When you're working in control cables, connectors, and I/O, you'll often need two very different things: hardware that moves data in and out of your PLC, and cable that carries power and signals to devices in the field. The AUTOMATION DIRECT H2-ERM100 remote I/O module and the Belden 482 ft industrial control cable sit on opposite sides of that split. One gives a compatible DirectLOGIC DL205 rack an Ethernet connection for remote I/O. The other gives you a long run of 18AWG cable for physical wiring. The right choice comes down to which part your project is missing.
Quick verdict: If you need to get a DirectLOGIC DL205 system talking to remote I/O over Ethernet, the $159.00 H2-ERM100 is the module to buy. If you need a full 482 ft of 18AWG control cable to wire up panels and field devices, the $641.24 Belden roll is the one that solves that problem. They don't compete for the same connection point, so your immediate bottleneck decides the winner.
| Product | Price | Price Bar | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H2-ERM100 Remote I/O Module | $159.00 | Adds one Ethernet 10/100Base-T port to compatible DL205 or Do-more H2 CPUs | Expanding a PLC system with networked remote I/O | |
| Belden 18AWG Industrial Control Cable | $641.24 | 482 ft roll of 18AWG 600V TC / 150V NPLF control cable | Running control wiring and field connections over distance |
Where the H2-ERM100 wins: If your system already has a DL205 rack and you need remote I/O on the network, the H2-ERM100 is the straightforward answer. It's designed for D2-240, D2-250, D2-250-1, D2-260, D2-262, and Do-more H2 series CPUs, and it adds one 10/100Base-T port for Ethernet communication. It's also the more affordable choice in this head-to-head, which matters if you're watching the budget. It won't work with a D2-230 CPU or the H2-WPLCx-xx series, so make sure your CPU is on the compatible list before you order.
Where the Belden cable wins: If you're past the data side and need to physically connect control panels to machines, the Belden roll is the better fit. You get a continuous 482 ft of 18AWG industrial control cable, rated 600V TC and 150V NPLF for 90C dry/wet applications. That length is useful for longer runs through trays or conduit, and it means you don't have to piece together multiple shorter rolls. The tradeoff is that this cable doesn't carry Ethernet or act as an I/O module; it's for the wiring that carries power and signals between components.
AUTOMATION DIRECT H2-ERM100 / H2ERM100 DirectLOGIC DL205 remote I/O module
This module is the networking bridge for a compatible DL205 system. It adds one Ethernet 10/100Base-T port, which lets a D2-240, D2-250, D2-250-1, D2-260, D2-262, or Do-more H2 series CPU talk to remote I/O over your local area network. It's listed in new open-box condition, so you're getting a fresh unit rather than a used pull. The main limitation is CPU compatibility: it is not compatible with the D2-230 CPU or the H2-WPLCx-xx series, so this module won't help if your rack uses one of those processors. If your project needs Ethernet remote I/O on a supported DL205 backplane, this is the component that makes that connection possible.
Belden 2AS-1801POS-B-B/R Industrial Control Cable 1120A 01010000 ROLL OF 482FT
This Belden cable is the physical backbone for control wiring. The 482 ft roll gives you a long continuous run of 18AWG industrial control cable, rated 600V TC and 150V NPLF for 90C dry/wet applications. It's listed in new open-box condition as well. The limitation is that a cable can't add remote I/O or network connectivity; if your control panel is stuck on the data side, this doesn't solve that problem. It's meant for the wiring that carries signals and power between components, not for Ethernet communication. If you need a bulk roll to finish a wiring run, this is the item that gets the job done.
Final choice by use case: Choose the H2-ERM100 if you have a compatible DirectLOGIC DL205 or Do-more H2 CPU and you want to add Ethernet remote I/O. Choose the Belden cable if you need a 482 ft run of 18AWG control cable for wiring panels and devices. In a larger project, both belong on the same order; they handle different parts of the control path.
