USB to TTL Serial Cable - Debug / Console Cable for Raspberry Pi

Rating:
94% of 100
SKU: ADA954 Brand: Adafruit
The cable is easiest way ever to connect to your microcontroller/Raspberry Pi/WiFi router serial console port. Inside the big USB plug is a USB<->Serial conversion...
$20.05 AUD, inc GST
$18.23 AUD, exc GST

In stock, ships same business day if ordered before 2PM
Delivered by Tue, 2nd of Apr

Quantity Discounts:

  • 10-25 $17.50 (exc GST)
  • 25+ $16.95 (exc GST)
- +

2 from local stock, 1 supplier stock; your order will dispatch between Dec 1 to Dec 10. And yes, stock levels and lead times are accurate!

Favourite product

Shipping:

  • $6+ Standard (5+ days*, tracked)
  • $10+ Express (2+ days*, tracked)
  • FREE Pickup (Newcastle only - must order online*)

Shipping costs may increase for heavy products or large orders.

Exact shipping can be calculated on the view cart page.

*Conditions apply, see shipping tab below.

The cable is easiest way ever to connect to your microcontroller/Raspberry Pi/WiFi router serial console port. Inside the big USB plug is a USB<->Serial conversion chip and at the end of the 36" cable are four wire - red power, black ground, white RX into USB port, and green TX out of the USB port. The power pin provides the 5V @ 500mA direct from the USB port and the RX/TX pins are 3.3V level for interfacing with the most common 3.3V logic level chipsets.

Because of the separated pin plugs, this cable is ideal for powering and connecting up to the debug/login console on the Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone Black. Connect the pins as shown to power the Pi or BBB and establish the RX/TX link.

Also handy for hacking WiFi routers to install alternate OS's, or nearly any other 3.3V logic serial port. This is easier to use than an FTDI cable in many cases because the wires are separated. Note that Adafruit call this a "TTL cable" (since that's what they're called) but technically it's CMOS logic.

This cable is not good for Arduino re-programming such as a Boarduino, MENTA, Monochron, etc. because it does not have the DTR/RTS wire necessary for initiating the bootloader reboot sequence. For that we suggest an FTDI cable or FTDI friend.

Technical Details

There are four wires: red power, black ground, white RX into USB port, and green TX out of the USB port.
The power pin provides the 5V @ 500mA direct from the USB port and the RX/TX pins are 3.3V level for interfacing with the most common 3.3V logic level chipsets.

Revision History

  • Prior to July 1 2014 this cable would come with a PL2303HX chipset and a black USB body. After July 1, 2014 Adafruit changed to a violet body and the PL2303TA chipset. The new 'TA cables are Win8 compatible, and are more reliable especially when dealing with random USB-disconnects.
  • As of Dec. 21, 2016 Adafruit will be shipping cables with SiLabs CP2012 chipset instead of Prolific. SiLabs chips seem to have better driver stability, and can handle very high speeds and 'unusual' non-standard baud rates. Other than the driver installation, the cables perform identically.

This product is listed in:

Prototyping>Data Converters

Product Comments

Exact shipping can be calculated on the view cart page (no login required).

Products that weigh more than 0.5 KG may cost more than what's shown (for example, test equipment, machines, >500mL liquids, etc).

We deliver Australia-wide with these options (depends on the final destination - you can get a quote on the view cart page):

  • $3+ for Stamped Mail (typically 10+ business days, not tracked, only available on selected small items)
  • $6+ for Standard Post (typically 6+ business days, tracked)
  • $10+ for Express Post (typically 2+ business days, tracked)
  • Pickup - Free! Only available to customers who live in the Newcastle region (must order online and only pickup after we email to notify you the order is ready). Orders placed after 2PM may not be ready until the following business day.

Non-metro addresses in WA, NT, SA & TAS can take 2+ days in addition to the above information.

Some batteries (such as LiPo) can't be shipped by Air. During checkout, Express Post and International Methods will not be an option if you have that type of battery in your shopping cart.

International Orders - the following rates are for New Zealand and will vary for other countries:

  • $11+ for Pack and Track (3+ days, tracked)
  • $16+ for Express International (2-5 days, tracked)

If you order lots of gear, the postage amount will increase based on the weight of your order.

Our physical address (here's a PDF which includes other key business details):

Unit 18, 132 Garden Grove Parade
Adamstown
NSW, 2289
Australia

Take a look at our customer service page if you have other questions such as "do we do purchase orders" (yes!) or "are prices GST inclusive" (yes they are!). We're here to help - get in touch with us to talk shop.

Have a product question? We're here to help!

Write Your Own Review

Guides

Three Golden Rules for Choosing a Power Supply (No Maths!)

Often the last consideration in a maker project, the DC power supply is the heartbeat of many elect...
Often the last consideration in a maker project, the DC power supply is the heartbeat of many elect...

The Maker Revolution

The Maker Revolution celebrates the creation of new devices and the modification of existing ones - ...
The Maker Revolution celebrates the creation of new devices and the modification of existing ones - ...

Prototyping a Circuit: Methods and Tools

Ah prototyping, the backbone of maker electronics, well really all electronics. Any successful devic...
Ah prototyping, the backbone of maker electronics, well really all electronics. Any successful devic...

Fritzing for Schematic and PCB Design

Fritzing is a completely free Circuit Design program available across all popular operating systems....
Fritzing is a completely free Circuit Design program available across all popular operating systems....

Projects

Raspberry Pi Video Looper Display Installation | Overshare Video Festival

IntroductionA suspended ceiling display of forty repurposed screens and displays, each screening cr...
IntroductionA suspended ceiling display of forty repurposed screens and displays, each screening cr...

Mailbox Delivery Notification System

Introduction During the Covid lockdown, I needed something to do. The Postman or woman does not de...
Introduction During the Covid lockdown, I needed something to do. The Postman or woman does not de...

PiicoDev Schematic System

Introduction: Hi everybody. Over the past few weeks, I have been working on an intuitive system th...
Introduction: Hi everybody. Over the past few weeks, I have been working on an intuitive system th...
Feedback

Please continue if you would like to leave feedback for any of these topics:

  • Website features/issues
  • Content errors/improvements
  • Missing products/categories
  • Product assignments to categories
  • Search results relevance

For all other inquiries (orders status, stock levels, etc), please contact our support team for quick assistance.

Note: click continue and a draft email will be opened to edit. If you don't have an email client on your device, then send a message via the chat icon on the bottom left of our website.

Makers love reviews as much as you do, please follow this link to review the products you have purchased.