Black Box IC830A User manual

24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT 1.877.877.2269 OR VISIT BLACKBOX.COM
USB to RS-485 4 wire
Model IC831A
USB 2.0 TO
RS-485
CONVERTER
IC830A, IC831A
USER MANUAL

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEED HELP?
LEAVE THE TECH TO US
LIVE 24/7
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
1.877.877.2269
1. 8 7 7. 8 7 7. 2 2 6 9 BLACKBOX.COM
1. SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 General Specifications.............................................................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Dimensional Diagrams.............................................................................................................................................................................4
2. OVERVIEW...................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Features ....................................................................................................................................................................................................5
2.3 What’s Included........................................................................................................................................................................................5
2.4 Hardware Description..............................................................................................................................................................................6
3. INSTALLATION .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
3.1 STEP 1: Install the Drivers........................................................................................................................................................................7
3.2 STEP 2: Connect the Converter ..............................................................................................................................................................7
3.2.1 IC830A (2-Wire Model) Wiring.........................................................................................................................................................................7
3.2.2 IC831A (4-Wire Model) Wiring.........................................................................................................................................................................7
3.3 STEP 3: Loopback Test (4-Wire Model Only).........................................................................................................................................8
3.4 STEP 4: Back-to-Back Test (2-Wire Model Only) ...................................................................................................................................9
3.5 Pinouts ......................................................................................................................................................................................................9
4. OPERATION.................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
5. TROUBLESHOOTING................................................................................................................................................................... 11
APPENDIX A. REGULATORY INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................ 12
A.1 FCC Statement .......................................................................................................................................................................................12
A.2 CE Declaration of Conformity...............................................................................................................................................................12
A.3 NOM Statement .....................................................................................................................................................................................13
APPENDIX B. DISCLAIMER/TRADEMARKS ................................................................................................................................. 14
B.1 Disclaimer ...............................................................................................................................................................................................14
B.2 Trademarks Used in this Manual ..........................................................................................................................................................14

3
1. 8 7 7. 8 7 7. 2 2 6 9 BLACKBOX.COM
NEED HELP?
LEAVE THE TECH TO US
LIVE 24/7
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
1.877.877.2269
CHAPTER 1: SPECIFICATIONS
TABLE 1-1. SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATION DESCRIPTION
Serial Technology
RS-485 2-Wire Data A (-), Data B (+), Ground
RS-485 4-Wire TDA (-), TDB (+), RDA (-), RDB (+), GROUND
Connector DB9 female
Data Rate Up to 921.6 kbps
USB Technology
Connector USB Type B female
Standard 2.0 (backward-compatible)
Data Rate 12 Mbps
Power
Source USB port
Input Voltage 5 VDC
Consumption 0.5 W (low-power device, draws less than 100 mA)
Software
Driver CD Windows
Mechanical
Dimensions 0.6"H x 2.3"W x 1.3"D (1.6 x 5.8 x 3.2 cm)
Weight 0.23 lb. (0.10 kg) with USB cable
Enclosure In-line mounted, plastic
Environmental
Operating Temperature 32 to 158° F (0 to 70° C)
Storage Temperature -40 to +185° F (-40 to +85° C)
Operating Humidity 0 to 95%, relative humidity, noncondensing
MTBF IC830A (2-wire model): 2130833 hours
IC831A (4-wire model): 1869313 hours
MTBF Method Parts count reliability prediction
Approvals
Compliance FCC, CE
EU 2014/30/EU: Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
2011/65/EU: Reduction of Hazardous Substances Directive
EMC
EN 55022:2010 + AC: Information Technology Equipment - Radio Disturbance Characteristics - Limits and
Methods of Measurement
EN 61000-6-1: Generic Immunity Standard for Residential, Commercial, and Light Industrial Environments
EN 61000-4-2: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Immunity
EN 61000-4-3: Radiated Field Immunity (RFI)
EN 61000 -4-4: Electrical Fast Transients (EFT) Burst Immunity
EN 61000-4-5: Surge Immunity
EN 61000-4-6: RF Conducted Immunity
1.1 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

41. 8 7 7. 8 7 7. 2 2 6 9 BLACKBOX.COM
NEED HELP?
LEAVE THE TECH TO US
LIVE 24/7
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
1.877.877.2269
CHAPTER 1: SPECIFICATIONS
1.2 DIMENSIONAL DIAGRAMS
3.2 cm
1.3 in
5.8 cm
2.3 in
1.6 cm
0.6 in
FIGURE 1-1. DIMENSIONS

5
1. 8 7 7. 8 7 7. 2 2 6 9 BLACKBOX.COM
NEED HELP?
LEAVE THE TECH TO US
LIVE 24/7
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
1.877.877.2269
CHAPTER 2: OVERVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is the common interface used in today’s PCs, replacing the familiar serial ports. However, many commercial
and industrial devices still use the RS-485 interface. To connect these devices to newer PCs, you need a simple and reliable conversion
solution. The IC830A and IC831A offer this solution in a space saving, USB-port powered package.
Simply plug the converter into an available USB port on your computer or USB hub and install the drivers supplied on CD ROM. The device
will show up as an additional COM port in the Windows Device Manager, which is fully compatible with your Windows applications.
A 3.2-foot (1-meter) USB cable is included.
2.2 FEATURES
Connect RS-485 devices to your USB port
Ideal for field-service applications
Small—fits easily into any laptop bag
USB port powered
USB 2.0 (12 Mbps) compatible
Supports RS-485 data rates up to 921.6 kbps
Works with Windows
2.3 WHAT’S INCLUDED
IC830A:
USB 2.0 to RS-485 2-Wire Converter, DB9, 1-Port
3.2-ft. (1-m) USB cable
CD-ROM with drivers
IC831A:
USB 2.0 to RS-485 4-Wire Converter, DB9, 1-Port
3.2-ft. (1-m) USB cable
CD-ROM with drivers

61. 8 7 7. 8 7 7. 2 2 6 9 BLACKBOX.COM
NEED HELP?
LEAVE THE TECH TO US
LIVE 24/7
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
1.877.877.2269
CHAPTER 2: OVERVIEW
2.4 HARDWARE DESCRIPTION
Figure 2-1 shows the converter and describes its components.
DB9 connector
(links to RS-485 interface)
USB Type B connector
(links to USB 2.0 interface on PC)
FIGURE 2-1. USB 2.0 TO RS-485 CONVERTER

7
1. 8 7 7. 8 7 7. 2 2 6 9 BLACKBOX.COM
NEED HELP?
LEAVE THE TECH TO US
LIVE 24/7
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
1.877.877.2269
CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION
3.1 STEP 1: INSTALL THE DRIVERS
CAUTION: To prevent installation errors, do not plug in the hardware until you have already installed the drivers.
The driver software is contained on the CD that is packaged with your converter.
Put the driver CD into the PC. The setup program should automatically launch.
Click “Next.” Accept the license agreement and then click “Next” again.
The program will install the driver and a screen will be displayed indicating successful installation.
When you connect the converter to your PC for the first time, the COM port will be configured. This could take up to 30 seconds.
3.2 STEP 2: CONNECT THE CONVERTER
3.2.1 IC830A (2-WIRE)
PIN 2 Data A (-)
PIN 3 Data B( +)
PIN 4 GND
USBData A (-)
Data B (+)
GND
To PC
485USB9F-2WRS-485 2-Wire Device
IC830A RS-485 2-wire device
FIGURE 3-1. IC830A WIRING
3.2.2 IC831A (4-WIRE)
USB
To PC
Pin 2 RDA(-)
Pin 3 TDB(+)
Pin 7 RDB(+)
Pin 8 TDA(-)
Pin 6 GND
TDA(-)
RDB(+)
TDB(+)
RDA(-)
GND
IC831A RS-485 4-wire device
FIGURE 3-2. IC831A WIRING

81. 8 7 7. 8 7 7. 2 2 6 9 BLACKBOX.COM
NEED HELP?
LEAVE THE TECH TO US
LIVE 24/7
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
1.877.877.2269
CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION
3.3 STEP 3: LOOPBACK TEST (4-WIRE)
Loopback RDA (-) to TDA (-) and TDB (+) to RDB (+) as shown in Figure 3-3.
54321
9876
FIGURE 3-3. LOOPBACK CONNECTIONS
1.Using Hyperterminal or a similar program, connect to the appropriate COM port.
2. Set the desired baud rate.
3. Ensure that Hyperterminal local echo is OFF.
4. Transmit data.
5. If the same character string is returned, the test is good.

9
1. 8 7 7. 8 7 7. 2 2 6 9 BLACKBOX.COM
NEED HELP?
LEAVE THE TECH TO US
LIVE 24/7
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
1.877.877.2269
CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION
3.4 STEP 4: BACK-TO-BACK TEST (2-WIRE)
Due to the configuration, a loopback test is not possible with the IC830A 2-Wire model. But two converters can be used in a back-
to-back configuration.
1. Wire the converters.
2. Using Hyperterminal or a similar program, connect to the appropriate COM ports.
3. Set the desired baud rate.
4. Transmit data.
5. If the same string is returned, the test is good.
3.5 PINOUTS
Figure 3-4 shows the converter’s DB9 female connector.
5
9876
43221
5
4
3
2
1
9
8
7
6
FIGURE 3-4. DB9 CONNECTOR PINOUT
TABLE 3-1. 2-WIRE AND 4-WIRE PINOUTS
PIN RS-485, 2-WIRE RS-485, 4-WIRE
1 Not used Not used
2Data A- Input/Output Receive RDA- Input
3Data B+ Input/Output Transmit TDB+ Output
4Ground Ground
5 Not used Not used
6Ground Ground
7Data B+ Input/Output Receive RDB+ Input
8Data A- Input/Output Transmit TDA- Output
9 Not used Not used

10 1. 8 7 7. 8 7 7. 2 2 6 9 BLACKBOX.COM
NEED HELP?
LEAVE THE TECH TO US
LIVE 24/7
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
1.877.877.2269
CHAPTER 4: OPERATION
Drivers are included on the Compact Disk included with the converter. Simply connect the converter to an available USB port and
insert the CD into the drive. The “Found New Hardware Wizard” will guide you through the installation process. The drivers are not
available via Microsoft Windows Updates. When prompted to connect to Windows Updates to search for drivers, select “No, not at
this time” and follow the instructions for installing from the CD.
When the driver software is installed, the converter will show up in Windows Device Manager as the next available COM port labeled
“RS-485 Port.” Configure the COM port for your application. The default setup is 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, no flow
control. The converter will also be listed under USB Controllers.
To uninstall the drivers, follow the instructions contained in the uninstall “read me” file.
Use the IC830A for RS-485 2-Wire systems. In the 2-Wire configuration, the receiver toggles with the transmit data. Bias is provided
by 4.7 KΩ pull-up and pull-down resistors.
Use the IC831A for RS-485 4-Wire systems. In the 4-Wire configuration, the receiver is always active. Bias is provided by 4.7 KΩ pull-
up and pull-down resistors on the receive pair. Bias should be provided on the transmit pair by the end of line slave device.
In most applications, termination is not required. If your application does require termination, it must be installed external to the
converter.