Do I need a serial converter for RS232 Arduino TX/RX

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

I have a solar inverter that has a Female RS232 port.
Using a normal RS232 to USB serial Cable with either a CH340 chip or CP210 chip works perfectly fine on a raspberry pi. This confirms that the inverter is following the RS232 standard as far as TX/RX goes Pin2 and Pin3 on the male side.

If I connect the inverter's GND with Arduino and the TX to RX and RX to TX on the Arduino is there a possibility that it would damage the arduino which is 5V or even an ESP32 which is 3.3V?

I'm trying to figure out if a TTL converter is necessary for Serial to serial. Or is it only necessary for USB to serial interfaces ?

2

Yes, TTL to RS232 converter is necessary.

3

Thanks for confirming!

4

While the voltage on e.g. UNO is 0-5V and ESP32 is 0-3.3V, RS232 can be -15V - +15V. It can reliably damage any MCU.

5

Got you. I thought as much. Pity because its not easy to find a TTL converter that has a male connector. Most of them are female. I could probably just wire one together. Ideally looking for a "clean" solution.

Will continue searing

6

If you can't find a converter with the right gender, consider a 99 cent solution - google Gender Changer, and pick what you want.
EDIT
Try googling "RS232 gender changer" - to avoid the obvious misdirect.

7

There is the male-male coupler.

8

Thanks for the Tip! will consider that as well

9

Try keywords TTL converter DTE (data terminal equipment) versus DCE (data comms equipment).

10

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