Device cables
This page contains information and teardown photos of various multimeter/datalogger/etc. PC connectivity cables and adapters.
See the README.devices file for connection types, as well as for details on automatic detection and mandatory or optional parameters.
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:
Device, front
PCB, front
PCB, back
Agilent U1173B
The Agilent U1173B is an IR-USB cable.
See Device cables/Info#Agilent_U1173B for more details (such as lsusb -v output) about the cable.
Hardware:
- Prolific PL2303TA
Case, opened, from inside
PCB, front
PCB, back
Agilent U1177A
The Agilent U1177A is an IR-Bluetooth interface module.
Notes: 9600 baud, 8n1 settings on the PC. The protocol (AT commands, documented in the Agilent U1177A configuration guide) 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... (Bluetooth classic, SPP aka RFCOMM)
- Macronix MX...
- PCB markings: U1177-26500, REV004, MSD-02
Works with:
- Agilent U1230/40/50/70 series
Where to buy:
It is often given away free as a promotion with one of the Agilent U12xxA meters, but can also be purchased separately:
Device, front
Device, back
Battery compartment
PCB, front
PCB, back
Agilent U5481A
The Agilent U5481A is an IR-USB cable.
Works with:
- Agilent U1700B series LCR meters, U1401A calibrator/meter
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.
Package, top
Package, bottom
Cable, top
Cable, bottom
CD-ROM, top
CD-ROM, bottom
CD-ROM, contents
Cable, opened
Housing 1
Housing 2
PCB, top
PCB, bottom
PCB, pinout
APPA / ISO-TECH IC-50
The IC50 is a USB PC interface cable for some APPA and ISO-TECH multimeters and thermometers.
Works with:
- APPA 70 series multimeters (and ISO-TECH IDM 70 series clone)
- APPA 50 series thermometer (and RS 50 series clone)
Where to buy:
- RS 704-8135
- The price is around 40 €
APPA / ISO-TECH IC-70
The IC70 is an RS232 PC interface cable for some APPA and ISO-TECH multimeters and thermometers.
Works with:
- APPA 70 series multimeters (and ISO-TECH IDM 70 series clone)
- APPA 50 series thermometer (and RS 50 series clone)
Where to buy:
- RS 460-9881
- The price is around 20 €
Cable
APPA IC-300
The IC-300U is an optical to RS232 serial interface cable for the APPA 500 Series based handheld multimeters as well as the APPA 200 Series based bench multimeters of various brands. It is usually included with the older models.
APPA IC-300U
The IC-300U is an optical to USB serial interface cable for the APPA 500 Series based handheld multimeters as well as the APPA 200 Series based bench multimeters of various brands. It is usually included with the newer models.
Optical data port of the APPA 500 Series
APPA IC-300U cable
Brymen BC-85X(-1)
Not compatible with BC-85Xa.
TODO.
Hardware:
- TODO.
Works with:
- Brymen BM857/BM859 (non-a versions)
Where to buy:
- Available from Greenlee as DMSC-9 (not DMSC-9U).
- TME (€26.82)
Brymen BR85X interface kit
Kit contents (software disc not shown)
BC-85X-1 DB9 connector
BC-85Xa DMM connector
Brymen BRUA-20X
Hardware:
- IR to DSub-9 cable, connecting the DMM to a COM port
- DSub-9 to USB converter (Prolific 2303 chip, USB CDC, regular COM port), and USB A-B cable to connect to a computer's USB port
Works with:
- Brymen BM20x and BM25x series
Where to buy:
Package, top
Package, side
Package contents
BUA-2303, front
BUA-2303, bottom
BC-20X, cable
BC-20X, attached
Brymen BRUA-85Xa kit
Kit provided by Brymen, contains
- Bs-Software on CD
- BC-85Xa cable with infrared and D-sub 9 connector ends
- BUA-2303 USB to serial converter (PL2303 converter, Sipex SP213 transceiver) and USB-A to USB-B cable
available at welectron, announced to work with the BM850s series
appears to be the same as the Extech SW-810a kit
kit contents, IR to RS232, RS232 to USB, USB cable, CDROM
box, front
box, side (list of content)
box, back (discusses adapter/converter interaction)
Brymen BC-85Xa
Not compatible with BC-85X.
TODO.
Hardware:
- TODO.
Works with:
- Brymen BM857a/BM859a, also tested with BM859s
- Extech MM570A/MM560A/MP530A/MP510A
Where to buy:
- Available from Extech in a kit with USB-to-serial converter and software disc, under the name SW-810a.
- Mouser (€65.99)
- TME (€60.60)
Extech SW-810a kit
This is a kit sold by Extech, containing the BC-85Xa RS232 cable, the BUA2303 USB-to-serial adapter, a USB cable, and a software disc.
Kit contents (software disc not shown)
BC-85Xa DB9 connector
BC-85Xa DMM connector
BUA2303 USB-to-serial converter
BUA2303 USB-to-serial converter, back
BUA2303 USB-to-serial converter, bottom
IR side, opened
IR side casing
IR side PCB, top
IR side PCB, botoom
BUA2303 PCB, top
BUA2303 PCB, bottom
Brymen BU-86X
See Brymen BU-86X/Info for more details (such as lsusb -v output).
Hardware:
- Cypress CY7C63743 enCoRe USB
Works with:
- Brymen BM867/BM869
Where to buy:
- TME (40 €)
Brymen BU-86X interface kit
Kit content (software disc not shown)
BC-86X USB connector
BC-86X DMM connector
Digitek DT4000ZC cable
The Digitek DT4000ZC (and the rebadged TekPower TP4000ZC) ship with this RS232 to 3.5mm stereo plug cable. The ring on the plug is left unconnected.
The cable works on the assumption that TX (pin 3) and DTR (pin 4) are at a fixed voltage and will not be toggled. TX should be below -3 V, and the resistor acts as a pull-down. DTR should be abouve 3V. The photodiode/phototransistor in the DMM will pull the RX pin above 3V when the IR diode is on.
Hardware:
- SMD resistor between TX and RX pins.
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:
Device, front
Device, back
Device, open
Device, open 2
Resistor
TekPower TP4000ZC photos:
Supplied RS-232 cable
RS-232 cable, disassembled
RS-232 cable, detail
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.
In the EEVblog forum a DIY cable for Fluke 289 was discussed: USB to IR with FT232R and LM393
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: No active components are on the PCB.
Pinout:
- black: pin 2 (RX)
- brown: pin 3 (TX)
- red: pin 7, 8 (RTS, CTS)
- orange: pin 1, 4, 6 (DCD, DTR, DSR)
- yellow: pin 5 (GND)
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)
Gossen Metrawatt
See Gossen Metrawatt page.
GreenLee DMSC-9U
TODO.
Hardware:
- TODO.
Works with:
- GreenLee DM-800 series, DML-430A
Where to buy:
- TODO.
Meterman 38XR RS232 cable
The Meterman 38SW is an optically isolated RS232 PC interface cable for the Meterman 38XR multimeter. The "38SW" name is also used to refer to the respective PC software for use with the serial cable. By all accounts this cable is probably the same as the Amprobe 38SW-A cable as Amprobe bought Meterman.
Works with
Metex 5-pin RS232 cable
This type of 5-pin RS232 cable is used in various Metex (and rebadged) multimeters.
The cable exists in two flavours, an older version with equal pin distance (can be inserted the wrong way) and a newer version with a gap between pins 3 and 4 (fits only one way).
Version 1
Hardware:
- No active components.
- 25-pin RS232 connector
Works with:
- Voltcraft M-3650CR, PeakTech 4380, many others.
Where to buy:
- The cable ships with the respective multimeter. It's unclear whether it can be bought standalone (without DMM).
25-pin RS-232 cable
DB-25F opened, wiring
Version 2
Hardware:
- No active components.
- 9-pin RS232 connector
Works with:
- MASTECH MAS345, Voltcraft M-3650CR (plug with equal pin distances!), RadioShack 22-168, Voltcraft M-3650D, many others.
Where to buy:
- The cable ships with the respective multimeter. It's unclear whether it can be bought standalone (without DMM).
Cable
Cable, connected
RS-232 cable
DMM connector
DMM connector, protective sheath removed
DB9 connector, opened
DB9 connections
DIY:
DIY adapter
Pin numbers (Metex DMM)
Cable pinout
| Metex-connector pin (male) | RS-232 25-pin female | RS-232 DE9-female pin | Signal (computer side) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | 5 | GND | |
| 2 | 2 | 3 | TX | |
| 3 | 4 | 7 | RTS | Used to power receiver in multimeter, must be OFF. |
| 4 | 20 | 4 | DTR | Used to power receiver in multimeter, must be ON. |
| 5 | 3 | 2 | RX |
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)
Cable
Cable, IR
Cable, open
PCB, front
PCB, back
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.
See Device cables/Info#UNI-T_UT-D04 for more details (such as lsusb -v output) about the cable.
Hardware (old version):
- Hoitek HE2325U
Hardware (new version):
Works with:
- UNI-T UT61B / UT61C / UT61D / UT61E, various other UNI-T DMMs
- Voltcraft VC-820 / VC-830 / VC-840, various other Voltcraft rebadges of UNI-T DMMs
- Tenma 72-7745 and various other Tenma/Farnell rebadges of UNI-T DMMs
Where to buy:
- Reichelt (€9.95)
- Conrad/Voltcraft (€25.95)
- Pinnesonne (€8.90)
- eBay, various sellers (€12.37)
Cable
Cable, IR
Attached cable
Opened 1
Opened 2
PCB, front
PCB, back
other cable, but only with different silkscreen (another batch?)
Cable
Cable, IR
Opened
PCB, front
PCB, back
Voltcraft sells rebranded, UNI-T made DMMs, and also ships with the same USB/HID cable, but with a Voltcraft logo/marking on it. It is likely that Voltcraft also shipped both the old and new version of the cable at some point.
Voltcraft cable
Voltcraft cable, IR
UNI-T UT-D07A
BLE adapter ("cable") for more recent UNI-T devices (UT-181A), mechanical fit with other devices, too (can be used anywhere instead of UT-D02, UT-D04, or UT-D09?)
PIC18LF25K22 and BL79BLETRMC2 (ISSC) chips inside, teardown in an EEVBlog forum post, including links to datasheets
The ISSC BLETR module is a "Bluetooth SMART" aka BLE peripheral, and currently is not supported by libsigrok's serial communication layer. There is ObjectiveC source code for Apple's mobile devices at https://github.com/ISSC/BLETR which might help add support to libsigrok.
TODO Need to determine the "initiation sequence", sending TX data from PC to device via adapter appears to work (device beeps when a request is sent). Getting RX data (BLE notifications) is yet to get done. Sniffing existing apps might help. Participation and feedback would be appreciated. Without it, progress will be stuck.
see Bluetooth
UNI-T UT-D09
mechanically compatible to UT-D02, UT-D04, and UT-D07 -- can be used with a wide range of UNI-T and compatible meters
bidirectional (TX as well as RX), CP2110 HID chip, supported by libsigrok's serial communication layer
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.
See Device cables/Info#V.26A_VA4000 for more details (such as lsusb -v output) about the cable.
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:
- V&A VA18B, V&A VA-38
Where to buy:
- Komerci (€6.50)
Old cable with Sunplus SPCP825 chip from a V&A VA18B:
USB cable
Cable, dismantled
PCB, top
PCB, bottom
New cable with Prolific PL2303HX from a V&A VA18B:
USB cable
USB cable PCB, front
USB cable PCB, back
Another cable shipped with a V&A VA40B (it has the same Prolific PL2303HX PCB as the V&A 18B above, but seem to have a thinner mechanical plug):
USB cable
USB cable, optical connector
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).
USB cable
USB cable, open
USB cable PCB, front
USB cable PCB, back
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 distributors sell the Colead SL-5868P sound level meter with a set of two cables: one 3.5mm jack to female DB9, and one male DB9 to USB, which has a Prolific PL-2303 chip in the DB9. This cable does not work; the device's serial port needs a 2.5mm jack.
A really bad idea
DB9 to USB, top
DB9 to USB, bottom
3.5mm jack to DB9, top
3.5mm jack to DB9, bottom
The SL-5868P is also available with bluetooth connectivity instead of serial.
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).
Cable
Cable, connector
Cable, open
Cable, open 2
PCB, top
PCB, bottom
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.
In the EEVblog forum DIY cables for M97 and compatible loads were discussed: M97 cable with FT232R and ADUM2402 isolator
Scales
KERN EW 6200-2NM cable
The KERN EW 6200-2NM weighing scale ships with this RS232 interface cable.
Hardware:
- No active components
- 9-pin RS232 connector
Works with:
- KERN EW 6200-2NM (and likely other scales from the KERN scale series)
Where to buy:
- The cable ships with the KERN EW 6200-2NM. It's unclear whether it can be bought standalone (without the scale).
Cable
