5 Steps for Choosing the Best USB to Serial adapter

The Quick Checklist:

1. Preferred processor chip: FTDI or Silabs (very reliable)
2. Preferred serial driver chip: ZyWyn, Maxin or NI (very reliable)
3. Minimum 5.0VDC output power at serial connector (ensures reliable data transmission)
4. Build-in electro-static protection for at least 600W (protects against static electricity)
5. LED lights for TX and RX activity (nice to have when troubleshooting)

U.S. Converters sells a line of USB to Serial adapters that offers all the above features. We recommend one of these two adapters for all newer operating systems:




Windows 7 / Vista 32/64-bit
Premium Grade adapter




Windows 7 / Vista 32/64-bit
Professional Grade adapter


The details:

1. Preferred processor chip: FTDI or Silabs
This is the utmost most important step. The reason why we highly recommend a USB to serial adapter with a processor chip from either FTDI or Silabs is because these are simply the best. We have extensive experience with these which shows us that these processor chips works with the majority of devices and equipment on the market. The drivers are very stable, easy to install and compatible with all versions of Windows 32/4-bit, Mac, Linux.

2. Preferred serial driver chip: ZyWyn, Maxin or NI
The serial driver chip is what is actually communicating and providing the power signals for your device connected to the USB to serial adapter. We recommend a brand name driver chip from ZyWyn, Maxin or NI because these are very reliable and works well with the FTDI and Silabs processor chips.

3. At least 5VDC output power at serial connector
We recommend a USB to serial adapter with at least 5VDC power output for the TX/RX signals. This will ensure a strong communication signal and that your device gets sufficient power. The output power is measured from signal ground to the Tx signal and the Rx signal.

4. Build-in static protection to at least 600W
Built-in static protection protects the USB to serial adapter against high voltage spikes created either by static electricity or by surges in the supply voltage. This problem can exist both at the USB end and the serial RS232 end.

5. LED lights for TX and RX activity
Not required but very nice to have. Being able to actually see when data is transmitted through the adapter is a big advantage when troubleshooting. This way its easier to find out where the problem lies; if its your computer, your device connected to the adapter or the adapter itself.


Things to avoid:

- Avoid adapters with a low-cost processor chip such as Prolific. The drivers are poorly written, incompatible with newer operating systems and creates unreliable communication.

- Avoid adapters with a low output power (less than 5VDC). Low output power makes the communication unreliable or even impossible.


Further reading:

Here is an overview of all our USB to Serial RS232 adapters.

Further reading: Why most USB to Serial adapters does not work with Windows 7

Small form factor adapter: Mini USB to serial adapter


For further information regarding serial data communication, questions or suggestions please
contact us.






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USB to Serial Adapter Wiki welcomed

We are happy to see that Magneto Tech Research has launced an informative site called: http://www.usb-serial-adapter.org/
It describes the exact same technical advantages as we have been 'preaching' for a long time. They already have success with http://www.rs232-to-rs485.com
Good Luck to Magneto Tech Research!

New mini USB to serial adapter for Windows 7

Well here is just a short post to announce our updated version of the mini USB to serial adapter which is compatible with Windows 7 32/64 bit and of course also all other versions of Windows, Linux and Mac. Check it out here:

USB to Serial adapter for Windows 7 32/64-bit

5 Things to Check when Chosing a USB to Serial adapter

Things to check: 1. Preferred processor chip: FTDI or Silabs 2. Preferred serial driver chip: ZyWyn, Maxin or NI 3. At least 5VDC output power at serial connector 4. Build-in static protection to at least 600W 5. LED lights for TX and RX activity The details: 1. Preferred processor chip: FTDI or Silabs This is the utmost most important step. The reason why we highly recommend a USB to serial adapter with a processor chip from either FTDI or Silabs is because these are simply the best. We have extensive experience with these which shows us that these processor chips works with the majority of devices and equipment on the market. The drivers are very stable, easy to install and compatible with all versions of Windows 32/4-bit, Mac, Linux. 2. Preferred serial driver chip: ZyWyn, Maxin or NI The serial driver chip is what is actually communicating and providing the power signals for your device connected to the USB to serial adapter. We recommend a brand name driver chip from ZyWyn, Maxin or NI because these are very reliable and works well with the FTDI and Silabs processor chips. 3. At least 5VDC output power at serial connector We recommend a USB to serial adapter with at least 5VDC power output for the TX/RX signals. This will ensure a strong communication signal and that your device gets sufficient power. The output power is measured from signal ground to the Tx signal and the Rx signal. 4.Build-in static protection to at least 600W Built-in static protection protects the USB to serial adapter against high voltage spikes created either by static electricity or by surges in the supply voltage. This problem can exist both at the USB end and the serial RS232 end. 5. LED lights for TX and RX activity Not required but very nice to have. Being able to actually see when data is transmitted through the adapter is a big advantage when troubleshooting. This way its easier to find out where the problem lies; if its your computer, your device connected to the adapter or the adapter itself. Things to avoid: - Avoid adapters with a low-cost processor chip such as Prolific. The drivers are poorly written, incompatible with newer operating systems and creates unreliable communication. - Avoid adapters with a low output power (less than 5VDC). Low output power makes the communication unreliable or even impossible. U.S. Converters is selling a line of USB to Serial adapters that offers all the above features. We recommend one of these two adapters for all newer operating systems: Windows 7 / Vista 32/64-bitPremium Grade adapter Windows 7 / Vista32/64-bit Professional Grade adapter Here is an overview of all our USB to Serial RS232 adapters. Further reading: Why most USB to Serial adapters does not work with Windows 7 For further information regarding serial data communication, questions or suggestions please contact U.S. Converters

Industrial Ethernet Switch - The beginning...

U.S. Converters inventory of industrial Ethernet switches has started growing. There seems to be a growing tendency for business using this rugged and highly reliable version of Ethernet switches. Is the reason an increase in the economic upturn? We hope so.

What exactly is an industrial Ethernet switch? Well, the answer is actually simple, an industrial Ethernet switch does exactly the same job as a standard Ethernet switch the only difference is that the industrial Ethernet switch is more reliable, better protected and often in a rugged / solid version.
Often the performance is better and more reliable than a standard home office Ethernet switch.

Most industrial Ethernet switches offers a backup system such as dual power supply and redundant network capabilities. For example if one leg of the network goes down then another backup leg is ready to take over the communication to keep up the network. This is sometimes called redundant ring capabilities.
To be continued...

U.S. Converters offers an industrial Ethernet switch line with 5-ports Fiber and 6-ports non-fiber switches.

The USB to Serial adapter - 5 things to look for when buying

The USB to Serial adapter, a great little device, however often it comes with lots of frustrations and time consuming setup procedures. Here are 5 things to make your life easier when buying and installing a USB to Serial adapter:

1. Choose a USB to Serial adapter with a FTDI or Silicon Labs chipset.
2. Only buy an adapter with a low-cost Prolific chipset if you plan on using it on older operating systems.
3. Use the latest drivers when installing the USB to serial adapter.
4. Read the installation / setup guide BEFORE attempting to install the adapter.
5. If you run into problems, make sure that the dealer offers qualified tech support.

As always www.USconverters.com offers highly qualified and efficient online tech support for all our products. Check out all our USB to Serial adapters.