Allen-Bradley 1747-PIC Personal Computer Interface Converter

The Allen-Bradley 1747-PIC Personal Computer Interface Converter is a legacy, plug‑in bridge that enables a standard RS-232 serial port on a PC to communicate with Allen-Bradley SLC 500 DH-485 networks, effectively converting PC-originated serial signals into the DH-485 protocol used by SLC 500 controllers and related PanelView terminals. It is designed for environments where vintage AB PLCs and operator interfaces still rely on RS-232 connections to the DH-485 network, providing a practical path for programming, diagnostics, and data exchange without requiring a PCI/ISA interface card or modern USB adapters. Key hardware characteristics include a PC-side RS-232 interface and the need for a 9-pin to 25-pin adapter to reach the AB interface, with the 1747-PIC functioning as a dedicated converter between PC software and DH-485 devices, as described in AB technical notes. Common use cases span SLC 500 controllers, PanelView terminals, and other DH-485 devices within AB's SLC-500 ecosystem, where serial-based programming tools or monitoring software expect a direct PC connection; this ensures compatibility with legacy AB development workflows while acknowledging that the 1747-PIC remains a legacy solution for interfacing older hardware with modern PCs.