Difference Between RS232 and RS485 : Advantages and Disadvantages

The RS232 (Recommended Standard 232) and RS2485 (Recommended Standard 485) are simple forms of serial communication protocols used to transmit and receive data. The data can be transmitted via serial or parallel, the main advantage of parallel communication is that the data can be transferred very fast and the disadvantages are cost per bit will be high and also the crosstalk between the wires will represent that there may be a greater chance of data corruption when transferring long distances. So, in the Oder to overcome all the disadvantages of parallel communication, serial communication has been implemented. This article discusses the difference between RS232 and RS485 serial communication protocols. 

What are RS232 and RS485?

The RS232 and RS485 are the recommended standard protocols used to exchange the data between nodes. The recommended standard 232 is widely used for computer serial interface peripheral connections and it is established by EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance). The recommended standard 485 is also called as EIA-485 or TIA-485 serial communication method. 

Difference between RS232 and RS485

The difference between RS232 and RS485 mainly includes the basics of RS232 & RS484, and its main differences are listed in the tabular form.

Basics of RS232

It is used for data storage, mouse, printers, modems, and many other peripheral devices. It transmits signals from positive and negative voltages for binary 0 and binary 1. The standard form of DTE is Data Terminal Equipment, a common example of this is a computer. The standard form of DCE is Data Communication Equipment, a common example of this is a modem. One common example that many people probably know that is a computer connected to a printer, the RS232 is widely used for printers in working places.

The RS232 protocol allows the system or computer to give commands to the printer via a voltage signal, then the printer receives the commands and completes the print. Some of the disadvantages of RS232 are the speed of the data can be transferred around 20 kilobytes per second, and the maximum length of cable is about 50 feet. 

Basics of RS485

The RS485 is also a form of serial communication faster than RS232. The specifications and configurations of RS485 make faster and extend the data transmission range. Its maximum cable length is 1200 meters that are about 4000 feet. It doesn’t have a standard connector, so many times the old DB-9 connector is used. In place of a connector, terminal strips were used in some applications. It is versatile and faster than RS232, and the greatest feature of this standard is that you can connect up to 32 devices on one system. 

Main Difference Between RS232 and RS485

The difference between RS232 and RS485 is shown in the below table 

 Advantages of RS232 

The advantages of RS232 are 

• It is widely used for point to point connection between DCE and DTE devices
• Low cost
• Due to its simplicity, the interface RS232 is supported in many devices
• It is free from noise 

Disadvantages of RS232 

The disadvantages of RS232 are 

• Bandwidth is low
• Cable length is limited
• Power consumption increases 

Advantages of RS485

The advantages of RS2485 are 

• Communication is faster
• The signal level interface is low
• Data transmission speed is maximum
• Good noise immunity
• Due to the balanced transmission line, it supports multiple slaves and a single master 

Disadvantages of RS485 

The advantages of RS485 are 

• Only one node can transmit data at a time
• Special communication cable is needed 

In this article, the difference between RS232 and RS485, advantages and disadvantages of RS232, advantages, and disadvantages of RS485, basics of RS232, basics of RS485 are discussed. Here is a question for you, what are the features of RS232 and RS485?