USB to RS-485 Serial Cable Exsys EX-13009 1.0 m, FTDI chipset

The Exsys EX-13009 is a 1.0 m USB to RS-485 serial cable with an FTDI chipset that converts between a USB host port and an RS-485 differential serial line. The cable allows connection of RS-485 devices such as industrial instruments, controllers and serial peripherals to a PC or embedded system for configuration, monitoring and data exchange. The integrated FTDI chipset provides a standard USB serial interface and supports common operating systems with appropriate drivers or native support.

Advantages

The integrated FTDI chipset ensures reliable USB-to-serial conversion and stable data transfer over RS-485 differential pairs. The 1.0 m cable length offers a balance between desktop convenience and reach to nearby equipment without excess slack. The single-cable design eliminates the need for an external converter box, simplifying installation and reducing footprint. Plug-and-play operation is available where the host OS includes FTDI drivers, and vendor drivers can be installed when required.

Suitable for

• Connecting PLCs, motor controllers and industrial sensors to a PC for configuration
• Field instrumentation and monitoring systems requiring RS-485 communication
• Serial peripheral devices that use differential RS-485 signaling
• Embedded systems and development boards that need a USB interface for RS-485 devices

Key specifications

• Cable length: 1.0 m
• Interface conversion: USB (host) to RS-485 (differential pair)
• Chipset: FTDI USB-to-serial controller
• Connector on USB side: standard USB type A plug
• Connector on serial side: RS-485 terminated leads or standard DB/terminal as supplied
• Data direction: half-duplex operation typical for RS-485 networks
• Power supply: powered from the USB host port

How to use

Connect the USB Type-A plug to an available USB port on the host computer or embedded system. Wire the RS-485 differential pair and ground to the remote RS-485 device according to the device's wiring diagram and the cable's lead assignments. If the host operating system does not automatically recognize the FTDI device, install the appropriate FTDI driver provided by the OS or the chipset vendor. After driver installation the cable appears as a virtual COM/serial port; configure baud rate, parity, data bits and stop bits in your terminal or application to match the RS-485 device settings. Where multiple RS-485 nodes share a bus, observe proper bus termination, device addressing and collision avoidance practices.

Recommendations

Use twisted-pair wiring and, where required by the installation environment, shielded cable to reduce electromagnetic interference. Ensure correct A/B polarity for RS-485 connections and apply termination resistors at the ends of the bus if the network length and data rate necessitate them. Avoid routing the cable alongside high-voltage power lines for best signal integrity.