Revision 6    HC900 Process & Safety Controller User and Installation Manual  19 
21 April 2017 
Table 1 – Descriptions of Major Components (Figure 4) 
Includes: Rack, Power Supply, Controller Module, and 
I/O modules 
I/O Expansion 
Rack 
(C50/C70 CPU 
only) 
(Optional) Includes: Rack, Power Supply, Scanner 
Module, and I/O modules  
900 Control Station operator interface communicates 
via Ethernet or galvanically isolated RS-485 serial link 
PC 
Configuration 
Tool (Serial 
connection 
option) 
  For legacy system- The PC configuration tool 
connects from the RS-232 serial port of the 
Controller Module to a serial port on the PC 
  For new system – The PC Configuration tool 
connects from the galvanically isolated RS-485 port 
of the Controller Module using an external 
Honeywell qualified RS-485 to USB converter. 
PC is from third-party 
supplier. Configuration 
software is from 
Honeywell. RS-485 to 
USB converter is a third 
party device available 
from Honeywell. 
HMI (Human-
Machine 
Interface) 
(Optional) PC link to Ethernet network, which may 
include other HMIs, other HC900 Controllers, and 
other networks (including Internet).   
Typically includes HMI operating software.  
May also include Designer Software (configuration tool 
and utility software). 
PC is from third-party 
supplier.  HMI software is 
available from Honeywell 
(Experion HS or 
SpecView32) or from 
third-party supplier. 
Qualified un-
managed 
Ethernet 
100Base-T 
Switch  
Enables connection of the private Ethernet 100Base-T 
port on a Controller Module to the Scanner modules 
on 2, 3, or 11 I/O Expansion racks. (C50/C70 CPU 
only) (If a single I/O expansion rack is connected 
directly to a Controller Module, the Switch is not 
required.)  
Qualified third party 
devices available from 
Honeywell 
Ethernet 
10/100Base-T  
Switch or 
Router/Firewall 
Enables inter-connection of several 10/100Base-T 
Ethernet devices in an Ethernet network.  Devices 
include other HC900 Controllers, HMIs, and can also 
include routers, servers, and other devices in wider 
networks.  
Ethernet CAT5 shielded cable 
Connects I/O expansion racks 
(C50/C70 CPU only) to controllers 
and/or to 10/100baseT Ethernet 
switches. 10’or 20’ (3.04 or 6.08m) 
Third-party suppliers or 
Honeywell 
Connects I/O expansion racks 
(C50/C70 CPU only) to controllers 
with fiber switch. 
Ethernet CAT5 
shielded cable 
Connects devices in Ethernet Open Connectivity 
network to 900 Control Stations and PC SCADA 
applications. 
Third-party suppliers or 
Honeywell