USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter - Computer Cable Black Box - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter Cable
Brand	Black Box
Model	USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter
Category	Computer Cable
Interface	USB 2.0 (Type A) to RS-232 (DB9 male)
Cable Length	Approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet)
Weight	Approximately 0.1 kg (3.5 oz)
Power Source	Bus-powered via USB port (no external power required)
Data Transfer Rate	Up to 115.2 kbps
Supported Operating Systems	Windows, macOS, Linux (driver required)
Primary Function	Converts USB signal to RS-232 serial for legacy devices
LED Indicators	TX/RX activity lights (if present)
Connector Plating	Gold-plated contacts for corrosion resistance
Operating Temperature	0°C to 60°C (32°F to 140°F)
Storage Temperature	-20°C to 85°C (-4°F to 185°F)
Humidity Range	5% to 95% non-condensing
Warranty	Typically 1-2 years (check product documentation)
Maintenance & Cleaning	Disconnect before cleaning; use a dry cloth; avoid liquids and abrasives.
Safety	Do not expose to moisture or excessive heat. Ensure proper driver installation to avoid port conflicts.
Spare Parts & Repairability	Non-repairable; replace if defective. No user-serviceable parts.
General Info	Compliant with USB 2.0 and RS-232 standards. Plug-and-play after driver setup.

Frequently Asked Questions - USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter Black Box

How do I install the drivers for this converter?

Download the latest driver from the Black Box website and run the installer. Connect the converter after installation. For Windows, it may auto-install via Windows Update.

Is this converter compatible with Windows 10/11?

Yes, it works with Windows 10 and 11, but you may need to install a driver. Some systems recognize it as a USB Serial Port automatically.

Does it support macOS?

Yes, macOS often uses built-in drivers (e.g., for FTDI chips). Check the device chipset and install corresponding drivers if needed.

Can I use this with Linux?

Yes, Linux typically supports USB-to-serial adapters via the usbserial module. You may need to load the appropriate kernel module.

What is the maximum baud rate?

The converter supports baud rates up to 115.2 kbps, suitable for most legacy serial devices.

Why is my device not detected?

Ensure the driver is installed. Try a different USB port. Check if the serial device is powered on. Use Device Manager to verify the COM port.

Can I use this cable with a null modem?

Yes, but you may need a null modem adapter or a crossover cable. The converter itself is a DTE device.

Is the cable shielded?

Yes, the cable is typically shielded to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) for reliable data transfer.

How long is the cable?

The cable length is approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet). Enough for close connections.

What should I do if the LED is not lighting up?

Check the USB connection. If the LED is for TX/RX, it only lights during data activity. Ensure the port is enabled and drivers are loaded.

USER MANUAL USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter Black Box

USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter

Converts a USB port into a DB9 male RS-232 serial port.

• Perfect for PDAs, cameras, modems, and mobile phones.
- Powered by the USB port.

Two electronic devices: a USB serial converter connected via a transparent cable and a blue USB port, shown against a blue grid background (no text or symbols visible on the devices themselves).

Trademarks Used in this Manual

Black Box and the Double Diamond logo are registered trademarks of BB Technologies, Inc.

Mac and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

Pentium and Intel are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.

IBM Is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

Windows and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of their respective owners.

We're here to help! If you have any questions about your application or our products, contact Black Box Tech Support at 724-746-5500

or go to blackbox.com and click on "Talk to Black Box."

You'll be live with one of our technical experts in less than 30 seconds.

Federal Communications Commission and Industry Canada Radio Frequency Interference Statements

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy, and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.

This product complies with the EMC and Low Voltage directives of the European Community.

RoHS/WEEE

This product complies with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

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1. Specifications....6
2. Overview 7

2.1 Introduction 7
2.2 Features....7
2.3 What's Included 7
2.4 System Requirements 7

1. Installation 8

3.1 Windows Vista/Windows 7 8
3.2 Windows 2000/XP 9
3.3 Verifying the Driver Installation on Windows 10
3.4 Verifying the Driver Installation on Mac OS X....11
3.5 Connecting Serial Device 13

1. Specifications

Data Transfer Rate — 500 kbps

Operating Systems Supported — Windows® 98 SE/Me/2000/XP/7, Windows Vista® 32/64-bit, Mac® 10.x

Connectors — (1) USB Type A male, (1) DB9 male

Power — Bus-powered

Size — Length: 22" (55.9 cm)

2. Overview

2.1 Introduction

Use the USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter to connect your RS-232 serial devices to the USB port on your PC. Just connect the cable to the PC or hub's port, and connect the other end to an RS-232 device such as a PDA, scanner, or printer.

2.2 Features

• Complies with the USB 1.1 specification.
  • Supports an RS-232 serial interface.
  • Supports a 500-kbps data transfer rate.
• USB suspend condition.
• Plug-and-play compatible.
• USB host device drivers available.
• Draws its power from the USB connection—no extra power adapter required.
• Supports Windows 2000/XP/7, Windows Vista2/64-bit, and Mac 10.x.

2.3 What's Included

Your package should contain the following items. If anything is missing or damaged, contact Black Box Technical Support at 724-746-5500 or [e-mail].

• USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter
- CD-ROM containing software drivers and this user's manual

2.4 System Requirements

• IBM® compatible computer or Mac® computer
• Windows 2000/XP/7, Windows Vista 32/64-bit, or Mac 10.x
• An available USB port
• 64 MB of RAM or more
• Pentium® 233 MHz or higher

3. Installation

3.1 Windows Vista/Windows 7

NOTE: Do not connect the USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter to your computer before you install the software drivers.

1. Insert the product CD into your CD-ROM drive. Figure 3-1 appears. Run the Setup file under E:\Driver, where E: is your CD-ROM drive letter.

Figure 3-1. AutoPlay screen.

When the Welcome screen appears, click "Next."

Figure 3-2. Welcome screen.

1. Click "Finish" to complete the installation. See Figure 3-3.

Figure 3-3. Installation complete screen.

Once the installation is complete, connect the USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter to a free USB port on your computer.

3.2 Windows 2000/XP

NOTE: Do not connect the USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter to your computer before you install the software drivers.

1. Insert the provided CD into your CD-ROM drive. When the Welcome screen appears, click "Next."

Figure 3-4. Welcome screen.

1. When the screen shown in Figure 3-5 appears, click "Finish."

Figure 3-5. Installation complete screen.

Once the installation is complete, connect the USB to RS-232 DB9 Converter to a free USB port on your computer.

3.3 Verifying the Driver Installation on Windows

To verify the converter installation, follow the instructions below to launch Device Manager.

• On Windows 2000/XP: Right-click the "My Computer" icon on the desktop and select "Properties > System > (Hardware) > Device Manager."
• On Windows Vista/Windows 7: Right-click the "Computer" icon on the desktop and select "Properties > Device Manager."

In the Ports (COM & LPT) group, a string similar to "USB to Serial Port" or "Prolific USB to Serial Comm Port" displays.

NOTE: If there is a question or exclamation mark next to that item, then the driver is not properly installed. Delete the item and repeat the installation steps.

Figure 3-6. Selecting the ports.

3.4 Verifying the Driver Installation on Mac OS X

The provided Mac X driver supports:

• Mac OS 10.1 and above for PowerPC based Mac
• Mac OS 10.4 and above for Intel® based Mac

To install the drivers:

1. Insert the provided driver CD into your CD-ROM drive. Double-click the CD icon on the desktop and navigate to the \Driver\MacX directory. Copy and paste the PL2303_1.1.1r2.dmg file to the desktop.
2. Double-click the dmg file on the desktop to extract the file. Then double-click the PL2303_1.2.1 file that is extracted.
3. When the Welcome screen appears, click "Continue." See Figure 3-7.

Figure 3-7. Welcome screen.

1. Select a destination disk to install the driver and click "Continue." See Figure 3-8.

Figure 3-8. Select a Destination screen.

1. Click "Install."

Figure 3-9. Install screen.

1. When the Authenticate screen appears, enter your password in the provided field and click "OK." See Figure 3-10.

Figure 3-10. Authenticate screen.

1. Click "Continue Installation." See Figure 3-11.

Figure 3-11. Continue Installation screen.

1. Click "Restart" to finish installing the driver and reboot your Mac.

Figure 3-12. Restart button.

1. Connect the converter to a free USB port on your Mac.

2. To verify the installation: Go to "Apple System Profiler > Extensions." You should find ProlificUSBSerial among the list. This means that the installation is successful.

3.5 Connecting the Serial Device

Now you can connect your RS-232 device to the converter. If prompted to install the driver for your serial device, follow the instructions in the manual that you received with your serial device to complete the installation.

graph TD
    A["IC188A"] --> B["PC"]
    A --> C["Notebook"]
    A --> D["Scanner"]
    A --> E["Printer"]

Figure 3-13. Serial device connection.

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IC188A, version 1