Serial-to-USB Cable CradlePoint 170873-000 — USB (male) screw to RS-232 (female) screw, 40 cm, thumb-screw connectors

This CradlePoint serial-to-USB cable provides a 40 cm connection between a screw-mount USB Type A (male) and a screw-mount RS-232 D‑sub (female) connector for reliable serial communications. The cable is intended to link networking devices, modems or legacy RS-232 equipment to a USB host port. Screw and thumb‑screw fittings secure the connectors to equipment, reducing the risk of accidental disconnection in rack, vehicle or field installations.

Advantages

The screw and thumb‑screw connector design delivers vibration-resistant, secure connections suited for fixed installations. The compact 40 cm length minimizes cable clutter and signal attenuation for short links between adjacent devices. Physical screw mounting avoids the need for additional fastening accessories and supports reliable data transfer over RS-232 serial lines when connecting to modern USB hosts.

Suitable for

• Connecting legacy RS-232 serial devices (modems, consoles, instrumentation) to USB-only hosts
• Rack-mounted networking equipment requiring secure serial console access
• Vehicle or field installations where vibration and movement could loosen standard connectors
• Short point-to-point serial links in wiring closets or server rooms

Key specifications

• Connector A: Screw-mount USB Type A, male
• Connector B: Screw-mount RS-232 D‑sub, female
• Cable length: 40 cm
• Mounting: Thumb-screw / screw-fix connectors for secure attachment
• Signal type: RS-232 serial to USB data interface
• Typical use: Serial console and modem communication

How to use

Plug the screw-mount USB Type A male end into the USB host port and attach the RS-232 female end to the serial device's D‑sub port. Tighten the thumb‑screws to secure both connector interfaces and prevent accidental disconnection. If the connected USB host requires drivers or a virtual COM port adapter, install the appropriate driver software according to the host operating system instructions before initiating serial communication.

Recommendations

Use this cable for short, direct connections between adjacent devices; avoid routing it near high-voltage power lines or strong electromagnetic sources to reduce potential interference. Verify driver compatibility for USB-to-serial operation on the host device and confirm RS-232 signal levels match the attached equipment before use.