How to Install the Optional Comm Cards in the GS4 Variable Frequency Drive from AutomationDirect

To communicate with a GS4 Drive via EtherNet/IP or Modbus/TCP you will need to install the optional Card. There is one for Ethernet IP and one for Modbus TCP. The both look like this so make sure you order the correct one. Make sure there is no power to the drive and remove the keypad and the covers. I’m using an A frame size drive, so your setup might look a little different but you will see something that looks like this under the cover. The Comm Card goes in this slot to the right of the 3-in-1 firmware update card. These relay contacts can have 250 volts on them so an insulator is provided with the comm cards for your protection. Fully seat the comm card until these clips snap into place and secure it with the supplied screws. Insert your RJ45 cord into the connector. Replace the covers and keypad and apply power to the drive. Let’s verify that we installed the card installation. Go to parameter 9.44 – if you installed the card correctly the GS4 Drive will recognize it and show it to you here. I installed the Ethernet/IP card and sure enough the drive sees that card. If I had installed the Modbus TCP card, it would say that here. Parameter 9.45 is the card’s firmware version. Please, make sure you are using the most recent firmware version. Firmware updates are always free at the AutomationDirect website and are located under downloads, firmware. Your firmware version is the first thing support is going to ask you when you call, so make sure you test your drive with the most recent version before you call tech support. I’m doing this video pre-release, and this is an EtherNet/IP card, so don’t be surprised if your version number is different than this pre-release version I’m using here. While you are at it, the Drive firmware version is located here. Be sure to check that too! There are separate videos that show you step by step how to update the firmware for all of the different drive components. Again, please make sure all of these are kept up to date. Great. The com card is installed, we verified the drive sees it and all of the firmware versions are up to date. Check out these videos to see how to configure the communications, these videos to verify the communications and these videos for live demos that show you how to verify things are working the way you expect. Click here to learn more about the GS4 Drive. Click here to learn about AutomationDirect’s Free support options. Click here to subscribe to the AutomationDirect YouTube channel so you will be notified when new videos are published.