Kongsberg RSER200-4 | RIO200 4-Channel Isolated Serial Interface Module for K-Chief DCS In Stock

Description

At-A-Glance Executive Brief

• Model: RSER200-4, part number 603444
• Brand: Kongsberg Maritime
• Part Type: RIO200 series four-channel galvanically isolated serial line interface module
• Lifecycle status: OEM obsolete; stocked for brownfield marine K-Chief automation retrofits
• System compatibility: K-Chief 500 / K-Chief 600, K-Pos DP, RIO200 RBUS, connects up to 3 RCU controllers
• Weight: 0.34 kg

Technical Introduction

Failure of the RSER200-4 terminates serial data exchange between navigation instruments, remote sensors and the K-Chief DCS, losing position, depth, weather or instrument data to the vessel control and alarm system. The RSER200-4 is a dedicated serial gateway inside the Kongsberg RIO200 remote I/O family. It provides four independently isolated field serial ports to interface external marine instruments to the RCU controllers. Each channel is software configurable for RS232, RS422 or RS485 physical layers and supports NMEA0183, Modbus RTU and ASCII protocols. Three link ports allow redundant multi-controller connections to RCUs for high availability. Front panel LEDs display module run/error and per-channel Tx/Rx activity. It is RBUS-powered, hot-swappable, built with conformal coated PCB and meets IEC 60945 marine environmental standards. Ship owners and offshore operators hold spare units to minimize downtime while planning legacy K-Chief migration.

• Best Suited For
  • K-Chief vessel automation, dynamic positioning K-Pos and offshore platform control cabinets
  • Connecting navigation, depth, wind and serial transmitters to the main DCS
  • Direct drop-in replacement for existing Kongsberg RSER200-4 RIO200 serial modules

Core Technical Specifications

Field Engineer’s Tech Notes

• All serial channel parameters (baud rate, parity, protocol) are stored in the K-Chief application database. A replacement module requires downloading the correct serial configuration before commissioning.
• The module supports hot-swap, but verify RBUS bus health before removing the card to avoid temporary bus disturbance.
• Use shielded twisted-pair wiring for RS422/485 field links and apply single-point shield grounding to prevent ground loop noise on low-level serial signals.

Adaptive QA & Testing Protocol

Each RSER200-4 is bench powered over RBUS 24VDC and connected to a K-Chief RCU test setup. We configure all four serial channels with mixed physical layers and protocols. Serial data transmission and reception are validated with NMEA0183 and Modbus RTU test instruments. Redundant RCU link paths are verified, and run, fault and Tx/Rx LEDs are checked. Internal voltage supervision and hot-swap behavior are tested. Full test reports or bench test video clips are available upon request.

Buyer’s FAQ

Q: What is Kongsberg RSER200-4 used for? A: It is a 4-channel isolated serial interface module in the RIO200 family, used to connect serial marine instruments to K-Chief / K-Pos DCS and DP systems.

Q: What warranty applies for refurbished and NSFP RSER200-4? A: Refurbished and NSFP units carry a 12-month hardware warranty. Coverage excludes damage from reversed RBUS power, ESD, misconfigured serial parameters or field wiring transients.

Q: What lead time should I expect? A: Stocked units ship 3–7 business days. If inventory is depleted, lead time increases while we source surplus Kongsberg RIO200 modules.

Q: Is RSER200-4 hot-swappable? A: Yes, designed for hot replacement on the RIO200 RBUS rack without full cabinet shutdown.