When you're shopping for components in an industrial control setup, you can face two very different parts that both connect your controller to the rest of the system: a remote I/O module that adds an Ethernet port to a PLC rack, and an industrial control cable that links a controller to a field device. The Automation Direct H2-ERM100 and the Keyence OP-87529 sit on opposite sides of that job. The right choice depends on whether your next step is expanding I/O or wiring an existing Keyence control platform.
Quick verdict
If your control cabinet uses a DirectLOGIC DL205 or Do-more H2 series CPU and you need to bring that rack onto an Ethernet network, the Automation Direct H2-ERM100 is the component designed for that job. If you need a new industrial control cable for a Keyence controller, the Keyence OP-87529 is the one to pick. The two parts solve different wiring problems, so the deciding factor is which connection your system is missing.
Side-by-side comparison
| Automation Direct H2-ERM100 | Keyence OP-87529 | |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Remote I/O module with one Ethernet 10/100Base-T port | Industrial control cable |
| Price | USD 159.00 | USD 190.00 |
| Condition | New - Open box | New |
| Origin | China | Japan |
| Compatibility | DirectLOGIC DL205 / Do-more H2 series CPUs | Keyence Automate controller platform |
Where each product wins
The H2-ERM100 wins when your system is built around a DirectLOGIC DL205 rack. It gives you one Ethernet port for remote I/O, and the part is explicitly made for D2-240, D2-250, D2-250-1, D2-260, D2-262, and Do-more H2 series CPUs. That makes it a direct fit for those racks, with the caveat that it is not compatible with D2-230 CPUs or H2-WPLCx-xx processors.
The Keyence OP-87529 wins when you're in a Keyence environment. It's a dedicated industrial control cable from Keyence, used with the Automate controller platform. It serves the very specific role of a control cable for Keyence gear.
Product notes
Automation Direct H2-ERM100
This is the component you want when your PLC rack needs network connectivity. The H2-ERM100 is a DirectLOGIC DL205 remote I/O module with a single Ethernet 10/100Base-T port. It is designed for use with a specific family of CPUs: D2-240, D2-250, D2-250-1, D2-260, D2-262, and Do-more H2 series. If that describes your system, the module is a straightforward way to add remote I/O over Ethernet. One clear limitation is the CPU compatibility list: it is not compatible with the D2-230 CPU or with H2-WPLCx-xx processors. That means the module is best for installations that already use one of the supported CPUs.
Keyence OP-87529
If you're working in a Keyence environment, the OP-87529 is a purpose-built industrial control cable with that exact model number. It's intended for the Automate controller platform, so it fits into a Keyence-based control setup. Having the correct cable part number on hand can save you from mismatched wiring when you're building or servicing a panel. The limitation is that this is a cable, not an I/O module-it doesn't provide Ethernet or remote I/O functionality. It serves the specific role of a control cable for Keyence gear rather than a universal cable.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Automation Direct H2-ERM100 if you have a DirectLOGIC DL205 or Do-more H2 series CPU and want one Ethernet port for remote I/O. At $159, it's the lower-priced of the two parts. Choose the Keyence OP-87529 if you need a new industrial control cable for a Keyence Automate controller platform; it costs $190 and is the dedicated cable for that environment.
