The 101-20011C is PROCENTEC's ComBricks Head Station Type 1C — the central processing module of the modular ComBricks PROFIBUS diagnostic system. Installed in the leftmost slot of a ComBricks backplane, it simultaneously monitors up to 4 PROFIBUS networks via the integrated ProfiTrace OE diagnostic engine and serves real-time network health data through a built-in web server. An RJ-45 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port supports up to 20 simultaneous web clients; protocols include HTTP, FTP, SMTP, SNMP, CommDTM, and DHCP. OPC tag streaming enables integration with higher-level SCADA and asset management systems.

How does the Type 1C differ from the Type 1A and 1B?

All three ComBricks Head Station variants share identical hardware; differentiation is by software feature enablement. The Type 1A (101-20011A) provides web server access only, with no PROFIBUS network monitoring capability. The Type 1B (101-20011B) adds ProfiTrace OE monitoring for a single PROFIBUS network, plus ProfiTrace 2 live streaming and OPC support. The Type 1C (101-20011C) extends monitoring to all 4 backplane networks, making it the only variant suitable for multi-segment PROFIBUS installations. For plants with a single PROFIBUS segment, the Type 1B is sufficient; for multi-network installations — or where future expansion is planned — the Type 1C is the minimum specification.

How is the ComBricks system expanded?

The Type 1C Head Station supports up to 32 modules on a single backplane, with up to 10 repeater modules in the first 10 slots. Repeater modules regenerate PROFIBUS signals for individual network segments; each repeater is assigned to one of the 4 backplane networks. Additional module types include digital I/O for alarm indication and fibre-optic transceivers for long-distance network extension. The head station provides 2.5 A of backplane current for connected modules. Redundant power is accepted via two independent 3-pin screw terminals (11–26 VDC, reverse-polarity protected).

What remote diagnostic capabilities does the web server provide?

The built-in ProfiTrace OE web server delivers live PROFIBUS network diagnostics to any browser — station status, message telegrams, bus statistics, and oscilloscope waveform views for signal quality analysis. An alarm relay (24 VAC, 0.5 A) triggers on user-configured events. Email notifications via SMTP alert maintenance staff to bus faults. An SD/SDHC card slot (up to 32 GB) logs events, messages, and GSD files locally. USB connectivity supports firmware updates. The head station also functions as a Class 2 PROFIBUS master for remote configuration tasks via CommDTM.