SC32B Optically Isolated RS-232 Interface

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Serial Communications / SC32B

SC32B Optically Isolated RS-232 Interface

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Detailed Description
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Specifications
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Overview

The SC32B Optically Isolated Interface is used to connect the CS I/O port on a data logger with the RS-232 port on a PC. This interface converts the RS-232 voltage levels of the computer to the CMOS levels of the data logger. It also isolates the electrical system of the computer from the data logger, thereby protecting against ground loop, normal static discharge, and noise.

Connects a PC to the CS I/O port of a data logger
Helps protect components from electrical damage
No power source needed—powered by data logger and PC
Ships with cables needed for most uses
Baud rates up to 115 kbps supported

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SC32B with included 10873 and SC12 cables (other items sold separately)

Similar Products

SC929 Interface Cable, CS I/O to RS-232

17394 Converter, USB to DB9 Pin (Male) RS-232

Detailed Description

The SC32B, or another interface, is required for direct communications between a PC and a CR510, CR10X, or CR7 datalogger. For our CR800, CR850, CR1000, and CR1000X dataloggers, the SC32B is often used to provide optical isolation between the data logger and PC. Although the on-board RS-232 port of the CR3000, CR5000, or CR9000X dataloggers is isolated, the SC32B can be interfaced with their CS I/O port when a second RS-232 port is required in the application.

The SC32B is shipped with an SC12 (2 ft) cable for attachment to the data logger and a 10873 (6 ft) cable for attachment to the PC. Alternatively, an SC12R-6 (6 ft) cable (purchased separately) can be used instead of the standard SC12 when a longer cable is needed.

The SC32B can support RS-232 cable lengths of up to 50 feet; longer cable lengths are not recommended. The longer cable should be on the data logger side of the interface (CMOS logic levels) as opposed to the RS-232 side, which is typically more sensitive to drops in signal voltage levels.

Compatibility

Note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible or incompatible products.

Data Loggers

Product	Compatible	Note
21X (retired)
CR10 (retired)
CR1000 (retired)
CR1000X (retired)
CR10X (retired)
CR200X (retired)
CR206X (retired)
CR211X (retired)
CR216X (retired)
CR23X (retired)
CR295X (retired)
CR3000 (retired)
CR500 (retired)
CR5000 (retired)
CR510 (retired)
CR6
CR800 (retired)
CR850 (retired)
CR9000 (retired)		The CR9000 requires a CR9080 PAM module.
CR9000X (retired)

Additional Compatibility Information

Data Logger Considerations

The SC325B is compatible with data loggers that have a CS I/O port.

Specifications

Baud Rates Supported	Up to 115 kbps
Power	Drawn from the serial ports of the PC and data logger
Typical Current Drain	< 200 µA (quiescent) ~15 mA (active)
Connections	9-pin RS-232 socket (female) port configured as DCE; 9-pin pin (male) port
Operating Temperature Range	-25° to +50°C
Dimensions	4.1 x 2.3 x 7.6 cm (1.6 x 0.9 x 3.0 in.)
Weight	45.4 g (1.6 oz)

Documents

Brochures

SC32B Datalogger to RS-232 Interface

Manuals

SC32B Optically Isolated RS-232 Interface

Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

Number of FAQs related to SC32B: 14

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Why is a combination SC32B and 17934 less expensive than the SC-USB?

Because the SC-USB includes a processor, it costs more to manufacture than the SC32B.
Does the SC32B come with an RS-232 cable?

Yes. It ships with both the SC12 and 10873 serial cables. Usually, the SC12 is connected to the data logger, and the 10873 is connected to the computer.
Can the SC32B be used with an SDC device?

No. The SC32B cannot be used at the same time as an SDC device. The SC32B is a modem-enabled device and is not capable of concurrent communication.
Did the SC32B replace the SC32A?

Yes.
Why is it important for the SC32B to be optically isolated?

Non-isolated interfaces (that is, connection to the RS-232 port with a standard serial cable connection) can cause ground offset errors in analog measurements using a system connected to a PC and powered by an ac source. The SC32B provides isolation that may be important when recording low-level, single-ended voltage measurements.
Should an SC32B be installed between the RS-232 port on a data logger and the port on a desktop PC to prevent ground loop issues?
No, because it would not work. The SC32B is used to do the following:
- Convert data logger logic levels (on the CS I/O port) to RS-232 levels
- Optically isolate the data logger from the RS-232 peripheral
What is the difference between the SC32A and the SC32B?
There are several differences:
- The SC32A requires a 25-pin serial cable between the computer and interface. The SC32B, on the other hand, has DB9 connectors for both the data logger and computer side.
- The SC32B cannot be configured to pass serial printer or computer data.
For comparisons, see the SC32A product page and the SC32B product page.

How do the 17934, the SC32B, the SC929, and the SC-USB compare?

If a computer does not have any serial ports, how can software (such as LoggerNet, PC400, PC200W, or Device Configuration Utility) talk to the data logger?
Many of our more recent data loggers have a Micro B USB port. Simply use a Type A to Micro B, male-to-male cable. Although any USB cable, with the correct connectors and drivers, should work, there is a better chance of success using a cable supplied by Campbell Scientific.

For data loggers with an RS-232 port, only a serial or USB to RS-232 cable (sometimes called a USB-to-serial-adapter cable) is needed. Although any USB to RS-232 cable should work with the appropriate drivers, there is a better chance of success using the USB to RS-232 cables sold by Campbell Scientific.

There are several options for data loggers that don’t have an RS-232 port but have a CSI/O port:
1. Use the SC-USB connector/interface instead of the SC32B.
2. Use the SC32B with a 17394, USB-to-9-pin male RS-232 cable.
3. Use a user-supplied USB interface with the SC32B.
For data loggers with a CSI/O and RS-232 or USB port, it is not necessary to use the SC32B unless there is another device connected to the RS-232 port or there are concerns about low-level noise from a permanently connected, ac-powered computer.
How do the SC929 and SC32B compare?
The SC929 has been functionally replaced by the SC32B. While the SC929 is still available, the SC32B has increased capability at a reduced cost. See the table for a comparison:

SC929

SC32B

Optically Isolated

No

Yes

Maximum Baud

9600

115200

Current Draw

8 mA

Active < 200 µA

Cables are an additional comparison point for these two products:
- The SC929 cable directly connects the PC to the data logger’s CS I/O port.
- The SC32B interface typically uses the 10873 serial cable to connect to the PC and the SC12 cable to connect to the CS I/O port. Both of these cables are shipped with the SC32B.

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Articles and Press Releases

Blog Articles

Successfully Connect Your Retired Data Logger to a PC
12-19-2018 Author: Jacob Davis

Listed Under

Replacement Part for the following products:

CR21 - Micrologger®

This Product Replaced

SC32A

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	17394 USB-serial cable	SC32B	SC929	SC-USB
Useful for Connecting	PC USB port to data logger RS- 232 port	Data logger CS I/O port to laptop COM port	Data logger CS I/O port to laptop COM port	Data logger CS I/O port to PC USB port
Connectors	USB A male – 9-pin male	9-pin male – 9-pin female	9-pin male – 9-pin female	USB B female – 9-pin male
Length	6 ft	3 in.	6 ft	1.6 in.
Power Consumption	N/A	Active <200 a="" --200--="">	8 mA continuous	Active <20 ma="" --20--="">
Optically Isolated	No	Yes	No	Yes
Operating Temperature	N/A	-25° to +50°C	-25° to +50°C	-25° to +50°C
Maximum Data Transfer Rate	1 Mbps USB	115200 bps	9600 bps	1 Mbps USB