{"id":1012998,"date":"2023-09-04T19:38:14","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T19:38:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta-new.inhand.com\/?p=6779"},"modified":"2026-06-04T00:44:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T00:44:01","slug":"what-is-modbus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inhand.com\/en\/support\/blogs\/what-is-modbus","title":{"rendered":"What is Modbus and How does It Work in the Industry?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What is Modbus and How does It Work in the Industry?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The protocol is the language used for communication technology, just like the language of our daily conversation. If you don\u2019t learn this protocol, you only know that it is \u201c1\u201d, and if you have learned that, you will know that it means left.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What is a protocol?<\/strong><\/p>

First, let\u2019s know what a protocol is. The protocol is the language used for communication technology, just like the language of our daily conversation. For example, we make an agreement called protocols, \u201c1\u201d is left, \u201c2\u201d is right, and I will give you a \u201c1\u201d. If you don\u2019t learn this protocol, you only know that it is \u201c1\u201d, and if you have learned that, you will know that it means left.<\/p>

What is Modbus protocol?<\/p>

After comprehending the concept of \u201cprotocol\u201d, let\u2019s look at what Modbus protocol is. Modbus is a serial communication protocol, and it is a bus protocol published by Modicon Company (now owned by Schneider Electric) in 1979 for communication with its programmable logic controller (PLC).<\/p>

Several versions of the Modbus protocol exist for the serial port and Ethernet and the most common are Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII and Modbus Plus.<\/p>

Modbus ASCII protocol<\/strong><\/p>

Modbus ASCII protocol is based on Modbus RTU protocol, which converts instructions into ASCII characters for transmission. For example, Modbus RTU protocol needs to transmit \u201c12\u201d, which only needs one byte. Modbus ASCII protocol needs to convert \u201c1\u201d to \u201c31\u201d and \u201c2\u201d to \u201c32\u201d, and then it takes two bytes to transmit. Therefore, Modbus ASCII is inefficient and has a low utilization rate.<\/p>

Modbus Plus protocol<\/strong><\/p>

Modbus Plus protocol, commonly known as MB+, is a high-speed Fieldbus network, a typical token bus network and a local area network system, especially for industrial control applications.<\/p>

Modbus TCP protocol<\/strong><\/p>

Modbus TCP protocol is used to manage and control automation equipment. It covers the use of Modbus messages in \u201cIntranet\u201d and \u201cInternet\u201d environments using TCP\/IP protocol. You can see it as Modbus RTU protocol running on Ethernet.<\/p>

Modbus RTU protocol<\/strong><\/p>

Modbus protocol is a protocol running between devices, or we should say there must be Modbus RTU protocol between devices! This is stipulated in Modbus protocol, and the default mode must be RTU protocol. Frame structure generally consists of address, function code, data and check.<\/p>

Why is Modbus protocol all the rage?<\/strong><\/p>

Up to this point, it doesn\u2019t seem to see why the Modbus protocol can be so popular. Let\u2019s find out together.<\/p>

Modbus has become the industry standard of communication protocol in the industrial field (De facto), and now it is a common connection mode (an industrial standard) between industrial electronic devices. In addition, there are the three primary keys to its success:<\/p>