Overview
The SC32B Optically Isolated Interface is used to connect the CS I/O port on a datalogger 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 datalogger. It also isolates the electrical system of the computer from the datalogger, thereby protecting against ground loop, normal static discharge, and noise.
Read MoreBenefits and Features
- 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
Images
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.
Specifications
| Baud Rates Supported | Up to 115 kbps |
| Power | Drawn from the serial ports of the PC and data logger |
| Typical Current Drain |
|
| 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) |
Compatibility
Note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible or incompatible products.
Dataloggers
| Product | Compatible | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 21X (retired) | ||
| CR10 (retired) | ||
| CR1000 (retired) | ||
| CR1000X | ||
| 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
An interface such as the SC32B is required for direct communications between a PC and data loggers that only have a CS I/O port. For our CR800, CR850, and CR1000 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.
Documents
Brochures
Compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
Number of FAQs related to SC32B: 14
Expand AllCollapse All
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
Because the SC-USB includes a processor, it costs more to manufacture than the SC32B.
-
This is not necessarily an error associated with the SC32B. The message means that an attempt to check or set the clock on a mixed-array data logger (CR10, CR21X, CR7X, CR10X, CR510, and CR23X) failed. There could be several reasons for this error.
-
The combination of the USB to serial (17394) and the SC32B is basically the same as the SC-USB. Both options enable communication between a computer and a data logger with a CS I/O port.