Product Overview

The Allen-Bradley 1784-PKTS​ (commonly referred to as the “KT Card” or “PKTx series PCI interface”) is a personal computer communication interface card developed by Rockwell Automation for connecting a Windows-based PC or engineering workstation directly to Allen-Bradley legacy industrial networks—specifically Data Highway Plus (DH+ / DH+ / ANSI X3.28), DH-485, and Allen-Bradley Remote I/O (RIO) networks. The Allen-Bradley 1784-PKTS​ plugs into a standard PCI bus slot inside a desktop PC or industrial computer and appears to the operating system as a dedicated communication node, allowing RSLogix 500 / RSLogix 5 / RSNetWorx software to upload/download programs, monitor live tag/data-table values, force I/O, and perform online troubleshooting on PLC-5, SLC 500 (5/03, 5/04), and MicroLogix 1000/1200/1500 controllers equipped with DH+ or DH-485 ports.The Allen-Bradley 1784-PKTS​ operates as a fully active node on the DH+ network, meaning it must be assigned a unique node address (typically Node 77 or 78 for engineering stations) that does not conflict with any PLC or panel-view terminal on the same physical trunk. It supports baud rates of 57.6 kbps (DH-485), 19.2 kbps, 57.6 kbps, 115.2 kbps, and 230.4 kbps (DH+), and is auto-sensing in most configurations when used with RSLinx Classic. Unlike serial (DF1) cables which are point-to-point, the Allen-Bradley 1784-PKTS​ gives multi-drop access to every DH+ node on the connected physical cable segment, making it the preferred interface for plants maintaining legacy PLC-5 or SLC 500 systems alongside modern ControlLogix or CompactLogix platforms that lack native DH+ ports.Typically specified as a spare or retrofit part for existing engineering laptops/desktops that require DH+ connectivity after the discontinuation of built-in ISA KT cards, the Allen-Bradley 1784-PKTS​ (in its evolved form as 1784-PKTX or 1784-PKTXD PCI/PCIe editions) remains a critical enabler for legacy system support, commissioning, and migration projects. Its ability to bridge a modern Windows OS to decades-old control networks preserves access to valuable plant-floor assets without requiring expensive protocol gateways.

Technical Specifications

Product Model | 1784-PKTS (1784-PKTX / PKTXD family – PCI bus interface)Manufacturer | Rockwell Automation / Allen-BradleyProduct Type | PC Communication Interface Card — DH+ / DH-485 / Remote I/O (PCI Bus)Bus Interface | 32-bit PCI (5 V signaling; compatible with PCI 2.1/2.2 slots; PKTXD = PCIe variant)Supported Networks | Allen-Bradley Data Highway Plus (DH+), DH-485, Remote I/O (Scanner mode optional per driver rev.)DH+ Baud Rates | 57.6 kbps, 115.2 kbps, 230.4 kbps (auto-negotiated / software selectable)DH-485 Baud Rate | 19.2 kbps, 57.6 kbps, 115.2 kbpsNode Address Range (DH+) | 0–77 (user-configurable via RSLinx; typical engineering station = 77)Connectors | 1 × RJ45 (DH+ / DH-485 / RIO — pinout per Allen-Bradley DH+ standard)Cable Type | Belden 9463 (Shielded twisted-pair, 120 Ω termination recommended at ends)Driver Software | RSLinx Classic (v2.10+), RSLogix 5 / RSLogix 500, RSNetWorx for DH+Operating Systems Supported | Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, XP (32-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit with PKTX driver; PKTXD adds Win7/10 64-bit)Power Drawn From | PCI bus (typical < 5 W)Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +55 °C (32 °F to 131 °F)Storage Temperature | -40 °C to +70 °CHumidity | 5 %–95 % non-condensingDimensions (Card Only) | Standard half-length PCI board, approx. 175 × 107 mm (6.9 × 4.2 in.)Certifications | FCC Part 15 Class A, CE, cULusReplacement / Successor | 1784-PKTX (PCI), 1784-PKTXD (PCI Express), 1784-U2DHP (USB-to-DH+ for newer laptops)

Main Features and Advantages

True DH+ Network Node — Not a Serial Tunnel:The Allen-Bradley 1784-PKTS​ (and its PKTX/PKTXD successors) functions as a legitimate DH+ node rather than emulating DF1-over-serial. This means your PC can see and communicate with every DH+ device on the multi-drop—PLC-5 processors, SLC 5/04 CPUs, PanelView terminals—without cycling power or changing wiring. This is a decisive advantage over USB-to-serial or serial-to-DH+ converter cables that offer only point-to-point DF1 links.Multi-Protocol Support in One Card:A single Allen-Bradley 1784-PKTS​ interface can be configured in RSLinx to communicate on DH+ or DH-485 networks, eliminating the need for separate interface hardware when supporting mixed legacy fleets of PLC-5 (DH+) and MicroLogix / SLC 5/02–5/03 (DH-485). The RJ45 port follows the standard Allen-Bradley DH+ pinout (Pin 3 = Signal A, Pin 4 = Shield Drain, Pin 5 = Signal B, Pin 6 = Shield Drain), simplifying cable termination with standard Belden 9463.