Advantech 2-port RS-232/422/485 PCI Express Communication Card w/Surge & Isolation

Designed for robust, reliable serial connectivity in industrial, laboratory, and enterprise environments, the Advantech 2-Port RS-232/422/485 PCI Express Communication Card w/Surge & Isolation delivers flexible dual-port serial expansion for desktops and workstations. This PCIe-based card brings two independent serial channels to life, each of which can be configured for RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485, enabling you to support a wide range of devices—from legacy sensors and instruments to high-density multi-drop networks. The combination of surge protection and galvanic isolation helps protect your host system and connected equipment from voltage spikes, ground loops, and electrical noise that are common in industrial settings, ensuring steady data transfer and reduced downtime.

With its compact yet rugged design, the Advantech PCI Express serial card integrates seamlessly into standard PC chassis, offering a future‑proof upgrade path for serial-heavy applications such as factory automation, point-of-sale systems, data acquisition, telemetry, and communications gateways. The card is supported by comprehensive drivers and utilities for Windows and Linux, simplifying installation and configuration. Whether you are modernizing an existing fleet of devices or building a new, reliable serial communication backbone, this two-port Advantech card provides the performance, protection, and flexibility you need.

• Dual configurable serial ports: Each of the two ports can be set to RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485, allowing you to connect a mix of devices on a single card. This per-port configurability means you can run legacy RS-232 devices alongside multi-drop RS-485 sensors without juggling adapters or multiple expansion cards.
• Flexible, reliable communication: The card supports high‑speed serial data transfer with precise timing and stable baud rate handling. Its design minimizes data loss in environments with electrical noise, long cable runs, or clustered devices, ensuring consistent performance for critical applications such as CNC controls, barcode systems, and remote telemetry.
• Surge protection and isolation: Built‑in surge suppression and galvanic isolation safeguard both the host computer and the connected serial devices from voltage spikes and ground potential differences. This protection is especially valuable in factory floors, U.S.B. powder-coated environments, and other industrial spaces where electrical disturbances are common.
• Industrial‑grade durability and compatibility: The PCI Express form factor is designed for easy integration into standard desktops and workstations, with a robust enclosure intended to withstand challenging environments. The card is compatible with a broad range of operating systems and supports standard driver stacks, making it suitable for mixed-OS deployments in manufacturing, automation, or data-center edge devices.
• Comprehensive software support: The card ships with drivers and configuration utilities for Windows and Linux, plus documentation and APIs that help developers integrate serial communications into custom applications, SCADA systems, or IoT gateways. The software tools enable straightforward port configuration, baud rate selection, parity settings, stop bits, flow control, and alarm logging to streamline deployment and ongoing maintenance.

Technical Details of Advantech 2-Port RS-232/422/485 PCI Express Communication Card w/Surge & Isolation

• Bus interface: PCI Express (PCIe) expansion card
• Ports: 2 serial channels
• Serial standards per port: Configurable as RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485
• Protection: Built-in surge protection and electrical isolation between host and serial lines
• Compatibility: Drivers and utilities available for Windows and Linux operating systems
• Enclosure: Industrial-grade housing designed for reliability in demanding environments
• Product positioning: Ideal for industrial automation, data acquisition, and device communications requiring robust serial interfaces

How to install Advantech 2-Port RS-232/422/485 PCI Express Communication Card w/Surge & Isolation

• Power down your computer and disconnect it from any power source.
• Open the chassis and locate an available PCI Express slot (preferably x1 or higher) that accommodates a standard PCIe card.
• Carefully insert the Advantech PCIe card into the slot, ensuring a firm, level connection, then secure the bracket with a mounting screw.
• Close the chassis, reconnect power, and boot the system. The operating system should detect the new hardware automatically.
• Install the official drivers and configuration utilities from the included media or download them from Advantech’s support site. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete installation.
• Open the configuration utility to set each port’s mode (RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485), baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits, and flow control. Save settings and test with your serial devices to confirm proper operation.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What connectivity does this card provide? A: It provides two independent serial ports that can be configured per port to RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485, giving you flexible, mixed-mode serial connectivity in a single PCIe card.
• Q: Does it protect devices from electrical disturbances? A: Yes. The card includes surge protection and galvanic isolation to help safeguard the host system and connected devices in challenging electrical environments.
• Q: Which operating systems are supported? A: The card ships with drivers and utilities for Windows and Linux. Always check the latest compatibility list on the vendor site for your specific OS version.
• Q: Is external power required? A: No. The card draws power from the PCIe slot, so there is no need for an external power supply for operation.
• Q: Can the two ports operate with different serial modes? A: Yes. Each port can be configured independently to RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 to accommodate diverse device requirements within the same system.