Serial Boards
Industrial serial boards are used to expand the serial communication capabilities of computers and embedded systems in automation and control environments. These boards are typically installed in PCI or PCIe slots and provide additional RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 ports for connecting legacy equipment such as PLCs, meters, sensors, barcode scanners, motor drives, and other serial-based industrial devices. Reliable serial communication remains critical in many industrial systems where long product lifecycles and established protocols are common.
Manufacturers such as Moxa offer industrial serial boards engineered for stable, long-term operation in mission-critical applications. Features often include high-speed data transmission, surge protection, optical isolation, and advanced UART support to reduce CPU load and improve performance. Many models support flexible port configuration and multi-drop networking, particularly in RS-485 applications commonly used in SCADA systems and distributed control networks.
Industrial serial boards also provide broad driver compatibility with major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and UNIX variants. This ensures seamless integration into existing systems and long-term maintainability.
FAQs
Q: What are industrial serial boards used for?
Industrial serial boards are used to add RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 communication ports to computers or embedded systems for connecting legacy industrial devices.
Q: What is the difference between RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485?
RS-232 is typically used for short-distance, point-to-point communication. RS-422 supports longer distances with higher noise immunity, while RS-485 allows multi-drop networking and is commonly used in industrial and SCADA systems.
Q: Are industrial serial boards compatible with modern operating systems?
Yes, many industrial serial boards support drivers for Windows, Linux, and UNIX-based operating systems, allowing integration into a wide range of platforms.
Q: Why is optical isolation important in serial boards?
Optical isolation helps protect connected equipment from electrical noise, ground loops, and voltage surges, improving reliability in industrial environments.
Q: Can serial boards support multiple connected devices?
Yes, especially in RS-485 mode, serial boards can support multi-drop configurations that allow multiple devices to communicate over a single serial network.
Why Buy Industrial Serial Boards from RSP Supply
RSP Supply offers a comprehensive selection of industrial serial boards designed for reliable RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 communication. These products support legacy device integration, long-term system stability, and compatibility with modern industrial platforms. Customers rely on RSP Supply for dependable industrial communication components, knowledgeable technical support, and solutions suited for automation and control applications.