FT232RL USB to TTL Serial Converter Module
FT232RL USB to TTL Serial Converter Module
FT232RL USB to TTL Serial Converter Module
FT232RL USB to TTL Serial Converter Module

FT232RL USB to TTL Serial Converter Module

Modules
PCB531
Part.No: FT232RL
€5.95
In Stock
Immediate Dispatch
FT232RL USB to TTL Serial Converter Module – reliable FTDI-based adapter for programming Arduino Pro Mini, ESP8266, ESP32 and other microcontrollers via UART. Plug-and-play USB connection with driver support.

 

The FT232RL USB to TTL Serial Converter (MPN: FT232RL) is an FTDI-based adapter that bridges a standard USB port to a 3.3 V / 5 V TTL UART interface. It is the go-to tool for makers and engineers who need to program bootloader-less microcontroller boards, debug serial output, or communicate with UART peripherals — all through a single USB cable.

Key Features

  • FTDI FT232RL chip: Industry-proven USB-to-UART bridge → stable, glitch-free serial communication
  • Dual voltage selection (3.3 V / 5 V): Onboard jumper or solder bridge selects logic level → compatible with both 5 V Arduino boards and 3.3 V ESP8266/ESP32/RPi targets
  • USB Full-Speed (12 Mbps): Enumerated as a virtual COM port (VCP) by the OS → no special application needed, works with any serial terminal
  • TX/RX indicator LEDs: Visual feedback on data activity → instant debugging aid
  • Compact module format: Standard 2.54 mm pin headers → easy to breadboard or permanently wire into a project

Pinout & Wiring

PINSymbolDescription
1GNDGround – connect to target GND
2CTSClear To Send (flow control, optional)
3VCC3.3 V or 5 V power output (selected by jumper)
4TXDTransmit data → connect to target RXD
5RXDReceive data → connect to target TXD
6DTRData Terminal Ready – used for auto-reset on Arduino Pro Mini

Wiring note: Always cross TXD→RXD and RXD→TXD. Set the voltage jumper to match your target board before connecting. The DTR pin connected through a 100 nF capacitor to the target RESET pin enables automatic sketch upload on Arduino Pro Mini.

Compatibility

  • Arduino Pro Mini (5 V / 3.3 V): Primary use case — set VCC jumper to match the board variant and connect DTR for auto-reset.
  • ESP8266 (NodeMCU bare module, Wemos D1 Mini without USB): Set jumper to 3.3 V; GPIO0 to GND for flash mode.
  • ESP32 (bare modules): Set jumper to 3.3 V; IO0 to GND + EN pulse to enter bootloader.
  • Raspberry Pi / other 3.3 V SBCs: UART console or serial peripheral debug — set jumper to 3.3 V.
  • GPS, Bluetooth, GSM UART modules: Direct serial bridge between module and PC for configuration or monitoring.

Typical Applications

  • Programming Arduino Pro Mini: The most common reason hobbyists reach for this module — the Pro Mini has no onboard USB, so the FT232RL fills that role instantly.
  • Flashing ESP8266/ESP32 firmware: Upload custom firmware or MicroPython images without a dedicated programmer.
  • Serial debugging: Connect the TX line of any microcontroller to the RX of this module and read live debug output in a terminal on your PC.
  • GPS module configuration: Communicate directly with u-blox or SiRF GPS receivers to change baud rate, update rate or protocol settings.
  • Robotics & DIY projects: Provide a serial console interface for custom embedded boards that lack native USB.

Technical Specifications

Interface (Host side)USB Type-A (Full-Speed, 12 Mbps)
Interface (Device side)UART TTL (TXD, RXD, CTS, DTR)
Logic Voltage3.3 V / 5 V (selectable)
Converter ChipFTDI FT232RL
OS SupportWindows, macOS, Linux (VCP driver)
BrandOEM
MPNFT232RL
EANN/A

FAQ

Q: Do I need to install drivers?
A: On most modern Linux distributions and macOS the FT232RL is detected automatically. On Windows you may need to install the FTDI VCP driver from the official FTDI website.

Q: Can I power my target board from this module's VCC pin?
A: The VCC pin supplies the selected voltage (3.3 V or 5 V) sourced from USB. It can power small microcontroller boards at low current, but it is not intended as a high-current supply — avoid connecting power-hungry peripherals directly.

Package contents: 1 × FT232RL USB to TTL module.
⚠ Important: Always verify the voltage jumper setting matches your target device's logic level before connecting. Applying 5 V signals to a 3.3 V-only device may cause permanent damage.
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