MGate MB3170/MB3270 Series

1 and 2-port advanced serial-to-Ethernet Modbus gateways

Features and Benefits

• Supports Auto Device Routing for easy configuration

• Supports route by TCP port or IP address for flexible deployment

• Connects up to 32 Modbus TCP servers

• Connects up to 31 or 62 Modbus RTU/ASCII slaves

• Accessed by up to 32 Modbus TCP clients (retains 32 Modbus requests for

each Master)
• Supports Modbus serial master to Modbus serial slave communications

• Built-in Ethernet cascading for easy wiring

• 10/100BaseTX (RJ45) or 100BaseFX (single mode or multi-mode with SC/ST

connector)
• Emergency request tunnels ensure QoS control

• Embedded Modbus traffic monitoring for easy troubleshooting

• Serial port with 2 kV isolation protection (for “-I” models)

• -40 to 75°C wide operating temperature models available

• Supports redundant dual DC power inputs and 1 relay output

Certifications

Introduction
The MGate MB3170 and MB3270 are 1 and 2-port Modbus gateways, respectively, that convert between Modbus TCP, ASCII, and RTU
communications protocols. The gateways provide both serial-to-Ethernet communication and serial (master) to serial (slave) communications. In
addition, the gateways support simultaneously connecting serial and Ethernet masters with serial Modbus devices. The MGate MB3170 and
MB3270 Series gateways can be accessed by up to 32 TCP master/clients or connect to up to 32 TCP slave/servers. Routing through the serial
ports can be controlled by IP address, TCP port number, or ID mapping. A featured priority control function allows urgent commands to obtain an
immediate response. All models are rugged, DIN-rail mountable, and offer optional built-in optical isolation for serial signals.

Integrate TCP Masters without Altering the Modbus RTU/ASCII Network or Software
The MB3270 can integrate Modbus TCP with Modbus RTU/ASCII, without modifying the existing Modbus RTU/ASCII architecture or software. With
the serial redirector function, a serial master can maintain direct access to serial slave devices through a specially mapped serial port. This allows
the serial and TCP masters to access serial slaves simultaneously.

Optical Fiber for Ethernet Communication

The MGate MB3170 Series includes 100BaseFX fiber models that support transmission distances up to 4 km for multi-mode models, and up to 40
km for single-mode models. Optical fiber is well-suited for industrial applications because it is immune to electromagnetic noise and interference.
For environments that experience high ground loop voltages, fiber provides the best isolation protection, and because there is no danger of
sparking, optical fiber is safer than copper wire to use in hazardous environments.

Auto-Device Routing for Easy Configuration (Patent Pending)

Moxa’s Auto-Device Routing function helps eliminate many of the problems and inconveniences encountered by engineers who need to configure
large numbers of Modbus devices. A single mouse click is all that’s required to set up a slave ID routing table and configure Modbus gateways to
automatically detect Modbus requests from a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. By removing the need to manually create
the slave ID routing table, the Auto-Device Routing function saves engineers significant time and cost.

Priority Control for Urgent Commands (Patented)

As Modbus networks increase in size and complexity, the lag time between commands and responses becomes a major concern. Advanced
models of the MB3000 Series provide a priority control function for urgent commands, allowing users to force certain commands to get an
immediate response. Depending on your system’s requirements, different methods are available to define which commands receive priority.

1 www.moxa.com
Patent Numbers: (US/TW)
• US7,743,192 B2/I332618
• US7,725,635 B2/I321007

Specifications
Ethernet Interface
10/100BaseT(X) Ports (RJ45 connector) 2 (1 IP, Ethernet cascade)
Auto MDI/MDI-X connection

Magnetic Isolation Protection 1.5 kV (built-in)

Optical Fiber
100BaseFX

Multi-Mode Single-Mode

50/125 µm
Fiber Cable Type OM1 G.652
800 MHz x km

Typical Distance 4 km 5 km 40 km

Typical (nm) 1300 1310

Wavelength TX Range (nm) 1260 to 1360 1280 to 1340

RX Range (nm) 1100 to 1600 1100 to 1600

TX Range (dBm) -10 to -20 0 to -5

RX Range (dBm) -3 to -32 -3 to -34

Optical Power
Link Budget (dB) 12 29

Dispersion Penalty (dB) 3 1

Note: When connecting a single-mode fiber transceiver, we recommend using an

attenuator to prevent damage caused by excessive optical power.
Note: Compute the “typical distance” of a specific fiber transceiver as follows: Link
budget (dB) > dispersion penalty (dB) + total link loss (dB).

Ethernet Software Features

Industrial Protocols Modbus TCP Client (Master), Modbus TCP Server (Slave)

Configuration Options Web Console (HTTP/HTTPS), Device Search Utility (DSU), MGate Manager, Telnet
Console

Management ARP, DHCP Client, DNS, HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, SNMP Trap, SNMPv1/v2c/v3, TCP/IP,
Telnet, UDP, NTP Client

MIB RFC1213, RFC1317

Time Management NTP Client

Serial Interface
No. of Ports MGate MB3170 Series: 1
MGate MB3270 Series: 2

Connector MGate MB3170/MB3170I: DB9 male for RS-232 and terminal block for RS-422/485
MGate MB3270/MB3270I: 2 x DB9 male

Serial Standards RS-232/422/485 (software selectable)

Baudrate 50 bps to 921.6 kbps

Data Bits 7, 8

Parity None, Even, Odd, Space, Mark

2 www.moxa.com
Stop Bits 1, 2

Flow Control DTR/DSR, RTS Toggle (RS-232 only), RTS/CTS

RS-485 Data Direction Control ADDC® (automatic data direction control)

Pull High/Low Resistor for RS-485 1 kilo-ohm, 150 kilo-ohms

Terminator for RS-485 120 ohms

Isolation MGate MB3170I: 2 kV (I models)

MGate MB3170I-T: 2 kV (I models)
MGate MB3170I-M-SC: 2 kV (I models)
MGate MB3170I-M-SC-T: 2 kV (I models)
MGate MB3170I-S-SC: 2 kV (I models)
MGate MB3170I-S-SC-T: 2 kV (I models)
MGate MB3270I: 2 kV (I models)
MGate MB3270I-T: 2 kV (I models)

Serial Signals
RS-232 TxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, GND

RS-422 Tx+, Tx-, Rx+, Rx-, GND

RS-485-2w Data+, Data-, GND

RS-485-4w Tx+, Tx-, Rx+, Rx-, GND

Serial Software Features

Industrial Protocols Modbus RTU/ASCII Master, Modbus RTU/ASCII Slave

Modbus (Transparent)
Max. No. of Client Connections 32

Max. No. of Server Connections 32

Power Parameters
Input Voltage 12 to 48 VDC

Input Current MGate MB3170/MB3270: 435 mA @ 12 VDC

MGate MB3170I/MB3170-S-SC/MB3170I-M-SC/MB3170I-S-SC: 555 mA @ 12 VDC
MGate MB3270I/MB3170-M-SC/MB3170-M-ST: 510 mA @ 12 VDC

Power Connector 7-pin terminal block

Relays
Contact Current Rating Resistive load: 1 A @ 30 VDC

Physical Characteristics
Housing Plastic

IP Rating IP30

Dimensions (with ears) 29 x 89.2 x 124.5 mm (1.14 x 3.51 x 4.90 in)

Dimensions (without ears) 29 x 89.2 x 118.5 mm (1.14 x 3.51 x 4.67 in)

Weight MGate MB3170 Series: 360 g (0.79 lb)

MGate MB3270 Series: 380 g (0.84 lb)

3 www.moxa.com
Environmental Limits
Operating Temperature MGate MB3170: 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F)
MGate MB3170-T: -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F)
MGate MB3170-M-SC: 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F)
MGate MB3170-M-SC-T: -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F)
MGate MB3170-M-ST: 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F)
MGate MB3170-M-ST-T: -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F)
MGate MB3170-S-SC: 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F)
MGate MB3170-S-SC-T: -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F)
MGate MB3170I: 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F)
MGate MB3170I-T: -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F)
MGate MB3170I-M-SC: 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F)
MGate MB3170I-M-SC-T: -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F)
MGate MB3170I-S-SC: 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F)
MGate MB3170I-S-SC-T: -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F)
MGate MB3270: 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F)
MGate MB3270-T: -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F)
MGate MB3270I: 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F)
MGate MB3270I-T: -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F)

Storage Temperature (package included) -40 to 85°C (-40 to 185°F)

Ambient Relative Humidity 5 to 95% (non-condensing)

Standards and Certifications

EMC EN 55032/24

EMI CISPR 32, FCC Part 15B Class A

EMS IEC 61000-4-2 ESD: Contact: 6 kV; Air: 8 kV

IEC 61000-4-3 RS: 80 MHz to 1 GHz: 10 V/m
IEC 61000-4-4 EFT: Power: 4 kV; Signal: 2 kV
IEC 61000-4-5 Surge: Power: 2 kV
IEC 61000-4-6 CS: 10 V
IEC 61000-4-8 PFMF
IEC 61000-4-11 DIPs

Hazardous Locations ATEX, Class I Division 2, IECEx

Maritime DNV-GL

Freefall IEC 60068-2-32

Shock IEC 60068-2-27

Vibration IEC 60068-2-6, IEC 60068-2-64

Safety EN 60950-1, IEC 60950-1, IEC 62368-1, UL 62368-1

MTBF
Time MGate MB3170/MB3170I Series: 1,349,710 hrs
MGate MB3170-M-SC/M-ST/S-SC Series: 1,175,887 hrs
MGate MB3170I-M-SC Series: 768,343 hrs
MGate MB3170I-S-SC Series: 763,707 hrs
MGate MB3270/MB3270I Series: 1,236,384 hrs

Standards Telcordia SR332

Warranty
Warranty Period 5 years

Details See www.moxa.com/warranty

4 www.moxa.com
Package Contents
Device 1 x MGate MB3170/MB3270 Series gateway

Documentation 1 x quick installation guide

1 x warranty card

Dimensions

Ordering Information
Model Name Ethernet No. of Serial Ports Serial Standards Serial Isolation Operating Temp.

MGate MB3170 2 x RJ45 1 RS-232/422/485 – 0 to 60°C

MGate MB3170I 2 x RJ45 1 RS-232/422/485 2 kV 0 to 60°C

MGate MB3270 2 x RJ45 2 RS-232/422/485 – 0 to 60°C

MGate MB3270I 2 x RJ45 2 RS-232/422/485 2 kV 0 to 60°C

MGate MB3170-T 2 x RJ45 1 RS-232/422/485 – -40 to 75°C

MGate MB3170I-T 2 x RJ45 1 RS-232/422/485 2 kV -40 to 75°C

MGate MB3270-T 2 x RJ45 2 RS-232/422/485 – -40 to 75°C

MGate MB3270I-T 2 x RJ45 2 RS-232/422/485 2 kV -40 to 75°C

MGate MB3170-M-SC 1 x Multi-Mode SC 1 RS-232/422/485 – 0 to 60°C

MGate MB3170-M-ST 1 x Multi-Mode ST 1 RS-232/422/485 – 0 to 60°C

MGate MB3170-S-SC 1 x Single-Mode SC 1 RS-232/422/485 – 0 to 60°C

MGate MB3170I-M-SC 1 x Multi-Mode SC 1 RS-232/422/485 2 kV 0 to 60°C

MGate MB3170I-S-SC 1 x Single-Mode SC 1 RS-232/422/485 2 kV 0 to 60°C

MGate MB3170-M-SC-T 1 x Multi-Mode SC 1 RS-232/422/485 – -40 to 75°C

MGate MB3170-M-ST-T 1 x Multi-Mode ST 1 RS-232/422/485 – -40 to 75°C

MGate MB3170-S-SC-T 1 x Single-Mode SC 1 RS-232/422/485 – -40 to 75°C

5 www.moxa.com
Model Name Ethernet No. of Serial Ports Serial Standards Serial Isolation Operating Temp.

MGate MB3170I-M-SC-T 1 x Multi-mode SC 1 RS-232/422/485 2 kV -40 to 75°C

MGate MB3170I-S-SC-T 1 x Single-Mode SC 1 RS-232/422/485 2 kV -40 to 75°C

Accessories (sold separately)

Cables
CBL-F9M9-150 DB9 female to DB9 male serial cable, 1.5 m

CBL-F9M9-20 DB9 female to DB9 male serial cable, 20 cm

Connectors
Mini DB9F-to-TB DB9 female to terminal block connector

Power Cords
CBL-PJTB-10 Non-locking barrel plug to bare-wire cable

© Moxa Inc. All rights reserved. Updated Feb 25, 2020.

This document and any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of
Moxa Inc. Product specifications subject to change without notice. Visit our website for the most up-to-date product information.

6 www.moxa.com