RS232 standard over CAT5 with DB9 connector?

[RupTheKid]

Hey all,

I have an existing CAT5 in place (about 50 ft run) behind the wall, and I'd like to use it to connect an RS232C interface at both ends via the DB9 connector.

I know the RS232C DB9 is a 9 pin and CAT5 is only 8 leads; can I successfuly solder RS232C format to a CAT5, or does the format need all 9 leads? I'm searching online but can't find a clear answer with regards to the 'C' revision, and I'd like to do it without purchasing those active CAT5-DB9 adaptors at both ends.


If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Rup

 

[Fardringle]

This chart shows the pin/wire specifications for the two interfaces. Using the two you should be able to configure the connection properly.
http://www.zytrax.com/tech/lay...les/tech_rs232.htm#db9


I must admit that I'm curious what it is you are doing that requires a 50 foot serial cable connection...

 

[RupTheKid]

Thanks for the chart, I think I came across that as well somewhere in my hunt .

The short answer in case anybody else needs this information is yes, RS232C will work over CAT5, but only for one-way directionality.

It's pins 2, 3, and 5 (TX, RX, and GROUND respectively).

As for what I'm trying to do, I'm experimenting on my home theater buildout and controlling my television automation, disc player, etc with my PC over multiple serial cables. This way I can turn it on / off / change settings with commands from a bluetooth keyboard, a tablet PC that can double as a touchpad, or hopefully via my Treo. I watch an increasing amount of (licensed, fansubbed) anime, as well as a lot of television shows off the show's websites, so it would really be great to be able to watch all of this in the living room instead of on a small PC screen.

I'm not really sure where I'm going with all this yet, but it's a fun experiment and we're trying to converge.

 

[robmurphy]

RS232 serial works fine over cat5. I use this at work. Most Cisco kit has a serial connection for the console, and that is an RJ45 connector. The conection works in both directions.

 

[skyking]

For a COM port connection to a phone system, I push RS232 about 300' over cat3 with a few splices in it just fine. It works bi-directionally as well.
I tried the same distance with a RS232 remote timeclock, and it was no joy.

 

[Modelworks]

Really rs-232 was not meant for long range communication.
You should be fine at 50 ft though.
For long range look up rs-485 instead.
If you build the converter yourself, it cost about 10.00 to convert from 232-485.

 

[her209]

If you want to go fancy, buy one of these:

link

 

[RupTheKid]

Thanks for all the help guys...everything worked out just fine.