The USB to Serial Adapter (for USB to Serial RS232 Adapters – Coolgear – Buy the Top USB to Serial Adapters Online)

A USB to serial adapter, otherwise referred to as a USB serial converter, or an RS232 adapter, is a small electronic device which converts a USB signal to serial RS232 data signals. RS232 is a signal type prevalent in older PCs and is often referred to as a serial COM port.

USB to serial adapters typically convert between USB and RS232, RS485, or RS422, and each adapter supports custom baud rates, high-speed and more.

Although the USB to serial adapter RS232 standard is an older communication protocol, it continues to be used by many modern serial RS232 devices in industrial or niche markets. Newer PC models do not have built-in COM ports so a USB serial adapter is often used for connecting serial devices to these computers. A standard USB to serial adapter is a practical device for connecting equipment such as printers, scanners, scales and GPS devices, but an industrial grade adapter is particularly effective in connecting business and consumer equipment to computers.

The USB serial adapter has a variety of versions and grades, the single port being the most popular version with two-, four- and multi- port adapters available when more than one is required. Computer operating systems are able to create multiple virtual COM ports by way of multi-port adapters connected with just one USB cable. Grades range from standard consumer grade to industrial and mission critical grade adapters. Most consumer grade USB serial adapters are not optically isolated or protected against high voltage spikes so wherever protection is needed from voltage spikes and surges, ground-loops and higher voltage requirements, industrial grade adapters are optimal to prevent damage to the adapter or the connected serial devices.

While technology has certainly changed by leaps since the early 1960’s, the serial RS232 protocol as we know it has existed unchanged since then. They continue to be a very reliable method of data communication and engineers easily use them to develop and program new devices. Since the serial protocol has prevailed for so long, many devices already have the serial protocol built-in which allows for smooth integration of new devices with old.