Introduction
This manual provides comprehensive instructions for the Waveshare Industrial USB to RS485 Converter. This device is designed for stable and reliable bidirectional communication, making it suitable for industrial control equipment and applications requiring high communication performance. It features original FT232RL and SP485EEN chips, along with robust protection circuits.
Caractéristiques principales
- Original FT232RL and SP485EEN Chips: Ensures stable, fast communication and better compatibility.
- TVS (vol transitoiretage Suppressor): Effectively suppresses surge voltage et transitoire transitoire voltage, providing lightning-proof and anti-electrostatic protection.
- Resettable Fuse and Protection Diodes: Guarantees stable current/voltage outputs, offers over-current/over-voltage protection, and improves shock resistance.
- Longue distance de transmission : Supports RS485 transmission up to 1.2km and USB up to 5 meters, with a reliable speed of 300-921600bps.
- Prise en charge multisystème : Compatible with Linux, Android, WinCE, Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP, and Mac operating systems.
- Indicateurs LED : Three LEDs (PWR, TXD, RXD) for indicating power and transceiver status.
Produit terminéview
The Waveshare Industrial USB to RS485 Converter is a compact and robust device designed for reliable serial communication. Below are its main components and their functions.

Image: Surview of the USB to RS485 converter, highlighting its industrial-grade design, bidirectional transmission, 600W lightning/anti-surge protection, 1.2km RS485 transmission distance, and TVS (Transient Voltage Suppresseur).
Composants internes

Image: Interne détaillé view of the converter, showing the FT232RL chip, SP485EEN chip, TVS Protection Circuit, Resettable Fuse, ESD Protection Circuit, and 120R Terminal Resistor.
Indicateurs LED

Image: The converter showing its three LED indicators (PWR, TXD, RXD) and their functions. PWR lights up red when power is connected. TXD blinks red during data transmission. RXD blinks red during data reception. The image also includes outline dimensions in millimeters.
- PWR (Puissance): Red LED, indicates power connection.
- TXD (Transmit Data): Red LED, blinks when data is being transmitted from the USB port.
- RXD (Receive Data): Red LED, blinks when data is being received by the device.
Installation et connexion
Installation du pilote
The Waveshare USB to RS485 Converter utilizes the FT232RL chip, which typically requires a driver for proper operation on some systems. While many modern operating systems may install a generic driver automatically, it is recommended to install the official FTDI drivers for optimal performance and compatibility.
- Télécharger les pilotes : Visit the official FTDI website (ftdichip.com/drivers/) to download the latest VCP (Virtual COM Port) drivers compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, WinCE).
- Installer les pilotes : Follow the installation instructions provided by FTDI for your specific operating system.
- Connecter l'appareil : Plug the USB end of the converter into an available USB port on your computer.
- Vérifier l'installation : After installation, check your device manager (Windows) or equivalent system utility to ensure the converter is recognized as a Virtual COM Port.
Câblage RS485
The converter provides a screw terminal block for RS485 connections. Ensure correct polarity for communication.
- A+ : Connect to the A+ terminal of your RS485 device.
- B- : Connect to the B- terminal of your RS485 device.
- GND : Connect to the Ground terminal of your RS485 device (optional, but recommended for stable communication over longer distances or in noisy environments).

Image: Un example setup showing two USB to RS485 converters connected for testing. One converter is connected to a host PC via USB, and its A+ and B- terminals are wired to the A+ and B- terminals of a second converter, demonstrating a basic RS485 communication link.
Mode d'emploi
Once the drivers are installed and the device is connected, you can use serial communication software to interact with your RS485 devices.
- Identifier le port COM : In your computer's Device Manager (Windows) or equivalent, identify the assigned COM port number for the "USB Serial Port" (e.g., COM3, COM4).
- Open Serial Terminal Software: Use any standard serial terminal software (e.g., PuTTY, RealTerm, Tera Term, or custom applications) to open the identified COM port.
- Configurer les paramètres : Configure the serial port settings to match your RS485 device's requirements. Common settings include:
- Taux de bauds: 300-921600bps (e.g., 9600, 19200, 115200)
- Bits de données : 8
- Parité: Aucun
- Bits d'arrêt: 1
- Contrôle de flux : Aucun
- Initier la communication : Send and receive data as per your RS485 device's protocol. Observe the TXD and RXD LEDs on the converter to confirm data transmission and reception.
Compatibilité multisystème

Image: A visual representation of the multi-system support, showing logos for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android operating systems, indicating broad compatibility.
This converter supports a wide range of operating systems, including Mac, Linux, Android, WinCE, and various Windows versions (11/10/8.1/8/7/XP). Driver installation procedures may vary slightly between operating systems.
Spécifications techniques

Image: A table detailing the product parameters, including product type, baudrate, host port, device port, USB specifications (operating voltage, connector, protection, transmission distance), RS485 specifications (connector, pins, direction control, protection, transmission distance, transmission mode), LED indicators, operating environment, and operating system support.
| Fonctionnalité | Description |
|---|---|
| Type de produit | Industrial USB to RS485 Converter |
| Port hôte | USB |
| Port du périphérique | RS485 |
| Baudrate | 300bps ~ 921600bps |
| Vol d'exploitationtage | 5V |
| Connecteur USB | USB-A |
| Protection USB | Fusible à réarmement automatique de 200 mA, protection contre les décharges électrostatiques |
| USB Transmission Distance | Environ 5 m |
| Connecteur RS485 | Borne à vis |
| Broches RS485 | A+, B-, GND |
| RS485 Direction Control | Hardware automatic control |
| Protection RS485 | 600W lightningproof and surge-suppress, 15KV ESD protection (onboard 120R balancing resistor) |
| RS485 Transmission Distance | About 1.2km (low rate) |
| RS485 Transmission Mode | Point-to-multipoints (up to 32 nodes, repeaters recommended for 16+ nodes) |
| Température de fonctionnement | -15°C ~ 70°C |
| Humidité de fonctionnement | 5% d'humidité relative à 95% d'humidité relative |
| Systèmes d'exploitation pris en charge | Mac, Linux, Android, WinCE, Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP |
Dimensions

Image: A detailed diagram showing the physical dimensions of the USB to RS485 converter in millimeters.
Dépannage
- Appareil non reconnu:
- Ensure FTDI drivers are correctly installed. Refer to the "Driver Installation" section.
- Essayez de vous connecter à un autre port USB de votre ordinateur.
- Test with a different USB cable if using an extension.
- No Data Transmission/Reception (LEDs not blinking):
- Verify RS485 wiring: Ensure A+ is connected to A+ and B- to B-. Reversed polarity is a common issue.
- Check serial port settings (baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits) in your software to match the RS485 device.
- Confirm the RS485 device is powered on and functioning correctly.
- Ensure only one master device is attempting to communicate on the RS485 bus at a time.
- Communication intermittente :
- Check for loose wiring connections at the screw terminal.
- Consider adding a GND connection if not already used, especially over longer distances.
- Ensure the RS485 bus is properly terminated if required by your setup (the converter has an onboard 120R balancing resistor, but external termination might be needed for the bus itself).
- Reduce cable length or use shielded cables in noisy environments.
- Driver Issues on Windows 11/10:
- Sometimes Windows Update might overwrite the official FTDI driver with a generic one. Reinstall the official FTDI VCP drivers from the FTDI website.
Entretien
- Nettoyage: Veillez à ce que l'appareil reste propre et exempt de poussière. Utilisez un chiffon doux et sec pour le nettoyer. Évitez les nettoyants liquides.
- Stockage: Store the converter in a dry, cool environment away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- Manutention: Handle the device with care to prevent physical damage to the USB connector or screw terminals.
- Mises à jour du micrologiciel : This device typically does not require user-updatable firmware. Ensure your operating system drivers are up to date for best performance.
Garantie et assistance
For warranty information and technical support, please refer to the Waveshare official webConsultez le site web ou contactez votre point de vente. Conservez votre reçu d'achat pour toute réclamation au titre de la garantie.





