Device cables
This page contains information and teardown photos of various multimeter/datalogger/etc. PC connectivity cables and adapters.
Multimeters
Agilent U1173A
The Agilent U1173A is an IR-USB cable.
Hardware:
- Prolific PL2303HX (max. baudrate 19200, according to the Agilent website)
Works with:
- Agilent U1230/40/50/70 series
- Note: For the U1240 series, the additional U1179A IR bracket is required.1
Where to buy:
- TODO.
Agilent U1177A
The Agilent U1177A is an IR-Bluetooth interface module.
Notes: 9600 baud, 8n1 settings on the PC. The protocol (AT commands) allows changing the baud rate to 19200, among other things.1 Default Bluetooth PIN: 1234. For the U1240 series, the additional U1179A IR bracket is required.2
Hardware:
- CSR BC417...
- Macronix MX...
- PCB markings: U1177-26500, REV004, MSD-02
Works with:
- Agilent U1230/40/50/70 series
Where to buy:
- TODO.
Amprobe 38SW-A
The Amprobe 38SW-A is an RS232 PC interface cable for the Amprobe 38XR-A multimeter. The "38SW-A" name is also used to refer to the respective PC software for use with the serial cable.
Hardware:
- TODO.
Works with:
Where to buy:
- Digikey, TME.eu, RS Components, Mercateo, testersandtools.com, Newark, Distrelec, and various others.
- The usual price is around €20-€35, depending on vendor and location.
Brymen BU-86X
TODO.
Hardware:
- TODO.
Works with:
- Brymen BM867/BM869
Where to buy:
- TODO.
Digitek DT4000ZC cable
The Digitek DT4000ZC (and the rebadged TekPower TP4000ZC) ship with this RS232-to-audio cable.
Hardware:
- TODO.
Works with:
Where to buy:
- The cable ships with the multimeter. It's unclear whether it can be bought standalone (without DMM).
Digitek DT4000ZC photos:
TekPower TP4000ZC photos:
Fluke IR189USB
The Fluke IR189USB is a USB interface cable for Fluke-18x and 28x series DMMs. It is a basic USB-serial cable, based on the FTDI FT232RL chip.
Fluke OC4USB
The Fluke OC4USB is a USB interface cable for the Fluke 120 series, 190 series scope meter, and the 430 series power quality analyzer.
Resources:
Fluke PM9080
The Fluke PM9080 is an RS232 interface cable for "digital hard-copy output to serial printer or remote control via a PC".
The max. supported baud rate is 57600.
Hardware:
- TODO.
Works with:
- Fluke scope meter test tools, power harmonics analyzers, graphical multimeters and multifunction counters.
Where to buy:
- flukeonlinestore.com ($185.95)
- fluke.eu (€240.-)
- Farnell (€240.-)
- instrumentation2000.com ($187.95)
- RS-Online (€245.-)
- Amazon ($168.23)
Resources:
- DIY optical link cable for the Fluke Scopemeter 190 series
- PM9080 Optically-isolated RS-232C Interface Adapter (comparison of the different cable revisions)
GreenLee DMSC-9U
TODO.
Hardware:
- TODO.
Works with:
- GreenLee DM-800 series, DML-430A
Where to buy:
- TODO.
MASTECH MAS34X cable
TODO.
Hardware:
- TODO.
Works with:
- MASTECH MAS345, others
Where to buy:
- TODO.
UNI-T UT-D02
The UNI-T UT-D02 is an RS232 cable for various UNI-T multimeters (and rebranded models) with PC connectivity.
Hardware:
- TODO.
Works with:
- UNI-T UT61D/...
- Voltcraft VC820/VC840/...
Where to buy:
- Reichelt (€15.95)
- Conrad/Voltcraft (€9.95)
- Pinnesonne (€5.00)
- eBay, various sellers (€7.99)
UNI-T UT-D04
The UNI-T UT-D04 (see also uni-trend.com.cn) is a USB/HID cable for various UNI-T multimeters (and rebranded models) with PC connectivity.
There have been (at least) two versions of this cable, the older one with Hoitek HE2325U USB/HID chip, the newer one using a WCH CH9325 USB/HID chip.
Hardware (old version):
- Hoitek HE2325U
Hardware (new version):
- WCH CH9325 (WCH = Nanjing QinHeng Electronics Co., Ltd.)
Works with:
- UNI-T UT61D/...
- Voltcraft VC820/VC840/...
- TODO
Where to buy:
- Reichelt (€9.95)
- Conrad/Voltcraft (€25.95)
- Pinnesonne (€8.90)
- eBay, various sellers (€12.37)
V&A VA4000
The V&A VA4000 is a USB PC interface cable for various V&A multimeters.
It seems there have been at least two different revisions of the cable. The older one used a Sunplus SPCP825 USB-to-serial chip (see here, here, or also check the drivers from here), the newer revisions use a Prolific PL2303HX chip.
Hardware (old cable version):
- USB to serial chip: Sunplus SPCP825
- Crystal: ?
Hardware (new cable version):
- USB to serial chip: Prolific PL2303HX YR0903A
- Crystal: 12MHz
Works with:
- TODO.
Where to buy:
- TODO.
V&A VA4001
The V&A VA4001 is an RS232 PC interface cable for various V&A multimeters.
TODO.
Victor 86C USB cable
The Victor 86C PC interface cable (doesn't seem to have a specific name or part number) contains a USB/HID chip.
Hardware:
- USB/HID chip: Unmarked SO-20 chip
Works with:
- Victor 86C. Maybe other Victor models(?)
Where to buy:
- The cable ships with the Victor 86C. It's unclear whether it can be bought standalone (without DMM).
More information about the USB chip and the protocol it uses to communicate with the PC can be found on the Victor protocol page.
Sound level meters
Colead SL-5868P cables
Some models of the Colead SL-5868P sound level meter come with a set of two cables:
Tondaj SL-814 cable
The Tondaj SL-814 sound level meter ships with this USB PC interface cable.
Hardware:
- USB to serial chip: Prolific PL2303HX LFC10073A
- Crystal: 12MHz
Works with:
- Tondaj SL-814 (maybe other Tondaj gear?)
Where to buy:
- The cable ships with the Tondaj SL-814. It's unclear whether it can be bought standalone (without the sound level meter).
Programmable electronic loads
M133
The M133 (vendor unknown) cable ships with the ATTEN ATZ9711 programmable electronic load. It's unclear whether this is a custom cable for this device, or a generic RS232 isolator cable.
The 28-pin chip is a standard Prolific PL-2303HX serial-USB chip.
The other chip is presumably an optocoupler, but the vendor/model is unknown.