FAQ about Drives Technology

USB / RS232 Adapter

MICROMASTER 4,
SINAMICS G110/G120
 USB / RS232 Adapter

Item-ID: 24072800

Warranty, liability and support

We do not accept any liability for the information contained in this
document.
Any claims against us - based on whatever legal reason - resulting from the
use of the examples, information, programs, engineering and performance
data etc., described in this example shall be excluded. Such an exclusion
shall not apply in the case of mandatory liability, e.g. under the German
Product Liability Act (“Produkthaftungsgesetz”), in case of intent, gross
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product, fraudulent concealment of a deficiency or breach of a condition
which goes to the root of the contract (“wesentliche Vertragspflichten”).
However, claims arising from a breach of a condition which goes to the root
of the contract shall be limited to the foreseeable damage which is intrinsic
to the contract, unless caused by intent or gross negligence or based on
mandatory liability for injury of life, body or health The above provisions
does not imply a change in the burden of proof to your detriment.
Copyright © Siemens AG 2007 All rights reserved
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Copyright© 2007 Siemens A&D. It is not permissible to transfer or

copy these examples or excerpts of them without first having prior
authorization from Siemens A&D in writing.

For suggestions about this document please use the following e-mail
address:

mailto:sdsupport.aud@siemens.com

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................... 3
1 Overview.......................................................................................................... 4
1.1 COM port number ............................................................................................. 5
1.1.1 Different behavior of STARTER and Drive Monitor when selecting the COM
port number.................................................................................................. 6
Behavior in STARTER ................................................................................. 6
Behavior in Drive Monitor............................................................................. 7
2 Appendix ......................................................................................................... 9
2.1 Internet links ..................................................................................................... 9
2.2 History............................................................................................................... 9

This entry is from the Internet offer of Siemens AG, Automation and Drives,
Copyright © Siemens AG 2007 All rights reserved

Service & Support. Clicking the link below directly displays the download
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page of this document.

http://support.automation.siemens.com/WW/view/en/24072800

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 USB / RS232 Adapter

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1 Overview

In some cases, more recent PG/PC devices no longer have an RS232

interface but only USB interfaces. In order to still be able to address
Siemens standard inverters using these PG/PC (e.g. PC COM-Port (USS
protocol)), we recommend that USB<->RS232 adapters are used.
•
• Following adapters have been tested:
• Roline USB to serial 9-pin converter, Order No. 12.02.1086
(www.roline.com)
• Conrad USB-modem adapter, Order No. 98 24 17
(www.conrad.de)
• SITECOM USB Serial cable CN-104 – USB to serial
Copyright © Siemens AG 2007 All rights reserved
PDF_USB_RS232_Adapter_en_V1.2.doc

(www.sitecom.com)

Customers in the US can order the following from www.sewelldirect.com:

Part No: SW-1301 2ft cable
Part No: SW-4282 6ft cable

The adaptor from Roline showed the best results. With other adapters,
individual problems can occur at low baud rates. If data transfer rate
problems occur, then the min. baud rate should be set to 38400.

Please note that you must have installed the actual driver from the
particular manufacturer before using the adapter.

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 USB / RS232 Adapter

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1.1 COM port number

When a USB<->RS232 adapter is first inserted in an USB port, then the

operating system assigns it a new COM port number that was previously
not used. This COM port number depends on the number of USB interfaces
that the computer has as well as the devices that were previously used at
this computer.
The COM port number of the USB<->RS232 adapter must be known in
order to select the correct COM port in STARTER or Drive Monitor to
establish the online connection.
This COM port number can be checked in the Device Manager and/or
modified as required (refer to Fig. 1-1).
In this example, the COM port number COM7 is used for the USB<-
>RS232 adapter ATEN USB to Serial Bridge.
Copyright © Siemens AG 2007 All rights reserved
PDF_USB_RS232_Adapter_en_V1.2.doc

Fig. 1-1

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 USB / RS232 Adapter

Item-ID: 24072800

1.1.1 Different behavior of STARTER and Drive Monitor when selecting the
COM port number

The different behavior of the STARTER and Drive Monitor tools - regarding
the selection of the COM port number - is discussed in the subsequent text.

Behavior in STARTER
New COM port numbers are automatically added to the selection list in the
"Set PG/PC interface…" under the tab "Interface" and can be selected
from there. Here, there are no restrictions regarding the COM port number.

Note:
It should be noted that in the "Set PG/PC interface…" for "PC COM-Port
Copyright © Siemens AG 2007 All rights reserved
PDF_USB_RS232_Adapter_en_V1.2.doc

(USS)" under tab "RS485" automatic operation must be selected.

Otherwise online operation with a USB adapter at RS232 is not possible.

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 USB / RS232 Adapter

Item-ID: 24072800

Behavior in Drive Monitor

In Drive Monitor it is only possible to select either COM1 - COM4. The
selection list is not supplemented by active and/or existing interfaces. The
four selection possibilities are fixed.
The COM port number of the USB<->RS232 adapter should therefore be
changed so that it lies between 1 - 4. Only then is it possible to select the
correct interface in the Drive Monitor and establish an online connection.
When initialized by the operating system, if the USB<->RS232 adapter is
assigned e.g. a COM port number 5 or higher then the COM port number
must be changed (< 5).
To do this, select your USB<->RS232 adapter in the device manager under
"Ports (COM & LPT)" by double clicking on it.
The "Properties" window of the USB<->RS232 adapter opens.
Here, open the tab "Port Settings" (refer to Fig. 1-2).
Copyright © Siemens AG 2007 All rights reserved
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Fig. 1-2

Keep the default settings of all of the parameters and press the
"Advanced…" button.
The "Advanced Settings" window for the COM port is displayed.
Select the COM port number from the list that opens between 1 - 4 (refer to
Fig. 1-3).

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Fig. 1-3

It is possible that all COM port numbers between 1 and 4 are occupied.
In this case, select one that you are not using and exit the window with
"OK". > A message is displayed that this COM port is already being used
by another device; acknowledge this with "Yes"
Copyright © Siemens AG 2007 All rights reserved

Note:
PDF_USB_RS232_Adapter_en_V1.2.doc

Please note that in the "ONLINE Settings" for bus operation via RS485
the automatic mode must be selected under the "Interface" tab.
Otherwise, online operation with a USB adapter at RS232 is not possible.

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2 Appendix

2.1 Internet links

This list is by no means complete and only provides a selection of

appropriate sources.

Table 2-1
Topic Title
\1\ Web page Siemens A&D Customer Support
\2\ FAQ Recommendations for reliable RS485
communication between S7-200 and
MICROMASTER4
\3\ Update [internal] USS communications via RS485
Copyright © Siemens AG 2007 All rights reserved

\4\ Update [internal] Intl. Warning Sheet and RS485 Adapter for
PDF_USB_RS232_Adapter_en_V1.2.doc

MICROMASTER 4

2.2 History

Table 2-2 History

Version Date Changes
V1.0 16.10.2006 First issue
V1.1 December 2006 Detailed description generated
V1.2 April 2007 Text updated

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