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Datacom > Converters

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USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Process Converter

Connect, control, and manage as many as 16 serial RS-232/485 devices via a single USB port on your PC.

IC162A

Extended Double Diamond™ Warranty Available
(Three years for two)

Product Highlights

Features 16 RJ-45 ports for RS-232/485 device connections.

Enables you to link to these devices through a PC’s USB port.

Simplifies and reduces the cost of COM port expansion.

Description

USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Process Converter

Quick Facts

Features 16 RJ-45 ports for RS-232/485 device connections.

Enables you to link to these devices through a PC’s USB port.

Simplifies and reduces the cost of COM port expansion.

Further Details

COM port connectors designed for simplified RS-232/485 cabling connection.

Also has two fully rated (500-mA) USB 1.1 downstream ports.

Uses high-speed UARTs with 128-byte Tx FIFOs and 384-byte Rx FIFOs.

Supports 115.2-kbps (RS-232) and 921.6-kbps (RS-485) async data rates.

1U high. Mount it in the front or rear of a rack, or use it on the desktop.

Each port features at-a-glance Tx/Rx status LEDs for verifying data communications.

Ships with USB Type A/Type B cable and RS-232 and RS-485 loopback adapters.

The USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Converter from Black Box makes serial COM port expansion a snap. It enables you to quickly connect up to 16 RS-232 and/or RS-485 peripherals and serial industrial devices to your PC through a single USB port.

With this external standalone or rackmounted box, you can control multiple and varying devices without the need to install serial PCI cards and configure multiple I/O ports in your system. This means lower equipment costs and flexible serial connectivity.

What’s more, the USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Converter’s architecture greatly reduces the overhead on the host computer—this despite its communicating with a number of ports and devices simultaneously. In all, it uses 16 separate USB UARTs.

Ideal for factory automation, industrial control uses.
Just think of the possible applications. Instead of plugging factory automation devices into serial ports on your PC, you can attach them to this multiport converter device and communicate with them through a PC workstation or even a laptop.

Use it, for instance, to connect to multiple factory automation devices, such as data loggers and industrial machinery, or any device that depends on links that aren’t affected by excessive noise or spikes in voltage.

Even better, the USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Converter also has two USB 1.1 downstream connections. These make it convenient to daisychain multiple interface converter units or plug in USB peripherals.

RJ-45 COM ports designed for easy RS-232/485 connectivity.
This unique design of the USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Converter port connectors makes it easy to install and service serial devices in the field.

Both RS-232 and two-wire RS-485 signals are always present and active on the multi-interface RJ-45 connectors. All you have to do is choose the appropriate pinout for either RS-232 or RS-485 on a port-by-port basis.

You never need to open up the converter chassis to configure internal jumpers, switches, or shunts!

RJ-45 ports designed for easy RS-232/485 connectivity.
USB software drivers and utilities included with the USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Converter make installation and operation straightforward.

After you install the software drivers, each serial port appears as a standard COM port to your host system, enabling compatibility with your legacy software (the included drivers support a number of popular third-party software programs, including those used for process control).

What’s more, the API interface included on the installation CD gives you a variety of useful high-level function calls, implemented as a Windows® dynamic-link library (DLL). Plus, you get a WinSSD diagnostic utility for verifying operation.

What’s included:

USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Converter

Power supply

6-foot (1.8-m) USB Type A to USB Type B device cable

RS-232 RJ-45 serial loopback adapter

RS-485 RJ-45 serial loopback adapter

CD with software drivers and utilities

OS Systems Supported — Windows® 98 SE/Me, Windows 2000/XP; Windows/Vista®; Linux®
Data Rates (Maximum) — RS-232: 115.2 kbps;
RS-485: 921.6 kbps
Distance (Maximum) — RS-232: 50 ft. (15.2 m);
RS-485: 4000 ft. (1219.2 m)
CE Approval — Yes
RoHS — Yes
Indicators — LEDs: (2) Power; (1) RX/(1) TX for each of the (16) COM ports
Connectors — RS-232/485: (16) RJ-45;
USB host: (1) USB Type B F (USB 1.1. compliant; USB 2.0 compatible);
USB downstream: (2) USB Type A F (USB 1.1)
Operating Environment — Temperature: 32 to +158º F (0 to +70º C);
Humidity: 10 to 90%, noncondensing
Power — Input: 120 VAC, 60 Hz
Output: 5 VDC, 2.4 A
Size — Excluding rackmount ears: 1.7"H x 16.8"W x 7"D (4.3 x 42.7 x 17.8 cm)

Technical Specifications for USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Process Converter:

NOTE: Technical specification weight is the unit weight. It is not the packaged shipping weight. For shipping weight, please contact Black Box customer service at 877-877-2269.

Resources for USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Process Converter:

Manuals

USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Converter
(Version 1)

Connect your USB to Multi RS-232/485 Interface Process Converter with:

CAT5e Solid-Conductor Patch Cable, PVC, Straight-Pinned, Beige, 100-ft. (30.4-m)

» more info

Universal Serial Bus (USB) Cable, Version 1.1, Type A–Type B, 15-ft. (4.5-m)

» more info

Standard Manufacturer's Warranty

A Five year warranty is included.

Extended Two years for one Warranty Available

Protect your purchase with an additional Two years for oneDouble Diamond™ warranty!
Cost: $82.00

Extended Three years for two Warranty Available

Protect your purchase with an additional Three years for twoDouble Diamond™ warranty!
Cost: $163.99

Double Diamond™ Warranty (Standard)

Coverage:

The most complete product warranty exclusively from Black Box

The Double Diamond™ Warranty is our no-questions-asked warranty that protects your Black Box® brand products* from accidental damage, including drops, water, and power surges.

Most products come with a one- or two-year warranty. Some products, such as copper cables, manual switches, cabinets, and racks, are guaranteed for life! Standard Warranty features are as follows:

Worry-Free Purchases

If your new Black Box® brand products are accidentally damaged, you're covered with this no-questions asked warranty. FREE

Coverage

Double Diamond™ is the standard warranty that comes with your new Black Box® brand product. Most products come with a one- or two-year warranty.

Lifetime Guarantees

Many products, such as copper cables, manual switches, cabinets, and racks, are guaranteed for life.

Fast Service

During the warranty period, Black Box® Network Services will repair or replace your damaged equipment within one week of receipt at NO CHARGE!

Extra Coverage

Extend your warranty or protect a previously purchased Black Box® brand product* for an additional year for only 10% of the current retail price! And when you do, we give you the second year of extended coverage free! FREE Tech Support Hotline. No cost. No contracts. No kidding!

No-Risk 45-Day Return Policy

If it's not right, send it back.
(Excludes custom built products)

* Certain products may not be eligible.

Warranty Compared

	Black Box® Double Diamond™ Warranty	The Competition
Warranty Length	One Year to Lifetime, Depending on the Product.	Read the fine print.
Guaranteed for Life!	Black Box® Brand Copper Cables, Manual Switches and More!	No.
Accidental Damage	100% Covered!	No.
Water Damage	100% Covered!	No.
Power Surges	100% Covered!	No.
Warranty Replacements	No Questions Asked!	Forget It.
Tech Support Hotline	100% FREE!	$$$