E serial segments beyond 1200 meters

• CONTEMPORARY EIS-485: Industrial Ethernet switch with integrated serial server, complementary for hybrid networks

• CONTEMPORARY BASM-485: Modbus RTU splitter that enables multi-drop sharing—useful whenMODHUB-16E ports are limited

• CONTEMPORARY MOD-IO: Remote I/O module with Modbus TCP interface, often deployed alongsideMODHUB-16E for analog/digital expansion

• CONTEMPORARY BASP-232: RS-232 to RS-485 converter for adapting legacy devices toMODHUB-16E’s preferred RS-485 bus