Page 1 of 1
rs485 and rs242 and serial
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:54 am
by labium
can rs485 directly be connected to a serial port of a windows computer ?
what is the logic of making rs485 devices to be controled by a server if servers have no standard rs485 port.
the distance of the signal ?
labium
Re: rs485 and rs242 and serial
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:06 pm
by Willem4ever
RS485 is a bus and allows you to connect multiple devices (up to 32) to the same bus. Additionally using twisted pair cabling allows you to reach greater distances (up to 1200 meters). Thre is half-duplex using two wires and full-duplex using 4 wires.
Re: rs485 and rs242 and serial
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:21 pm
by mishoboss
What Willem4ever says is absolutely right. However the limit of ~32 devices and the bus length could be extended by repeaters. The bus length depends on the cabling quality. CAT-5 cable is a good and cheap option.
No, you can't connect directly RS-485 to RS-232 (the serial port of your computer). It is different interface. You need USB or RS-232 to RS-485 converter. They're relatively cheap and you could find one in your local electronics store.