The Problem: The USB Interface Was Not Designed for Industrial Environments

The USB interface was originally designed to give home computer users a universal method for connecting peripherals. Over time, USB has become the most common interface and has migrated to products targeting industrial applications.However, the USB mechanical connector was designed to be quickly connected and disconnected and did not include a locking mechanism. As a result, accidental cable disconnection is the single most common point of failure with USB industrial I/O devices.

The Solution: Sealevel SeaLATCH Connectors Provide a Secure USB Connection

The thumbscrew on a SeaLATCH USB cable provides a secure metal-to-metal connection preventing accidental disconnection. Patent-pending SeaLATCH connectors are fully compatible with standard USB cables.

Sealevel incorporates SeaLATCH locking USB ports (shown below) on many Sealevel USB I/O devices.

Sealevel SeaLATCH Locking USB Cables

Item# CA332 – 72" USB cable with both SeaLATCH type A and type B USB connectors
The CA332 secures both ends of the cable to devices with SeaLATCH locking USB ports and offers complete protection against accidental cable disconnection.

Item# CA356 – 72" USB cable with SeaLATCH type B and standard type A connectors
The CA356 provides a secure connection between Sealevel products with a SeaLATCH type B USB port and legacy USB products with a standard USB type A port. This cable is included with Sealevel devices that have a SeaLATCH type B USB port.

Item# CA355 – 72" USB cable with standard type B and SeaLATCH type A connectors
The CA355 provides a secure connection between legacy USB products with a standard USB type B port and Sealevel products with a SeaLATCH USB type A port. This optional cable is ideal for use with Sealevel’s optically isolated USB hub (Item# 270U) and Relio industrial computers incorporating the SeaLATCH USB type A port.

SeaLATCH locking USB cables are fully compatible with standard USB cables. If a SeaLATCH USB cable is lost or damaged, any standard USB cable can be used in its place.

Sealevel Products with SeaLATCH Locking USB Ports

Sealevel USB products allow you to monitor and control serial and digital I/O from any USB-equipped computer. SeaLATCH locking USB ports are integrated into a number of products including an isolated USB hub (Item# 270U), the popular SeaI/O USB family of data acquisition modules, and industrial computers. Look for SeaLATCH ports on all future Sealevel USB I/O products.

• SeaI/O SeaLATCH Equipped Isolated USB Hub
Voltage spikes, power surges, and ground loops that affect traditional serial interfaces also affect USB devices. The SeaI/O-270U is an optically isolated USB hub that connects up to seven USB peripherals and protects the host computer from voltages up to 1500 VAC.

SeaI/O-270U – Optically Isolated 7-Port USB Hub

• SeaI/O SeaLATCH Equipped USB Data Acquisition Modules
Sealevel's USB SeaI/O data acquisition modules provide powerful digital, analog, and serial expansion to any computer allowing you to add the functionality required for your particular application. Multiple units can be daisy chained using convenient pass-through connectors to create a versatile distributed control and monitoring network.

SeaI/O-410U – 16 Isolated Inputs and 16 Reed Relay Outputs
SeaI/O-420U – 16 Isolated Inputs and 8 Form C Relay Outputs
SeaI/O-430U – 32 Optically Isolated Inputs
SeaI/O-440U – 32 Reed Relay Outputs
SeaI/O-450U – 16 Form C Relay Outputs
SeaI/O-462U – 96 Channel TTL Digital Interface (DB78)
SeaI/O-463U – 96 Channel TTL Digital Interface (IDC50)
SeaI/O-470U – 16 A/D, 2 D/A, 8 24V Output, 8 Isolated Inputs Multifunction Interface
SeaI/O-520U – 8 Isolated Inputs and 8 High-Current Form C Relay Outputs

• SeaI/O SeaLATCH Equipped USB Serial Expansion Modules
SeaI/O USB serial expansion modules provide an easy way to add multiple serial ports to a host via the popular SeaI/O module footprint. Serial expansion modules are offered with four or eight serial ports, and external power is fused and connected to pin 5 on each of the RJ45 connectors for conveniently powering serial peripherals. SeaI/O USB serial expansion modules are perfect for adding serial ports to a SeaI/O data acquisition "stack" or a Relio R1000 embedded solid-state industrial computer.

SeaI/O-641U – 4-Port RS-232 RJ45 Serial Interface
SeaI/O-647U – 4-Port RS-232, RS-485 RJ45 VersaCom Serial Interface
SeaI/O-681U – 8-Port RS-232 RJ45 Serial Interface
SeaI/O-687U – 8-Port RS-232, RS-485 RJ45 VersaCom Serial Interface

• SeaDAC Lite SeaLATCH Equipped USB Digital I/O Modules
SeaDAC Lite USB digital I/O modules provide a low I/O count solution in a small, rugged enclosure. Models are available with optically isolated inputs and Reed or Form C relay outputs. SeaDAC Lite modules are powered by the USB port, eliminating external power supplies.

SeaDAC Lite DIO-8 - 4 Optically Isolated Inputs / 4 Reed Relay Outputs
SeaDAC Lite PLC-8 - 4 Optically Isolated Inputs / 4 Form C Relay Outputs
SeaDAC Lite ISO-4 - 4 Optically Isolated Inputs
SeaDAC Lite REL-4 - 4 Reed Relay Outputs
SeaDAC Lite REL-4C - 4 Form C Relay Outputs

• SeaLINK SeaLATCH Equipped USB DIN Rail Serial Adapters
Offering designers the choice of one or two serial ports, SeaLINK serial devices are the perfect way to connect peripherals such as barcode scanners, serial displays, and data acquisition modules to any USB port. Each DB9M serial port is configurable for RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 via dip switches accessible through the case, and optical isolation protects the host computer from damaging voltage surges and ground loops commonly found in industrial and OEM applications.

SeaLINK+I.DIN - Isolated 1-Port RS-232/422/485 Serial Interface Adapter
SeaLINK+2I.DIN - Isolated 2-Port RS-232/422/485 Serial Interface Adapter

(Coming Soon!) Sealevel SeaLATCH Equipped USB Products

Sealevel is developing new products with SeaLATCH locking USB ports. Look for SeaLATCH locking USB connectors on new serial adapters, digital I/O modules, industrial computers and touchscreen HMI solutions. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and stay informed as we release new products.

Invitation to OEM Manufacturers to Adopt SeaLATCH USB Design

Sealevel invites OEM manufacturers to adopt SeaLATCH locking USB ports and cables in your hardware designs. If you’re interested in integrating SeaLATCH USB ports into your enclosure or purchasing SeaLATCH USB cables, contact Sealevel for more information. Custom length SeaLATCH locking USB cables are also available for OEM customers with low minimum order quantities, call +1 (864) 843-4343 (USA) for details.