Standard RS232 Cables

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Standard RS232 Cables

Classic RS232 Connections

 

When connecting two serial devices, different cable types must be used, depending on the characteristics of the serial device and the type of communication used.

 

Overview of RS232 SUB D9 (D-Sub DB9) interconnections

 

serial device 1

serial device 2

flow control (handshaking)

recommended cable

DTE (Data Terminal Equipment)

DTE

no handshake signals

simple null modem cable

DTE

DTE

DTE/DCE compatible hardware flow control

null modem cable with partial handshaking


DCE (Data Communications Equipment)

no handshake signals

simple straight cable

DTE

DCE

hardware flow control

full straight cable

DCE

DCE

no handshake signals

simple null modem cable, but with SUB D9 male connectors on both ends

DCE

DCE

hardware flow control

null modem cable with partial handshaking but with SUB D9 male connectors on both ends

 

NOTE: A great alternative to make the correct interconnection between various DTE and DCE type devices is to use the Yost Serial Device Wiring Standard approach by Dave Yost.

 

 

SUB D9 Simple Straight Cable

 

Area of Application: DTE-DCE Communication where no additional handshake signals are used.

 

DL-3LineCable

 

SUB D9 Full Straight Cable

 

Area of Application: DTE-DCE Communication with hardware flow control using additional handshake signals.

 

 

DL-1-1_CableFullyAssigned

 

SUB D9 Simple Null Modem Cable without Handshaking

 

Area of Application: DTE-DTE Communication where no additional handshake signals are used.

 

DL-SimpleNullModemCable

 

 

SUB D9 Null Modem Cable with Full Handshaking

 

Area of Application: DTE-DTE Communication with DTE/DCE compatible hardware flow control. Works also when no handshake signals are used.

 

DL-FullNullmodemCable