CableCreation CD0494 USB 2.0 to RS232 DB9 Data Converter Black

USB 2.0 to RS232 DB9 converter

The CableCreation CD0494 adapter connects a DB9 serial device such as a modem, scanner or industrial controller to a USB 2.0 port. It installs as a standard Windows COM port and carries full RS-232 control and data signals including TxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DSR, DTR, DCD, RI and GND. The FTDI chipset provides broad driver support across Windows, macOS, Linux, OpenBSD and FreeBSD. No external power supply is needed.

Practical limits of the USB 2.0 interface

The adapter operates at USB 2.0 speeds, so throughput is bounded by that standard rather than the serial device itself. Driver installation is automatic on Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 when an internet connection is present; older Windows releases and non-Windows platforms require a manual download. The FTDI chip does not add protocol conversion beyond RS-232, so the link remains a point-to-point serial connection.

Build quality and daily implications

Gold-plated connectors resist corrosion and maintain reliable contact through repeated mating cycles. The moulded black cable measures 2.6 in by 11.3 in by 12.6 in and weighs 0.03 kg, making it light enough to hang from a laptop port without strain. USB bus power eliminates a separate wall wart, reducing cable clutter at a cashier register, CNC machine or POS station. Buyers who need a second simultaneous serial port or a USB-C native connection will need a different solution.