HARTCOM HART® Modem: USB Interface for HART® Field Devices
The HARTCOM HART® modem is a HART®-to-USB interface that connects HART®-capable field devices (slaves) to a compatible PC through a USB port. It provides galvanic isolation between the transmitter and the process controller system and is powered from the USB interface or a USB power bank. Two versions are available: HARTCOM-0 and HARTCOM-1.
HARTCOM-0 vs. HARTCOM-1: Which Version Do You Need?
HARTCOM-0 (order code HARTCOM-0) is the standard HART®/USB modem. HARTCOM-1 (order code HARTCOM-1) adds a 24 V current loop power supply for the transmitter and a switchable 250 Ω HART® terminal resistor, so the transmitter supply and the resistor do not have to be provided externally.
- HARTCOM-0: External 24 VDC transmitter supply and 250 Ω resistor
- HARTCOM-1: Loop powered 24 VDC and integrated 250 Ω resistor
Compatibility with HART® Transmitters
Both versions, HARTCOM-0 and HARTCOM-1, meet the HART® communication standards and are applicable for all HART®-capable transmitters that use standard HART® communication. KOBOLD instruments offered for use with the modem include the NGM, NMB, NUS-4, NUS-7, NRE-4, NRE-7, and NTB.
Connecting the HARTCOM Modem to the Field Device and the PC
On the field side, two KLEPS 2 measuring clamps attach the modem to the HART® device, with the clips positioned to match polarity. On the PC side, a 5.9 ft (1.8 m) USB "A-B" cable runs from the modem's USB 1.1 "B" connector to a USB 1.1 or 2.0 port.
Once the cable and clips are connected, the modem turns on in its basic state. The HARTCOM-x has no surge protection. Adequate lightning protection that does not affect standard HART® signal transmission is advised.
USB Driver Requirements
Communication through the PC's USB 1.1 or 2.0 port requires the FT 232 RL driver program. Select and download the driver that matches your PC operating system and processor architecture. The download link is in the downloads section under the Resources and Videos tab on this page.
LED Status Indicators on the HARTCOM Modem
The modem gives real-time status information for both the USB and HART® interfaces through three LED groups. The USB LED is not lit when inactive, yellow in standby (Stby/ON), and green when active. The TX/RX LED is red when the PC sends, green when the PC receives, and not lit with no data transfer.
The HART® LED is green when active and not lit when inactive; its TX/RX indicator shows red during transmission to the HART® device and green during reception.
Select Button Functions on HARTCOM-1
On HARTCOM-1, a short press (under 1 s) of the Select button steps through three settings: the first press turns the 250 Ω HART® resistor on with the 24 V supply off, the second turns both on, and the third turns both off (the basic state).
A long press (over 5 s) switches the modem off, with every LED dark; a second long press switches it back on.
HARTCOM Technical Specifications
The HARTCOM modem is rated for an operating temperature of -13 °F to +131 °F (-25 °C to +55 °C). Storage conditions are an ambient temperature of -13 °F to +131 °F (-25 °C to +55 °C) at up to 98% relative humidity. The enclosure is polystyrene, with IP 20 ingress protection and Class III electrical protection.
- Connection to PC: USB 1.1 "B" connector; USB "A-B" cable, 5.9 ft (1.8 m)
- Connection to HART® field device: KLEPS 2 measuring clamps
- Spiral cable length: 2.0 ft (3.6 ft) / 0.6 m (1.1 m)
- Power supply: 24 VDC external (HARTCOM-0) or loop powered (HARTCOM-1); modem powered by USB
- Ingress protection: IP 20
- Electrical protection: Class III
- Enclosure: polystyrene
- Weight: 0.22 lb (0.1 kg)
Maintenance and Compliance
The HARTCOM modem requires no regular maintenance. Devices returned for repair must be cleaned and decontaminated and accompanied by a signed declaration. The EU Declaration of Conformance lists the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, RoHS 2011/65/EU, and RoHS III 2015/863/EU, applying EN 61326-1:2021, EN 61326-2-3:2021, EN 61010-1:2010 + A1:2019, and EN IEC 63000:2018.
Common Questions about HARTCOM - HART® Modem
Common HARTCOM Questions
The HARTCOM modem establishes communication between a HART®-capable field device and a process controller computer. Two measuring clamps clip onto the HART® device, the USB cable plugs into the PC, and the modem then passes HART® data in both directions while keeping the transmitter galvanically isolated from the controller system.
HARTCOM-0 is the normal type of HART®/USB modem. HARTCOM-1 includes a 250 Ω HART® terminal resistor that can be switched in or out, plus a 24 V supply for powering the transmitter, both set with the Select button. Choose HARTCOM-1 when the loop needs the modem to supply transmitter power and the resistor; choose HARTCOM-0 when these are already provided externally.
Any HART®-capable transmitter that uses standard HART® communication can be used with either HARTCOM-0 or HARTCOM-1, because both modems meet the HART® communication standards in full. KOBOLD models offered with it include the NGM, NMB, NUS-4, NUS-7, NRE-4, NRE-7, and NTB.
A FT 232 RL driver program must be installed on the PC before the modem can communicate over the USB 1.1 or 2.0 port. Pick the driver version that matches the operating system and processor architecture of your computer. The link to the driver download is provided in the downloads section of this product page.
The modem itself draws its power from the USB interface of the PC or from a USB power bank; no separate supply is required for the modem. Transmitter loop power is a separate matter: HARTCOM-1 can supply 24 V to the current loop, while HARTCOM-0 relies on an external 24 VDC transmitter supply.
Three indicator groups report status. The USB LED shows off, standby (yellow), or active (green). The TX/RX LED turns red while the PC transmits and green while it receives. The HART® LED turns green when that interface is active, and its own TX/RX indicator lights red for transmission to the field device and green for reception from it.
Press the Select button briefly, for less than one second. Each press advances one step: resistor on and supply off, then resistor on and supply on, then both off, after which the cycle repeats. Holding the button for more than five seconds switches the modem off entirely, and holding it again switches it back on in its basic state.
No. The HARTCOM-x is supplied without surge protection, so adequate lightning protection should be installed on the loop. Any protection device used must not interfere with standard HART® signal transmission, because the modem relies on that signal to communicate with the transmitter and the PC.
Store the modem at an ambient temperature between -13 °F and +131 °F (-25 °C and +55 °C) with a relative humidity of no more than 98%. No regular maintenance is required in service, and a unit sent back for repair must first be cleaned and decontaminated, with a signed declaration enclosed.
Product Specifications
Operating temperature
-13 °F … +131 °F
Connection to PC
USB 1.1 “B” connector
Cable to PC
USB “A-B” 6ft
Connection to HART® field
KLEPS 2
Power supply
24 VDC external or loop powered
Spiral cable length
2.0 ft (3.6 ft) / 0.6 m (1.1 m)
Electrical protection
Class III
Product Features
For use with Kobold NGM, NMB, NUS-4, NUS-7, NRE-4, NRE-7, and NTB
Versatile and Reliable HART®-USB Modem
Real-time Status Information for both USB and HART Interfaces
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