TechStuffRS232Cables,WiringandPinouts

BrieftutorialandpinoutsforRS232,RS422/485,T1/E1andV.35.Ifyouwanttoknow
moreaboutRS232signalsthenthispagemayhelpbutyoumayalsoneedtoliedown
inadarkenedroomafterwards.
Contents
DTE(PC)andDCE(Modem)
DB9andDB25MaleandFemalePinNumbering
RS232onDB25Pinout(RS232C)
RS232onDB9Pinout(TIA574)
RS232onRJ45(RS232DTIA561)
RS232DB25NULLModemPinout
RS232DB9NULLModemPinout
RS232DB9andDB25LoopbackPinout
RS232DB9NULLModemPinoutusingCat5(e)
RS232DB9toDB25Pinout
RS232DB9toDB25NULLModemPinout
RS422,423and485TIA/RS530AusingDB25)
RS422and485usingDB9
V.35onaDB25
DBxDesignationsforDtypesubminiatureconnectors
T1/E1Pinout(RJ48C)
RS232standards(TIA232)aredefinedbyTIA(TelecommunicationsIndustry
Association).RS232definesboththephysicalandelectricalcharacteristicsofthe
interface.RS232ispracticallyidenticaltoITUV.24(signaldescriptionandnames)and
V.28(electrical).RS232isanActiveLOWvoltagedriveninterfaceandoperatesat+12V
to12Vwhere:
Signal=0(LOW)>+3.0V(SPACE)
Signal=1(HIGH)<3.0V(MARK)
Notes:
1. Signalvoltagesintherange>3.0Vto+3.0Vareregardedasbeinginthe'dead
area'(indeterminatevalue)andallowforabsorptionofnoise.Formoreontheuse
ofsignalsandotherheavystuff.
2. ThepowerlevelonRS232pinsisdefinedbyTIAforshortcircuitprotectiontobe
100mA.MostRS232driverswillprovidelowershortcircuitprotection(especially
forlaptops).Amaxof50mAPERPINmaybeavailablebutthedatasheetforthe
specificinterface/chipshouldbeconsultedbeforecommitingtoexternallypowered
designs.
3. WereceivedanemailrecentlypointingoutsomeissueswithNULLmodemcables.
Thepinoutsshownbelowwillgenerallywork.However,therearemany
permutationsofsignalsetsthatcanbeusedbyeitherendofaconnectionand
theymaynotbeSYMMETRIC.Oneendmayexpectsomething(asignal)thatthe
otherendcannotgenerate.ThistypicallyhappenswithCTS/RTS(andperhaps

DCD)andDTR/DSR.Ifyoususpectthisisthecasethenunfortunatelyyouneedto
understandtheinterfaceandmayhaveto'spoof'(artificallycreate)certain
signals.Oursignalprimerpagemayhelpyou.Finally,ifyouarehavingserious
problems,splashoutonwhatisfrequentlycalleda'lightbox'orsomeother
devicethatwillshowyouwhichsignalsarebeingactivated.
4. SerialcommunicationsequipmentmaybeeitheraDTE(DataTerminalEquipment
aterminalorPC)oraDCE(DataCommunicationsEquipmentforexample,a
modem)andhaveadirectiondependingonthetype.Allthediagramsbelow
definetheinterfacefromtheDTEperspective.
5. ThetermsDataCarrierDetect(DCD)andReceivedLineSignalDetect(RLSD)are
oneandthesame.WeuseDCDthroughout'coswethinkit'smorecommon.
6. WhilethetermRS232isalmostuniversallyusedthesedaysforserial/modem
connections,outsideofNorthAmericaitisquitecommontocomeacrosstheITU
designationsV.24/V.28whendescribingserial/modemcommunications.Forall
practicalpurposesRS232andV.24/V.28areidentical.
7. LikemostfolksweusethetermDB9whichiswidelybuterroneouslycoinedto
describea9pinserialconnector.Wegotanemailpointingouttheerrorofour
ways(hint:itisreallyaDE9P).So,ifyouwanttoamazeyourfriendsoverthe
dinnertable,youcanreadmoreandusethetechnicallycorrecttermsinthe
future.WhilewegetawaywithDB9mostofthetime(withcommonorgarden
PCs),sometimesitisessentialtoknowEXACTLYwhatconnectortypeyouare
talkingabout.And,followingarecentemailrequest,wediscoveredthatthethread
onRS232(DB9and25)receptaclesisUNC440.
8. RS232EisnormallydefinedtobeusedwithaDB25connector,butdoeshavea
26pin(amuchsmaller)alternative.Wesuggestthatifyoucomeacrossoneof
thesethatyoudothedecentthinguseanexpletive.Alternatively,withyour
luck,youcouldconsiderbuyingalotteryticket.
9. WehavereceivedanumberofemailsaskinghowtowireDB9'susingcat5(e)/cat
6cable.WeguessthereisalotofLANcablelyingaroundthesedays(andits
cheap)sofolksnaturallywanttouseit.Wehaveaddedanullmodemonlysection
tocoverthiswiring.Thereisabsolutelynostandardtocoverthisformofwiring.
Thissectionissimplyofferedasoneofmanypossiblewaystodoit.Whileweare
onthetopicofwiring,RS232doesnotdefineacablestandardbutthismayhelpin
choosingasuitablecable.
10. WegotanemailaskingaboutTTY20macurrentloopinterfaces.Thiswasanold
methodusedtoconnectteletypedevicesandusescurrent(normally20mabut
sometimes60ma)toindicatemarkandspace.ATTYsystemCANNOTbe
connectedtoRS232(whichisavoltagedriveninterface)andhasnostandard.
Youwillneedtogetthemanufacturer'sspecificationsandstartreading!
11. RS232isprobablythemostwidelyknownserialstandardbecauseofitsusein
PCs.Itusesunbalancedcommunications(singleTX/RX/CTS/RTSconnectors)and
hencehasbothspeedlimitationsandissusceptibletonoiseinterference.RS422
orRS485areincreasinglycommonbecausetheyusebalancedcommunication
(twoconnectorsformostsignals)andprovidehigherspeeds(upto10mbit/s)and
aresignificantlymorerobustinelectricallynoisyenvironmentssuchas
automotive,military,telecommunicationsandmarine.

12. LikemostpeoplewecontinuetousethetermRS,asinRS232,RS422,etc.Many
moonsagothestandardizationeffortwastakenoverbyEIA/TIA(sometimes
writtenasTIA/EIA).NowtheEIAnolongerexists(asofFeb11th,2011)andTIA
istheonlymanleftstanding.Consequently,youwilloccasionallyseereferences
toTIA232orTIA574etc.AnythingwithaTIAdesignationisfunctionallyidentical
tothesamenumberwithanRSdesignation,thus,TIA232=RS232.Wewill
continuetousetheRStermsimplybecausewethinkitisstillmorewidelyused
andbecauseolddog,newtricks.....

DTE(PC)andDCE(Modem)
Inserialcommunicationstheterminalend(PC)iscalledtheDataTerminalEquipment
(DTE)andthemodemendiscalledtheDataCommunicationsEquipment(DCE)asshown
inthediagrambelow.

SerialCommunicationswithamodem
RS232signalshaveadirection(inorout)dependingonwhethertheyarewithrespect
toaDTEoraDCE.Inallthepinoutdiagramsbelowthesignaldirectioniswithrespect
totheDTE(PC)end.

NULLModemConnections
WhenPCsareconnectedbacktobackeachendisactingasaDTE(thereisnoDCEin
thiscase)andconsequentlycertainsignalsmayhavetobeloopedintheconnectionto
satisfyanyinputsignalrequirement.ThisiscalledaNULL(no)modemconfiguration.
Forexample,whentheDTEraisesRequesttoSend(RTS)ittypicallyexpectsClearto
Send(CTS)fromtheDCE.SincethereisnoDCEtoraiseCTS,theoutgoingRTSsignalis
loopedintheNULLmodemcabletotheincomingCTStosatisfytheDTE'sneedforthis
signal.Thisisshowninthediagrambelow.

SerialCommunicationswithaNULLmodemconfiguration

DB9andDB25MaleandFemalePinNumbering

Thesediagramsshowthemale(greybackground)andfemale(blackbackground)pin
numberingforDB9andDB25subminiatureconnectors.GenerallyPin1ismarkedon
thefrontoftheconnectorrightnexttothepinthoughyoumayneedamagnifying
glasstoreadit.Somemanufacturersmarkeachpinnumberontheplastichousingat
therearoftheconnector.Themaleconnectorhasthepinsstickingout!
DB25MaleandFemale

DB25:Viewlookingintomaleconnector

DB25:Viewlookingintofemaleconnector
DB9MaleandFemale

DB9:Viewlookingintomaleconnector

DB9:Viewlookingintofemaleconnector

RS232onDB25(RS232C)
TheuseofeachpinincludingmethodsforspoofingsignalsisdescribedinourSignal/pin
primer.TheRS232DB25connectoriscapableofsupportingtwoseparateconnections
eachwithitsownoptionalclockwhenusedinSynchronousmodeorBitSynchronous
mode.IfyouareusingtheinterfacepurelyforAsynchronouscommunicationsthenyou
onlyneedthosemarkedwith(ASYNC)beloworyoucanuseevenfewer(ifyou
understandwhatishappening).ThecolumnmarkedDirshowsthesignaldirectionwith
respecttotheDTE.
Note:ThisisNOTthesameastheDB25ParallelportonaPC.
PinNo.

Name

Dir

Notes/Description

Protective/shieldedground

TD

OUT

TransmitData(a.k.aTxD,Tx)(ASYNC)

RD

IN

ReceiveData(a.k.aRxD,Rx)(ASYNC)

RTS

OUT

RequestToSend(ASYNC)

CTS

IN

ClearToSend(ASYNC)

DSR

IN

DataSetReady(ASYNC)

SGND

SignalGround

CD

IN

CarrierDetect(a.k.aDCD).

Reservedfordatasettesting.

10

Reservedfordatasettesting.

11

Unassigned

12

SDCD

IN

SecondaryCarrierDetect.Onlyneededifsecondchannelbeingused.

13

SCTS

IN

SecondaryCleartosend.Onlyneededifsecondchannelbeingused.

14

STD

OUT

SecondaryTransmitData.Onlyneededifsecondchannelbeingused.

15

DB

OUT

TransmitClock(a.k.aTCLK,TxCLK).Synchronoususeonly.

16

SRD

IN

SecondaryReceiveData.Onlyneededifsecondchannelbeingused.

17

DD

IN

ReceiveClock(a.k.a.RCLK).Synchronoususeonly.

18

LL

LocalLoopback

19

SRTS

OUT

SecondaryRequesttoSend.Onlyneededifsecondchannelbeingused.

20

DTR

OUT

DataTerminalReady.(ASYNC)

21

RL/SQ

SignalQualityDetector/Remoteloopback

22

RI

IN

RingIndicator.DCE(Modem)raiseswhenincomingcalldetectedusedfor
autoanswerapplications.

23

CH/CI

OUT

SignalRateselector.

24

DA

AuxiliaryClock(a.k.a.ACLK).SecondaryChannelonly.

25

Unassigned

NOTE:Leaveallpinsnotspecifiedaboveunconnected.

viewlookingintomaleconnector
(maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)

RS232onDB9(EIA/TIA574)
SignalfunctionsaredescribedindetailinourSignal/pinprimer.ThecolumnmarkedDir
showsthesignaldirectionwithrespecttotheDTE.
PinNo.

Name

Dir

Notes/Description

DCD

IN

DataCarrierDetect.RaisedbyDCEwhenmodemsynchronized.

RD

IN

ReceiveData(a.k.aRxD,Rx).ArrivingdatafromDCE.

TD

OUT

TransmitData(a.k.aTxD,Tx).SendingdatafromDTE.

DTR

OUT

DataTerminalReady.RaisedbyDTEwhenpoweredon.Inautoanswer
moderaisedonlywhenRIarrivesfromDCE.

SGND

Ground

DSR

IN

DataSetReady.RaisedbyDCEtoindicateready.

RTS

OUT

RequestToSend.RaisedbyDTEwhenitwishestosend.ExpectsCTSfrom
DCE.

CTS

IN

ClearToSend.RaisedbyDCEinresponsetoRTSfromDTE.

RI

IN

RingIndicator.Setwhenincomingringdetectedusedforautoanswer
application.DTEraisedDTRtoanswer.

DB9(EIA/TIA574):Viewlookingintomaleconnector
(maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)

RS232onRJ45(RS232D)
MoreproperlyEIA/TIA561.Usewhenconnectingtoorfromaserialportwitha8
positionModularJack(RJ45).IfyouarecrossconnectingfromaDB9oraDB25usethe
signalnamestocrossconnecttheappropriatepins.Toillustratetheprocessthe
equivalentpinsusedforcrossconnectingaDB9connectorsignalsareshown(seeDB9
pinoutabove).
Signal/pinprimer
RJ45Pin
No.

Name

DB9Cross Notes/Description
Connect

DSR/RI

6,9

DatasetReady/ringindicator

DCD

DataCarrierDetect

DTR

DataTerminalReady

SGND

SignalGround

RD

ReceiveData

TD

TransmitData

CTS

CleartoSend

RTS

RequesttoSend

Note:Pin1isamultifunctionpinsharingDSR(DataSetReady)andRI(Ring
Indicator).Thismeansitisimpossibletodifferentiatebetweenaincomingringsignal
(RI)andwhenthemodemhasfinallyconnectedandsynchedup(DSR).Withlocal(null
modemconnections)orifthemodemisruninautoanswermodethisisnotnormallya
problem.IfusedwithamodemandtheDTE(thecomputerend)wantstocontrolthe
connectiontheproblemismorereal.DSRwouldnormallyindicatethe'connectedand
synchedup'statefollowingDTRfromtheDTEwhereasRIsimplyindicatesaring
voltageispresentonthelineandwouldnormallybethetriggerfortheDTEtoraiseDTR
ifitwantstoacceptthecall.DCDwillindicatethatacarrierhasbeenreceivedbutdoes
notindicatesynchronizationofbothends.InmostcaseshoweverCTS(ClearToSend)in
responsetoRTS(RequestToSend)willnotnormallybereturneduntilanendtoend
connectionisavailable(equivalenttotheDSRstate).

RJ45MaleConnectorPinNumbering

RS232DB25NULLModemPinout
Usewhenconnectingtwosystems(e.g.PCs)viatheirDB25interfaceswithoutamodem
(i.e.backtoback).SeethefullsignalnamesintheDB25sections.
IfthispinoutdoesnotworkforyouthenyoucouldtryourSignal/pinprimerbecause
youmayneedtoSPOOFconnections.
Note:ThisDB25isNOTthesameastheDB25ParallelportonaPCwhichisdefined
here.
DB25

Signal

DB25

Signal

RD

TD

TD

RD

20

DTR

6,8

DSR,DCD

6,8

DSR,DCD

20

DTR

RTS

CTS

CTS

RTS

SGND

SGND

22

RI

22

RI

DB25:Viewlookingintomaleconnector
(maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)

NOTE:
1. Leaveallpinsnotspecifiedaboveunconnected.
2. WehavereceivedemailsuggestingthattheabovepinoutlookslikeDTRfromone
sideisdrivingintoDSR/DCDontheothersidenotnormallyahealthysituation.
TheemailsmissthepointthatsincethisisaNULLmodemconnectionbothends
areDTEs.ThetwopeerDTE'streatDSR/DCDsignalsasRX(INPUT)only.The
INPUTDSR/DCDononesideiscreatedbycrossconnectingtheOUTPUTDTR
signalfortheotherpeer.

RS232DB9NULLModemPinout
Usewhenconnectingtwosystems,forexampletwoPCs,viatheirDB9interfaces
withoutamodem.TypicallycalledabacktobackorNULLmodemconnection.Seethe
fullsignalnamesintheDB9section.
IfthispinoutdoesnotworkforyouthenyoucouldtryourSignal/pinprimerbecause
youmayneedtoSPOOFconnections.
PC1Peer

PC2Peer

DB9
Pin

Signal

DB9
Pin

Signal

RD

TD

TD

RD

DTR

6,1

DSR,DCD

6,1

DSR,DCD

DTR

RTS

CTS

CTS

RTS

SGND

SGND

RI

RI

DB9TIA/EIA574:Viewlookingintomaleconnector
(maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)
NOTE:

1. WehavereceivedemailsuggestingthattheabovepinoutlookslikeDTRfromone
sideisdrivingintoDSR/DCDontheothersidenotnormallyahealthysituation.
TheemailsmissthepointthatsincethisisaNULLmodemconnectionbothends
areDTEs.ThetwopeerDTE'streatDSR/DCDsignalsasRX(INPUT)only.The
INPUTDSR/DCDononesideiscreatedbycrossconnectingtheOUTPUTDTR
signalfortheotherpeer.

RS232DB9andDB25LoopbackPinout
LoopbackisamethodoftestingtheRS232connectorandinterfacecircuitrytoensureit
isfunctioningcorrectly,thatis,inlayman'sjargonitain'tbroke!Ifcommunication
failstooccurbetweentwomachinesthequestionthatimmediatelyarisesiswhichend
isbroken?Intheworstcasebothendscouldevenbebrokeninwhichcaseritualsuicide
maybethebestsolution.Loopbackworksbytestingeachendoftheconnection
independently.DataissentandreceivedonthesameRS232connectorwhichmaybe
eitherDB9orDB25.Thetestnormallyconsistsofusingsomeprogramtotransmitdata.
Theprogramthencheckstoensureexactlythesamedatawasreceived.Loopback
testinggivesyouabinaryresultitworks,inwhichcasetheendundertestisgood,or
itdoesnot,inwhichcasetheendundertestisbroken.PinoutsareshownforbothDB9
andDB25.TheloopbackisnormallyconstructedintheDBshellorusingadiagnostic
lightbox.

DB9Loopback
DB9

Signal

Loopback
to

Signal

RD

TD

TD

RD

DTR

6,1,9

DSR,DCD,RI

RTS

CTS

SGND

SGND

(DB9maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)
NOTE:
1. Weshow4(DTR)beingloopedto6(DSR),1(DCD)and9(RI).RI(9)isincluded
becauseweunderstandthatcertaintestprogramsusethistoensureamore
completetestoftheinterfacesignalset.

DB25Loopack
DB25

Signal

Loopback
to

Signal

RD

TD

TD

RD

RTS

CTS

CTS

RTS

SGND

SGND

15

DB

17

DD

20

DTR

6,8,22

DSR,DCD,RI

23

CH/CI

23

CH/CI

(maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)
NOTE:
1. Forthesakeofsimplicitythisloopbackwillonlyworkfortheprimarychannel.
FullDB25interfacesallowasecondarychannel.Ifacompleteinterfaceloopback
isrequiredyouwillneedtoaddpins12,13,14,16,19,24.
2. Byloopingtheprimarychannelclocks(15and17)bothsynchronousand
asynchronouscapabilitiescanbetested.Ifonlyasynchronoustestsarebeing
performedomitthis,andthepin23loopback
3. Weshow20(DTR)beingloopedto6(DSR),8(DCD)and22(RI).RI(22)is
includedbecauseweunderstandthatcertaintestprogramsusethistoensurea
morecompletetestoftheinterfacesignalset.

RS232DB9NULLModemPinoutonCAT5/CAT5(e)/CAT6
ThisisinresponsetoanumberofrecentemailsaskinghowtowirebothendsofaDB9
connectionusingcat5,cat5(e)orcat6cable.ThismustnotbeconfusedwithDB9toRJ45
(RS232D).Wehaveshownanullmodem(backtobackPCs)onlyconfiguration.Andif
youwanttousecat5,cat5(e)orcat6witharealmodem(aDB25connector)?Our
advicedon't.
Warning:.Thereis,asfarasweknow,nostandardtocovertheuseofcat5,cat5(e)or
cat6(8conductor)wiringwhenusedwithtwoDB9connectors.Anysuchwiringscheme
isthereforenonstandardthatincludesthewiringschemebelow.Specificallythis
meansthatbothendsofthecablemustbewiredinthesamewayandthatno
assumptionscanbemadeabouthowtheotherendiswired.Youwillhavetomanually
inspectbothendsoftheconnection.Damagecanresultfrommismatchedwiring.
ADB9clearlyhas9connectionsandacat5,cat5(e)andcat6cablehas8conductors.
RS232DhaschosentousePin1asamultifunctionpin(DSR/RI)toprovidemaximum
flexibilitywithmodemsinparticularitallowsforDCDwhichisameaningfulsignal
fromamodembutnot,wesuggest,fromapeerPC.Wehavechosentouseaminor
variationonthenormalDB9Nullmodempinoutabovespecificallywehaveallowedfor
RIwhichcouldbeusedfromapeerPCtocommenceatransmissionsequence.The
colorsusedareunimportantbutthesuggestedconfigurationisonewaytoprovidethe
shortestuseoftheadjacent(twisted)pairs.
IfthispinoutdoesnotworkforyouthenyoucouldtryourSignal/pinprimerbecause
youmayneedtoSPOOFconnections.

PC1Peer
DB9

PC2Peer

Signal

cat5(e)

DB9

Signal

Color

cat5(e)
Color

RD

Brown

TD

Blue

TD

Blue

RD

Brown

DTR

Green

6,1

DSR,DCD

Brownwhite

6,1

DSR,DCD

Brownwhite

DTR

Green

RTS

Bluewhite

CTS

Greenwhite

CTS

Greenwhite

RTS

Bluewhite

SGND

Orange

SGND

Orange

RI

Orangewhite 9

RI

Orangewhite

DB9:Viewlookingintomaleconnector
(maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)
NOTE:
1. WehavereceivedemailsuggestingthattheabovepinoutlookslikeDTRfromone
sideisdrivingintoDSR/DCDontheothersidenotnormallyahealthysituation.
TheemailsmissthepointthatsincethisisaNULLmodemconnectionbothends
areDTEs.ThetwopeerDTE'streatDSR/DCDsignalsasRX(INPUT)only.The
INPUTDSR/DCDononesideiscreatedbycrossconnectingtheOUTPUTDTR
signalfortheotherpeer.

RS232DB9toDB25Pinout
UsewhenconnectingaDB9(e.g.aPC)toaDB25(e.g.amodem)interface.Seethefull
signalnamesintheDB9andDB25section.
Signal/pinprimer
DB9

Signal

DB25

DCD

RD

TD

DTR

20

SGND

DSR

RTS

CTS

RI

22

Viewlookingintomaleconnector
(maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)

Viewlookingintomaleconnector
(maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)
NOTE:Leaveallpinsnotspecifiedaboveunconnected.

RS232DB9toDB25NULLModemPinout
Usewhenconnectingtwosystems(e.g.PCs)whenonehasaDB9interfaceandthe
otheraDB25interfacewithoutamodem.TypicallycalledabacktobackorNULL
modemconnection.SeethefullsignalnamesintheDB9andDB25sections.
Signal/pinprimer
DB9

Signal

DB25

Signal

RD

TD

TD

RD

DTR

6,8

DSR,DCD

6,1

DSR,DCD

20

DTR

RTS

CTS

CTS

RTS

SGND

SGND

RI

22

RI

DB9:Viewlookingintomaleconnector
(maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)

Viewlookingintomaleconnector
(maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)
Note:Leaveallpinsnotspecifiedaboveunconnected.

RS422,RS423andRS485(TIA/RS530AusingDB25)
RS530AdefinesthepinoutwhenusingeitherbalancedRS422(andRS485)or
unbalancedRS423usingaDB25connector.TheA(+)andB()belowrefertoeach
signalpairusedinbalancedserialinterfaces(A+isnoninverting,Bisinverting).When
usedwithRS423(unbalanced)theB()aretiedtoacommonground.Signalsmarked
UunderBal/Ubalarenotbalancedsincetheytypicallychangeveryinfrequently(for
exampleoncepersession)andthereforedonotaffectTX/RXperformancesensitivity
hencespeed.BEWARE:RS530(withouttheAsuffix)isanearlierstandardandiswired
differently(inparticularbothDTEReady/DTRandDCEReady/DSRusedbalanced
communicationstwopins).ThisistheRS530ApinoutspecinwhichDTEReady/DTR,
DCEReady/DSRareunbalancedandRIisintroducedonPin22.Thepinoutsupportsboth

synchronous(V.35/v.10/V.11)whichrequireclocksandaynchronoussystems(RS
422/RS485)whichdonotrequireclocks.Thecolumnmarked422/485indicatesthe
signalsrequiredfortheseinterfacesallothersareN.C.(Notconnected).RS422/485on
aDB9isseparatelydefined.
RS422vsRS485:ManyofusgetconfusedoverthedifferencebetweenRS422
(multidrop)andRS485(multipoint).RS422allowsonlyonemaster(ortransmitter)
allothersareonlyreceivers.
Notes:
1. MILSTD188114BreportedlydoesinterworkwithRS422/485.
PinNo.

RSSignalName

Bal/Ubal 422/485 Notes

Shield

CableShield,connectedat
DTEonly.

TransmitData(A+)

a.k.aTxD

ReceivedData(A+)

a.k.a.RxD

RTS(A+)

RequestToSend

CTS(A+)

ClearToSend

DCEReady(modem/CSU)

a.k.aDSR

SignalGround

DataCarrierDetect(A+)

a.k.aDCD,CDorRLSD

ReceiverSignalElementTiming(B)

10

DataCarrierDetect(B)

11

Ext.TransmitClock(B)

12

TransmitSignalElementTiming(B)

13

CTS(B)

CleartoSend

14

TransmitData(B)

a.k.aTxD

15

TransmitSignalelementTiming(A+)

16

ReceivedData(B)

17

ReceiverSignalElementTiming(A+)

18

LocalLoopback

19

RTS(B)

20

DTEReady

21

RemoteLoopback

22

RingIndicator

RI

23

SignalGround

24

ExtTXClock(A+)

25

TM

RXClock
Y

a.k.aDCD,CDorRLSD

TXCLOCK

TXCLOCK
Y

a.k.aRxD
RXCLOCK

U
Y

RequesttoSend

a.k.aDTR

TestMode

RS422andRS485(DB9)
ThereisnoofficialstandardforusingRS422orRS485onaDB9.Thefollowingpinout

iswidelyusedbymanymanufacturersbutyouareadvisedtoverifywiththe
manufacturer'sspecificationsbeforeproceeding.Thefollowingpinoutprovidesno
featuresforsignalingendtoendequipmentreadiness(forexampleDTEReady/DTRand
DCEReady/DSRseeRS422/485onDB25).SoftwaredriversmustusetheCTS/RTS
signalstoindicatethepresenceandreadinessofthepeer.
Notes:
1. TheA(+)andB()belowrefertoeachsignalpairusedinbalancedserial
interfaces(A+isnoninverting,Bisinverting).
DB9
Pin

Signal

Notes

Ground

CTS(A+)

CleartoSend

RTS(A+)

RequesttoSend

ReceiveData(A+)

RxD

ReceiveData(B)

RxD

CTS(B)

ClearToSend

RTS(B)

RequesttoSend

TransmitData(A+)

TxD

TransmitData(B)

TxD

V.35onDB25(RS530A)
TheoriginalV.35specificationdefineduseofbalancedsignalsoverahuge35pin
connector.V.35hasbeenobsoleteforyears(replacedwithV.10)thoughthetermisstill
frequentlyused.MostmodernsystemsthatcallthemselvesV.35useaDB25connector
whichhasmoremodestdimensionsandusestheRS530Apinoutschemeandmapsthe
V.35signalnamestotheRS530Anamesforconvenience.TheA(+)andB()below
refertoeachsignalpairusedinbalancedserialinterfaces(A+isnoninverting,Bis
inverting).SignalsmarkedUunderBal/Ubalarenotbalancedsincetheytypically
changeveryinfrequently(forexampleoncepersession)andthereforedonotaffect
TX/RXperformancesensitivityhencespeed.BEWARE:RS530(withouttheAsuffix)is
anearlierstandardandiswireddifferently(inparticularbothDTEReady/DTRandDCE
Ready/DSRusedbalancedcommunicationstwopins).ThisistheRS530Apinoutspec
inwhichDTEReady/DTR,DCEReady/DSRareunbalancedandRIisintroducedonPin
22.Thesignalnamesusedinthepinoutbelowrefertothestandard(original)V.35spec.
Signal/pinprimer
PinNo.

V.35Name Bal/Ubal Notes/RSSignalName

Shield

CableShield,connectedatDTEonly.

BA

TransmitData(A+)(a.k.aTxD)

BB

ReceivedData(A+)(a.k.a.RxD)

CA/CJ

RTS(A+)RequestToSend

CB

CTS(A+)ClearToSend

CC

AB

SignalGround

CF

DataCarrierDetect(A+)(a.k.aDCD,CDorRLSD)

DD

ReceiverSignalElementTiming(B)RXClock

10

CF

DataCarrierDetect(B)(a.k.aDCD,CDorRLSD)

11

DA

Ext.TransmitClock(B)

12

DB

TransmitSignalElementTiming(B)TXCLOCK

13

CB

CTS(B)CleartoSend

14

BA

TransmitData(TD)(B)(a.k.aTxD)

15

DB

TransmitSignalelementTiming(A+)TXCLOCK

16

BB

ReceivedData(B)(a.k.aRxD)

17

DD

ReceiverSignalElementTiming(A+)RXCLOCK

18

LL

19

CA/CJ

20

CD

DTEReady(a.k.aDTR)

21

RL

RemoteLoopback

DataCommunicationsEquipmentReady(modem/CSU)(a.k.aDSR)

LocalLoopback
RTS(B)RequesttoSend

22

RIRingIndicator

23

AC

SignalGround

24

DA

ExtTXClock(A+)

25

TM

TestMode

NOTES:
Leaveanypinsnotspecifiedaboveunconnected.
Inbalancedmodesignalswiththesamenamearethepairedset,forexample,
pins2and14arebothnamedBAandformtheTransmitDatapair.Eachsignalof
thepairiseitherahigh(A+)orlow(B)
WhenusedwithRS485inhalfduplex,multidroppedenvironmentsasimplethree
signalarrangementsisfrequentlyusedonepinisusedasaGNDandRX/TXis
alternatelyswitchedontoabalancedpairofwireswhichcanbeeithertheBA(TX)
orBB(RX)pair.

Viewlookingintomaleconnector
(DB25maleandfemaleconnectordiagrams)

DBDesignationsforDsubminiatureConnectors
ThisliststhedesignationsforDBconnectors(suppliedbyRobRecnyThanks).Any
errorsinthislistareoursnotRob's.
A15pin2rowjoystickconnector.
B25pin2rowserialorparallelconnectoralso44pinhighdensity3row.
C37pinconnectorsometimesfoundonmultiportserialordataacquisition
boards.
D50pinconnectoralittlelongerthanC,butthreerowsusingthesamepinsas
the2rowconnectors.
E9pin2rowserialalso3rowVGA.
SoaDB9ismoreproperlyaDE9P.Isn'tknowledgeawonderfulthing!
ThethreadsizeonanRS232receptacle(thejackscrew)isUNC440.

T1/E1Pinout(RJ48C)
T1/E1wiringmayuseeitheraRJ45,DB15orBNCconnectors.Thepinoutshownuses
RJ45connectorsitsformalnameisUSOCRJ48CandisdefinedinANSIT14031989.
T1isaNorthAmerica(primarily)digitalserviceproviding1.544Mbps.E1isa
European/RestofWorldstandardprovidingdigitalserviceat2.048Mbps.CATegory5(e)
cablingisusedtoprovidebalancedpairs.ThecolorcodingforCat5(e)cablingmaybe
568Aor568B.
RJ45Pin

Signal

Notes

RX1(Ringnegative)

RX2(TIPpositive)

FGND(RXGND)

TX1(Ringnegative)

TX2(TIPpositive)

FGND(TXGND)

Ground/Shield

NC

Unused

NC

Unused

Ground/Shield

NOTES:
1. NC=Notconnected.
2. ThereareaconfusingnumberofpinoutsforusewithanRJ45/48Cconnector.
Somespecsshowuseofpins7,8forGrounds.Alwaysconsultanyequipment
specificationifavailable.
3. ThetelecomworldlovesitsTipandRingdesignations.Tipisassumedtocarrya
positivevoltage(andwouldcarrythetransmissionsignal),Ringanegativevoltage

(andwouldcarrytheinvertedtransmissionsignal)

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