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Appendix C – Electrical Interface
RS-232
Quite possibly the most widely used communication standard is RS 232. This implementation has been
defined and revised several times and is often referred to as RS 232 or EIA/TIA 232. It is defined by the EIA
as the Interface between Data Terminal Equipment and Data Circuit- Terminating Equipment Employing
Serial Binary Data Interchange. The mechanical implementation of RS 232 is on a 25 pin D sub connector.
RS 232 is capable of operating at data rates up to 20 Kbps at distances less than 50 ft. The absolute
maximum data rate may vary due to line conditions and cable lengths. RS 232 often operates at 38.4 Kbps
over very short distances. The voltage levels defined by RS 232 range from -12 to +12 volts. RS 232 is a
single ended or unbalanced interface, meaning that a single electrical signal is compared to a common
signal (ground) to determine binary logic states. A voltage of +12 volts (usually +3 to +10 volts) represents
a binary 0 (space) and -12 volts ( -3 to -10 volts) denotes a binary 1 (mark). The RS-232 and the EIA/TIA-
574 specification defines two type of interface circuits, Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Circuit-
Terminating Equipment (DCE). The Sealevel Systems adapter is a DTE interface.
RS-422
The RS 422 specification defines the electrical characteristics of balanced voltage digital interface circuits.
RS 422 is a differential interface that defines voltage levels and driver/receiver electrical specifications. On
a differential interface, logic levels are defined by the difference in voltage between a pair of outputs or
inputs. In contrast, a single ended interface, for example RS 232, defines the logic levels as the difference
in voltage between a single signal and a common ground connection. Differential interfaces are typically
more immune to noise or voltage spikes that may occur on the communication lines. Differential interfaces
also have greater drive capabilities that allow for longer cable lengths. RS 422 is rated up to 10 Megabits
per second and can have cabling 4000 feet long. RS 422 also defines driver and receiver electrical
characteristics that will allow 1 driver and up to 32 receivers on the line at once. RS 422 signal levels range
from 0 to +5 volts. RS 422 does not define a physical connector.
RS-530/530A
RS-530 (a.k.a. EIA-530) compatibility means that RS-422 signal levels are met, and the pin-out for the DB-
25 connector is specified. The EIA (Electronic Industry Association) created the RS-530 specification to
detail the pin-out and define a full set of modem control signals that can be used for regulating flow control
and line status. The major difference between RS-530 and RS-530A lies in the modem control interface
signals. In RS-530 the signals are differential, in RS-530A the signals are single ended. The RS-530
specification defines two types of interface circuits, Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Circuit
Terminating Equipment (DCE). The Sealevel Systems adapter is a DTE interface.
© Sealevel Systems, Inc.
5011 Manual | SL9167 12/2022
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