Vention USB to RS232 Serial Adapter Black 1.5M

The Vention USB to RS232 Serial Adapter Black 1.5M converts a standard USB port into a fully functional RS232 serial interface, giving modern computers reliable communication with legacy serial equipment. It serves engineers, IT administrators, and industrial technicians who need dependable serial connectivity for devices such as CNC machines, POS terminals, networking equipment, and laboratory instruments. This 1.5-meter variant provides additional cable reach compared to shorter alternatives, making it better suited to workbench setups, rack-mounted equipment, and installations where the host computer sits further from the connected serial device.

Technical Specifications

Serial Interface

• Serial Standard: RS232 (EIA/TIA-232)
• Connector Type: DB9 Male (DE-9)
• Signal Voltage: ±12V RS232 levels
• Supported Signals: TXD, RXD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, RI, GND
• Data Bits: 5, 6, 7, or 8
• Stop Bits: 1, 1.5, or 2
• Parity: None, odd, even, mark, space
• Flow Control: Hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (XON/XOFF)

Performance

• Baud Rate: 300bps to 921,600bps
• FIFO Buffer: 128-byte receive and transmit buffers
• Chipset: FTDI or Prolific (industry-standard serial conversion chipset)

USB Interface

• USB Version: USB 2.0 Full Speed
• USB Connector: Type-A Male
• USB Speed: Full Speed (12Mbps USB bandwidth)
• Power Draw: Bus-powered via USB (no external power required)
• Operating Voltage: 5V from USB bus

Physical Characteristics

• Cable Length: 1.5 meters
• DB9 Connector Housing: Black molded plastic with thumbscrews
• Cable Jacket: PVC, flexible
• Color: Black
• Weight: Approximately 55 grams

System Requirements

• Operating Systems: Windows XP/7/8/10/11, macOS 10.9+, Linux kernel 2.6+
• USB Port: Available USB 2.0 or 3.0 port
• Driver: FTDI VCP or Prolific PL2303 driver (available from manufacturer websites)

Environmental Specifications

• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 50°C
• Storage Temperature: -20°C to 70°C
• Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing

Compliance & Certification

• Regulatory: FCC, CE, RoHS compliant
• ESD Protection: ±15kV on RS232 signal pins

Use Cases and Applications

Rack-Mounted Equipment Management

Data center technicians and network engineers frequently manage rack-mounted servers, switches, routers, and KVM systems through serial console ports. Standard 1-meter adapters often fall short when the host laptop sits on a work surface below or beside the rack. The Vention USB to RS232 Serial Adapter’s 1.5-meter cable comfortably reaches equipment positioned in mid or upper rack units without requiring cable extensions or repositioning the host computer.

Industrial Machine Configuration

Manufacturing environments deploy CNC machines, PLCs, barcode verification systems, and process controllers that communicate exclusively through RS232 interfaces. Technicians configuring floor-standing industrial equipment benefit from the additional cable length when the machine’s serial port sits at an inconvenient height or distance from the connected laptop. Virtual COM port emulation ensures existing control software communicates with these devices without modification, preserving established workflow processes.

Workbench Instrument Connectivity

Electronics engineers and laboratory technicians connect oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and data loggers to computers for automated testing and data collection. Bench instruments typically sit at arm’s length from the controlling computer, making 1.5 meters a practical working distance. The adapter’s high baud rate support up to 921,600bps accommodates instruments requiring faster data transfer than standard diagnostic connections.

Network Device Console Access

Network engineers configure routers, switches, managed access points, and firewall appliances through serial console ports during initial setup or recovery procedures. Many enterprise networking devices from Cisco, Juniper, and similar manufacturers retain DB9 or RJ45-to-DB9 console interfaces as their primary out-of-band management channel. The additional cable length reduces awkward laptop positioning when working in cramped server rooms or network closets.

Building Automation and Access Control

Facilities managers and security technicians program access control panels, alarm systems, HVAC controllers, and building management equipment through serial interfaces. These systems often mount at fixed wall or panel locations that may sit beyond comfortable reach of a 1-meter cable. The 1.5-meter length provides flexibility when connecting to wall-mounted control panels, junction boxes, or equipment installed at non-desk heights.

Point-of-Sale System Servicing

Retail technology specialists service legacy POS terminals, receipt printers, customer displays, and cash drawers communicating via RS232. Floor-standing POS equipment, under-counter installations, and counter-mounted terminals all benefit from the additional cable slack the 1.5-meter length provides. Technicians can work comfortably with their laptop on the counter while the adapter reaches the serial port of equipment installed below or beside the work surface.

Compatibility Considerations

The DB9 male connector on the Vention USB to RS232 Serial Adapter connects directly to DB9 female RS232 ports found on most serial equipment. However, some devices use DB25 connectors or proprietary RJ45-to-serial adapters. Users connecting to these devices require an additional DB9-to-DB25 adapter or the appropriate breakout cable, which are widely available separately.

Chipset selection significantly affects driver reliability across operating systems. FTDI-based adapters generally offer broader OS support and more stable drivers than alternatives, particularly on macOS and Linux. Windows 10 and Windows 11 include inbox drivers for common serial chipsets, though installing the manufacturer’s latest drivers from the FTDI website typically improves performance and compatibility.

Linux users benefit from native kernel support for both FTDI and Prolific chipsets through the ftdi_sio and pl2303 kernel modules, eliminating manual driver installation in most distributions. macOS users running versions 10.15 and later should verify driver compatibility, as Apple’s security framework changes affected some third-party serial drivers. Users should download current drivers directly from the chipset manufacturer rather than relying on bundled installation media.

The 1.5-meter cable length introduces negligible additional signal degradation compared to shorter variants, as RS232 signal integrity remains reliable at this length under normal operating conditions. The ±15kV ESD protection on RS232 signal pins guards against electrostatic discharge damage during connection and disconnection, which is particularly relevant in industrial environments where static buildup on personnel and equipment is common.