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ECH(PCI)SF-H13A

Star Fabric PCI expansion 13 slot half size case
1885,00 EUR

including VAT 2,243.15 EUR

  • Manufacturer Contec
  • Category: Bus Extensions
  • The ECH(PCI)SF-H13A is a StarFabric-compliant PCI bus expansion chassis designed to add up to 13 short-size PCI slots to a host PC. It supports high-speed serial transfer (2.5 Gbps) over Category 5e cabling and includes a built-in 230/115 VAC 130 W power supply. The chassis is constructed from durable steel, finished in light grey, and optimized for industrial measurement and control applications requiring remote PCI expansion up to 12 m from the host system.
- StarFabric-Compliant High-Speed Expansion:
Enables PCI bus extension via StarFabric serial interconnect technology, supporting 2.5 Gbps data transfer over standard Category 5e STP cables up to 12 m in length. Ideal for distributed measurement and control systems where the expansion chassis must be located away from the host PC.

- 13 PCI Slots (Short-Size):
Provides 13 user-available PCI slots compliant with PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.3 (+5 V type). Each slot supports 32‑bit, 33 MHz PCI boards.

- Integrated Power Supply:
Built-in 130 W (nominal) power supply with selectable 115/230 VAC input. Provides regulated DC outputs of +5 V, +3.3 V, +12 V, and −12 V with high current capacity for multiple boards.

- Automatic Power Interlocking:
The chassis power can be synchronized with the host PC’s power state, allowing automatic on/off control through the expansion adapter.

- Industrial-Grade Construction:
Heavy-duty steel enclosure with integrated cooling fan and optional rack-mount brackets. Designed for continuous operation in industrial environments (0–50 °C, 20–80 % RH).

- Flexible Connectivity:
Compatible with CONTEC expansion adapters:
- EAD(LPCI)SF (Low Profile PCI slot)
- EAD-SF-LPE (PCI Express slot)
- EAD(CB)SF (CardBus slot, limited compatibility)
These adapters provide the host interface and include dual 12 m Category 5e STP cables.

- Remote Operation Capability:
Supports up to 12 m separation between host and chassis, maintaining full PCI bus functionality through StarFabric serial bridging.

- Safety and Reliability:
Includes overcurrent protection, cooling fan, and power interlock jumper (JP1) for manual override. Designed for long service life with replaceable fan and filter components.

Country of origin: Japan

Customs tariff number: 8473 3080 000

1. Product Overview

Product Name: StarFabric PCI Expansion Chassis, 13-Slot Half-Size
Model Number: ECH(PCI)SF-H13A
Series: StarFabric-Compliant PCI Bus Expansion System
Article Number: ECH(PCI)SF-H13A
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan)
Product Category: Industrial PCI Bus Expansion Chassis
Product Description: The ECH(PCI)SF-H13A is a StarFabric-compliant PCI bus expansion chassis designed to add up to 13 short-size PCI slots to a host PC. It supports high-speed serial transfer (2.5 Gbps) over Category 5e cabling and includes a built-in 230/115 VAC 130 W power supply. The chassis is constructed from durable steel, finished in light grey, and optimized for industrial measurement and control applications requiring remote PCI expansion up to 12 m from the host system.




2. Key Features

- StarFabric-Compliant High-Speed Expansion:
Enables PCI bus extension via StarFabric serial interconnect technology, supporting 2.5 Gbps data transfer over standard Category 5e STP cables up to 12 m in length. Ideal for distributed measurement and control systems where the expansion chassis must be located away from the host PC.

- 13 PCI Slots (Short-Size):
Provides 13 user-available PCI slots compliant with PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.3 (+5 V type). Each slot supports 32‑bit, 33 MHz PCI boards.

- Integrated Power Supply:
Built-in 130 W (nominal) power supply with selectable 115/230 VAC input. Provides regulated DC outputs of +5 V, +3.3 V, +12 V, and −12 V with high current capacity for multiple boards.

- Automatic Power Interlocking:
The chassis power can be synchronized with the host PC’s power state, allowing automatic on/off control through the expansion adapter.

- Industrial-Grade Construction:
Heavy-duty steel enclosure with integrated cooling fan and optional rack-mount brackets. Designed for continuous operation in industrial environments (0–50 °C, 20–80 % RH).

- Flexible Connectivity:
Compatible with CONTEC expansion adapters:
- EAD(LPCI)SF (Low Profile PCI slot)
- EAD-SF-LPE (PCI Express slot)
- EAD(CB)SF (CardBus slot, limited compatibility)
These adapters provide the host interface and include dual 12 m Category 5e STP cables.

- Remote Operation Capability:
Supports up to 12 m separation between host and chassis, maintaining full PCI bus functionality through StarFabric serial bridging.

- Safety and Reliability:
Includes overcurrent protection, cooling fan, and power interlock jumper (JP1) for manual override. Designed for long service life with replaceable fan and filter components.




3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Bus Standard | PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.3 (+5 V type) |
| Bus Width / Clock | 32‑bit, 33 MHz |
| Address Space | 32‑bit memory and I/O addressing |
| Interrupt Levels | INTA–INTD |
| Number of Slots | 13 × short-size PCI slots |
| Acceptable Board Size | 176.5 (L) × 107 (H) mm |
| Power Supply (Built‑in) | 115/230 VAC ± 10 %, 50–60 Hz (switch selectable) |
| DC Output Capacity | +5 V 18 A (max), +3.3 V 15 A (max), +12 V 9 A (max), −12 V 0.8 A (max) |
| Total Power Capacity | 230 W (0–30 °C), 205 W (30–40 °C), 175 W (40–50 °C) |
| Power Interlock | JP1 jumper selectable (enabled/disabled) |
| Cooling | Forced air cooling with internal fan |
| Operating Temperature | 0 – 50 °C |
| Operating Humidity | 20 – 80 % RH (non‑condensing) |
| Storage Temperature | 0 – 60 °C |
| Storage Humidity | 10 – 90 % RH (non‑condensing) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 424.0 × 156.0 × 255.0 mm (no fittings) |
| Weight | Approx. 7.5 kg |
| Color / Material | Light grey steel chassis |
| AC Power Cable | 2.5 m, 3‑pin grounded |
| Compliance | CE‑marked, RoHS‑compliant |
| Cooling Clearance | ≥ 20 mm from walls or obstructions |
| Expected Service Life | Power supply ≈ 5 years; fan ≈ 5 years; filter ≈ 1 year (at 25 °C, 60 % RH) |




4. Functionality

The ECH(PCI)SF‑H13A functions as a remote PCI bus extension unit. It connects to a host PC through a StarFabric‑compliant expansion adapter (EAD‑series) using two Category 5e STP cables. The adapter converts the host’s PCI or PCI Express bus signals into high‑speed serial data streams, which are transmitted to the chassis. Inside the chassis, a StarFabric switch fabric device reconstructs the PCI bus, providing 13 fully functional PCI slots.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial measurement and control systems requiring multiple PCI I/O boards.
- Data acquisition, motion control, and automation systems where the PC must be isolated from the field environment.
- Laboratory instrumentation setups needing additional PCI slots beyond the host’s capacity.
- Remote expansion for embedded or panel PCs with limited internal expansion space.

Compatibility:
- Compatible with standard 32‑bit, 33 MHz PCI boards (5 V signaling).
- Works with CONTEC’s EAD(LPCI)SF and EAD‑SF‑LPE adapters for desktop or embedded PCs.
- Not compatible with video boards, additional PCI‑to‑PCI bridge boards, or any board explicitly marked “Cannot be used with PCI‑to‑PCI Bridge.”

Limitations:
- Cannot cascade multiple expansion chassis in series.
- Total current draw of installed boards must not exceed the rated DC output.
- Some high‑speed bus‑mastering boards may experience reduced throughput due to bridge latency.




5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- ECH(PCI)SF‑H13A expansion chassis (1 unit)
- AC power cable (1 × 2.5 m, 3‑pin)
- Rack‑mount brackets (2 pcs)
- Bracket fixing screws (4 pcs)
- Slot covers (13 pcs)
- Board fixing screws (13 pcs)
- Rubber feet (4 pcs)
- User’s manual (1 copy)

Optional Accessories:
- Expansion Adapters (sold separately):
- EAD(LPCI)SF – for Low Profile PCI slot
- EAD‑SF‑LPE – for PCI Express slot
- EAD(CB)SF – for CardBus slot (not compatible with H13A/F13A)
- Connection Cables:
- Category 5e STP 12 m (included with adapter)
- Optional UTP Cat 5e straight cables: 3 m (TP‑03), 5 m (TP‑05), 10 m (TP‑10)
- Maintenance Parts:
- Power supply module (POW300 series)
- Cooling fan (FAN1238 or FAN1225S)
- Fan filter (FLT120 series)




6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- Host PC with compatible expansion adapter installed.
- Available PCI, PCI Express, or CardBus slot depending on adapter type.
- Proper grounding and ventilation (≥ 20 mm clearance).

Mounting Options:
- Desktop placement with rubber feet.
- 19‑inch rack mounting using supplied brackets (horizontal or vertical orientation).

Setup Procedure:
1. Preparation:
Power off the PC and chassis. Verify all components are present.
2. Install PCI Boards:
Remove the top cover, insert PCI boards into available slots, and secure with screws.
3. Connect Cables:
Attach the two RJ‑45 connectors from the expansion adapter to the chassis (TX ↔ RX). Ensure connectors click into place.
4. Power Connection:
Plug the AC cable into the chassis and wall outlet. Select input voltage (115 V / 230 V) using the rear switch.
5. Adapter Installation:
Install the EAD(LPCI)SF or EAD‑SF‑LPE adapter into the host PC.
6. System Power‑On:
Power on the PC; the chassis powers up automatically via interlock. Verify POWER LED and LINK LEDs are lit.
7. Driver Setup:
Under Windows XP/2000, install the required device driver and INF file for the StarFabric bridge. The chassis appears as multiple “PCI standard PCI‑to‑PCI bridge” entries in Device Manager.
8. Verification:
Confirm all installed PCI boards are recognized by the OS.

Safety Notes:
- Never insert or remove boards or cables while powered.
- Avoid using unshielded cables in high‑noise environments.
- Maintain airflow; do not block ventilation slits.




7. Performance & Capabilities

- Bus Performance:
32‑bit, 33 MHz PCI bus operation with StarFabric serial link (2.5 Gbps).
Provides near‑native PCI performance for most I/O and control applications.

- Power Efficiency:
High‑efficiency internal PSU with thermal derating:
- 230 W @ ≤ 30 °C
- 205 W @ ≤ 40 °C
- 175 W @ ≤ 50 °C

- Cooling System:
Forced‑air cooling with front‑to‑rear airflow. Replaceable fan and filter ensure stable thermal performance.

- Reliability:
Designed for continuous 24/7 operation in industrial environments.
Mean time between failures (MTBF) > 50,000 hours under nominal conditions.

- Limitations:
- Not suitable for graphics or video capture boards.
- PCI‑to‑PCI bridge latency may slightly reduce DMA throughput.
- Cannot daisy‑chain multiple chassis.




8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Standards:
PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.3 (+5 V signaling)
StarFabric Serial Interconnect Specification (2.5 Gbps)

- Electrical Safety & EMC:
CE‑marked for conformity with EU Low Voltage and EMC Directives.

- Environmental Compliance:
RoHS‑compliant (lead‑free construction).

- Operating System Support:
Windows XP, Windows 2000 (requires dedicated driver).
Hardware recognized as PCI‑to‑PCI bridge devices; OS‑independent operation possible.

- Regulatory Notes:
AC input range 90–132 VAC / 180–250 VAC.
Meets industrial safety and emission standards for measurement and control equipment.




9. Additional Information

Warranty:
Limited three‑year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
Excludes normal wear items (fan, filter, PSU) and damage from misuse or modification.

Support & Service:
- Technical documentation, drivers, and updates available at:
[https://www.contec.com](https://www.contec.com)
- RMA service requires prior authorization and proof of purchase.
- Replacement parts and maintenance kits available through CONTEC distributors.

Maintenance:
- Periodically inspect ventilation slits and clean filters.
- Replace fan and filter approximately every 5 years / 1 year respectively.
- Ensure total board current draw remains within PSU limits.

Updates & Compatibility:
- Firmware and driver updates provided via CONTEC’s support portal.
- Compatible with other CONTEC StarFabric chassis models (H4A, H7A, F7A, F13A) for scalable system design.

Safety & Handling Summary:
- Operate only in non‑corrosive, dust‑free environments.
- Maintain proper grounding and avoid conductive debris.
- Do not modify internal circuitry; service only by qualified personnel.




### Summary

The CONTEC ECH(PCI)SF‑H13A is a robust, high‑capacity StarFabric PCI expansion chassis engineered for industrial and laboratory environments requiring remote PCI bus extension. With 13 short‑size PCI slots, integrated 130 W power supply, and StarFabric serial connectivity up to 12 m, it provides a reliable, high‑performance solution for expanding system I/O capacity without compromising signal integrity. Its steel construction, automatic power synchronization, and compliance with PCI Rev. 2.3 and CE/RoHS standards make it a dependable choice for measurement, control, and automation applications demanding both flexibility and durability.