Owner's Manual

Link Adapter
Model Name

TCB-SS1UU-E

● This product is intended to be used in combination with a PC in which the service tool (air conditioner
operation analysis software for servicing) is installed.
 Link Adapter Owner's Manual

Table of Contents
1 Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Specifications and Bundled Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3 Set-up Before Use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Setting up this unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Installing the device driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installing the terminal software (PuTTY). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 Functions of This Product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Models that can be connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
What this unit can do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Name and function of each part. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5 Restrictions on Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Functional restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
6 Usage Method of Each Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Changing the date and time to be save in the microSDHC™ card. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Relaying UART communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Relaying Uv line communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Checking the COM port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Saving UART communication or Uv line communication data in the
microSDHC™ card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Working with files in the microSDHC™ card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
7 Installation and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

1-EN
Link Adapter Owner's Manual

1 Safety Precautions
• Read these “Safety Precautions” carefully before installation.
• The precautions described below include important items regarding safety.

Display Description Symbol Description

Indicates “Content that is expected indicates prohibited actions. Specifically
to result in death or serious injury
WARNING (*1) to the user in the case of
prohibited contents are indicated with a
picture and/or text in or near the symbol.
incorrect handling”.

Indicates “Content that is expected indicates instructions which must be

to result in minor injury (*2) to the followed. The actual contents of the
CAUTION user or damage to property (*3) in instructions are indicated with a picture and/or
the case of incorrect handling”. text in or near the symbol.
*1: Serious injury refers to lasting after effects such as blindness, injury, burns (high temperature / low temperature), electric
shock, bone fracture, or poisoning, etc. and injuries that require hospitalization/long-term outpatient treatment.
*2: Minor injury refers to injuries, burns, or electric shocks, etc. that do not require hospitalization or long-term outpatient
treatment.
*3: Damage to property refers to extended damage related to houses, household goods, livestock, or pets, etc.

WARNING
Do not modify the product. Ask an authorized dealer or qualified
Doing so may cause fire or electric shock. installation professional to install or
reinstall this unit.
Inappropriate installation may result in electric
Prohibited Instructions shock or fire.
Electrical work must be performed by a Be sure to turn off all main power supply
qualified electrician in accordance with switches before starting any electrical
this installation manual. work.
The work must satisfy all local, national Failure to do so may result in electric shock.
Instructions and international regulations. Instructions
Inappropriate work may result in electric shock
or fire.
Do not swallow the coin cell battery. This equipment is compliant with Class A
If swallowed, the coin cell battery initiates a of CISPR 32. In a residential environment
chemical reaction that may damage your body. this equipment may cause radio interface.

Instructions Instructions
Do not use this device in locations where
children may be present.

Prohibited

CAUTION
Do not install the product in a place where In installation work, use wiring with the
combustible gas may leak. correct ampacity.
Gas leaking and accumulating around the Failure to do so may result in excessive heat or
product may cause a fire. fire.
Prohibited Instructions
Use specified cables and connect them The product does not have a waterproof/
securely, and do not subject connecting dustproof structure. Do not use it in a
terminals to external force. place where it may become wet, such as
Doing so may result in cable disconnection, an outdoor location, or in a dusty place.
Instructions excessive heat or fire. Prohibited Doing so may cause fire or electric shock.

2-EN
 Link Adapter Owner's Manual

2 Specifications and Bundled Items

Specifications
AC220-240V / 50Hz, 60mA
Power supply
5 VDC (input to USB connector), 1.3 A
Operating temperature and
-20 to 55 °C, 85% RH or less
humidity ranges
Storage temperature range -30 to 60 °C
Chassis material ABS, UL94 5VA
Dimensions W: 70 × H: 40 × D: 207mm
Mass Approx. 350 g

Bundled items
No. Part name Quantity Remark

1 Link Adapter 1 -

2 Power cable 1 For air conditioner board connection, 1 m

3 Air conditioner connection cable 1 6pin, 1 m

4 Uv line connection cable 1 2-pin, 1 m (single end) without connector

5 USB type-C cable 1 3m

6 microSDHC™ card* 1 Capacity: 16 GB, SDHC, UHS-I, Class 10, FAT32 formatted

7 SD card conversion socket 1 -

8 Explanatory leaflet 1 -

9 Lithium button cell 1 CR2032, already attached to the main unit

* When replacing the microSDHC™ card, use a product of the following specifications.
Capacity: 8 to 32 GB, SDHC, UHS-I, Class 10, FAT32 formatted

3-EN
Link Adapter Owner's Manual

3 Set-up Before Use

Before using the Link Adapter (hereinafter this unit or the unit), you need to set it up as described below.

Set up this unit.

• Connect the power cable.
• Attach the microSDHC™ card.
Install the device driver to the personal computer (hereinafter the PC) to be connected.
Install the terminal software (PuTTY) to the PC to be connected.

3-1. Setting up this unit

(1) Loosen the two screws at the front and rear.
●Note
• Use a Phillips-head screwdriver of the PH1 size.
• The screws do not come off completely.

(2) Insert a flathead screwdriver or other appropriate

tool into the groove, and open the unit.
●Note
• Put tape or other appropriate material on the tip of the
flathead screwdriver not to damage the unit.
• The recommended size of the flathead screwdriver is
SL8.
• The parts at the top and bottom are connected with a
cable. Do not pull it forcefully.

(3) Remove the screw of the clamp.

(4) Connect the power cable to the connector.

4-EN
 Link Adapter Owner's Manual

(5) Attach the clamp to the power cable, and fasten it

with the mounting screw.
Clamp
●Note
• Tighten the screw until it stops turning.
• Make sure that the cable is not straightened out.

(6) Attach the microSDHC™ card.

●Note
Push the card until it clicks into place.

Socket

(7) Close the unit, and tighten the two screws.

●Note
When closing the unit, be careful not to get the cable
microSDHC™ caught in the chassis.

3-2. Installing the device driver

To accomplish communication with this unit connected to a PC via the USB-COM connector, you need to install the device
driver.
This unit uses CP2105 from Silicon Labs as the USB serial conversion IC.
Have a PC connected to the Internet, and download the device driver for your operating system from the URL shown below.

<CP210x USB to UART Bridge VCP Drivers>

https://www.silabs.com/products/development-tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers

3-3. Installing the terminal software (PuTTY)

To set up this unit, you need to install the PuTTY software.
Have a PC connected to the Internet, and download the software for your operating system from the URL shown below.

<Download PuTTY>
https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/

5-EN
Link Adapter Owner's Manual

4 Functions of This Product

4-1. Models that can be connected
You can connect the product to any model that supports the service tool (PC software).

4-2. What this unit can do

The major features of this unit are as follows.
• Converts the communication data (UART or Uv line) output by the air conditioner into PC communication data.
• Saves the communication data (UART or Uv line) output by the air conditioner to the built-in microSDHC™ card.
• Lets you confirm whether this unit is receiving the signal output by the air conditioner, by checking the LED on the unit.
• Lets you collect the communication data of the air conditioner and set the air conditioner by using this unit in combination
with the service tool (PC software).

If you connect the accompanying cables to the relevant USB connectors, the following functions are available from the PC.

No. Function Communication (COM) port Connected USB connector

UART communication relay (using the air
1 conditioner connection cable)
Standard COM Port

Uv line communication relay USB-COM

2 (using the Uv line connection cable) Enhanced COM Port
3 Date/time setting
Operations on the files in the microSDHC™ card
4 inserted in this unit and system formatting
— USB 2.0

This unit can record the communication data of the air conditioner in the inserted microSDHC™ card without being
connected to the PC. To use the unit, connect it to the default power supply. (P.19)
For logging, connect either the air conditioner connection cable or Uv line connection cable to the air conditioner.
If you perform logging with both cables connected, you may not be able to save the data correctly.

SD ACCESS indicator
Setting
LED
No. Function
Operation Before After
What to do Operation
button setting setting
Blink at 0.5-
Press down the button Start of
UART/Uv line communication Off second
SW1 for 4 seconds or more. logging
logging intervals
[SD write
5 * Logging cannot be performed
operation Press down the button
for the UART and Uv lines switch] for 4 seconds or more Stop of
simultaneously. Blink Off
while the SD ACCESS logging
indicator LED is blinking.

●Note
If an error occurs during communication logging, the SD ACCESS indicator LED blinks at shorter intervals (0.2 seconds).

Error examples
• The microSDHC™ card is not inserted.
• The microSDHC™ card has no free space.
• The microSDHC™ card is damaged.
• The microSDHC™ card is not formatted.
If an error occurs, stop logging by holding down SW1 for 4 seconds and check the following.
• Whether the microSDHC™ card is inserted
• Whether the microSDHC™ card has sufficient free space
• Whether the microSDHC™ card is formatted in FAT32

6-EN
 Link Adapter Owner's Manual

4-3. Name and function of each part

207 (Unit: mm)
5 6 1 2 3 4

70

40 8

12 11 10 9
13
No. Name Function
Indicates the status of the UART communication. This LED blinks when
UART (green) the unit receives a signal from the air conditioner via the air conditioner
connection cable. At other times, it is off.
Indicates the communication status of the Uv line. This LED blinks when
Uv (orange) the unit receives a signal from the air conditioner via the Uv line
1 Indicator LED
connection cable. At other times, it is off.
Indicates the status of access to the microSDHC™ card inserted in this
SD unit. This LED is off when logging is stopped. It blinks at 0.5-second
(red)
ACCESS intervals when logging is in progress or at 0.2-second intervals when an
error occurs.
Used to perform the operation of starting and stopping data writing to the
2 SW1: SD write operation switch
microSDHC™ card inserted in this unit.
3 Indicator LED - (Not used in this product.)
4 Power LED (green) Turns on when power is supplied.
5 Indicator LED - (Not used in this product.)
- (Not used in this product.)
6 Operation switch * Pressing this switch causes the indicator LED of 5 to blink. It does not
affect the operation of the product.
Used to fasten the upper and lower cases. (A screw anti-drop
7 Case fastening screws
mechanism is provided.)
8 Power cable port A port through which to insert the accompanying power cable.
Used to connect the accompanying Uv line communication cable, which
9 Uv line communication connector is in turn connected to the indoor/outdoor communication terminal of the
air conditioner.
Connected to the PC to access the microSDHC™ card inserted in this
10 USB type-C connector (USB 2.0)
unit.
Connected to the PC to read communication data from the Uv or UART
11 USB type-C connector (USB-COM)
line.
Used to connect the accompanying air conditioner communication
12 UART communication connector cable, which is in turn connected to the UART connector of the air
conditioner.
13 Fixing magnets Used to install the unit to an air conditioner.

7-EN
Link Adapter Owner's Manual

5 Restrictions on Use
5-1. Functional restrictions
The operational restrictions regarding microSDHC™ card access are as follows.
• While communication logging is used, the microSDHC™ card cannot be accessed.
• If communication logging is started while the microSDHC™ card is being accessed, the microSDHC™ card access is
interrupted. To resume the microSDHC™ card access, stop communication logging and then connect to the USB 2.0
connector again.

Uv line reception One of the two

OR Communication logging

UART reception Link

Adapter

USB 2.0 connection microSDHC™ card access

• File operation
• System formatting

8-EN
 Link Adapter Owner's Manual

6 Usage Method of Each Function

6-1. Changing the date and time to be save in the
microSDHC™ card
When communication data is saved in the microSDHC™ card, the date and time managed by this unit are also recorded.
Therefore, check whether the date and time of this unit match those of your locality and set them as necessary. This unit is
factory-set to the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). If you change the date and time, the timer resumes counting from the
changed value.
* To check and set the date and time of this unit, use the terminal software that you have downloaded and installed to your
PC.
This unit has a built-in button cell to retain this information. Replace the cell before it runs out. If you start the unit after
the cell has run out, the date and time are set to 2020/1/1 0:00.

The following table shows the commands that you can use with the terminal software when you have this unit connected to
the PC via the USB-COM connector.

Command Description Usage example

>date → Displays the date.
date Displays or sets the date. date: 2020/01/01
>date 20200313 → Sets 2020/03/13.
>time → Displays the time.
rtc: 00:08:33
time Displays or sets the time.
rtos: 00:08:33.109
>time 1433 → Sets 14:33.

9-EN
Link Adapter Owner's Manual

The operation method for setting the time using PuTTY as the terminal software is described below.

1 Connect to the PC.

(1) Start the PC.
(2) Set up a USB connection between this unit and the PC using the USB-COM connector.

2 Check the COM port.

(1) Open [Control Panel]-[Device Manager].
●Note
For Windows 10
By right-clicking the Window button in the lower left of the PC screen, you can open [Device Manager].

(2) Click [Ports (COM & LPT)].

(3) Record the port number shown in [Enhanced COM Port].

(1)

(2) (3)

10-EN
 Link Adapter Owner's Manual

3 Set PuTTY.
(1) Start the PuTTY.
(2) Choose [Session].
(3) In [Connection type], choose [Serial].
(4) In [Serial line], enter the port number shown in [Enhanced COM Port].
(5) In [Speed], set 115200.
(6) Click [Open].

(2)

(4) (5)

(3)

(6)

4 Check the settings.

(1) Press the ESC key on the keyboard.
The command input window (>) appears.

(2) Type [date], and press the ENTER key.

The current date set in this unit is displayed.

(3) Type [time], and press the ENTER key.

The current time set in this unit is displayed.

11-EN
Link Adapter Owner's Manual

5 Set the date and time.

Change the date and time when you switch to the summer time or a different time zone as you travel from one country to
another.
(1) Type the date you want to set, and press the ENTER
key.
Example: When setting 2020/04/28
>date 20200428
+
ENTER key on the keyboard

The entered value is registered as the current date.

(2) Type the time you want to set, and press the ENTER
key.
Example: When setting 14:33
>time 1433
+
ENTER key on the keyboard

The entered value is registered as the current time.

●Note
The time displayed for the data saved in the
microSDHC™ card is recorded based on these
settings.

6 Check the settings.

As in step 4, you can check the registered settings
using the [date] and [time] commands (Refer to
page 11.).

12-EN
 Link Adapter Owner's Manual

7 Finish the settings.

(1) Type [exit], and press the ENTER key.
Finish the settings.

(2) (2) Click [ ] to close PuTTY.

13-EN
Link Adapter Owner's Manual

6-2. Relaying UART communication

Convert the UART communication of the air conditioner to USB serial communication.
To accomplish serial communication with this unit, configure the PC as follows.

Refer to “Checking the COM port” (Refer to

Serial line (COM)
page 15.).
Baud rate of the UART communication of the
Speed (baud)
connected destination
Data bits 8
Stop bits 1
Parity None

6-3. Relaying Uv line communication

Convert the Uv line communication of the air conditioner to USB serial communication.
To accomplish serial communication with this unit, configure the PC as follows.

Refer to “Checking the COM port” (Refer to

Serial line (COM)
page 15.).
Speed (baud) 115, 200
Data bits 8
Stop bits 1
Parity None

14-EN
 Link Adapter Owner's Manual

6-4. Checking the COM port

1 Connect to the PC.
(1) Start the PC.
(2) Set up a USB connection between this unit and the PC using the USB-COM connector.

2 Check the COM port.

(1) Open [Control Panel]-[Device Manager].
●Note
For Windows 10
By right-clicking the Window button in the lower left of the PC screen, you can open [Device Manager].

(2) Click [Ports (COM & LPT)].

(3) Record the port number.
• UART communication: [Standard COM Port]
• Uv line communication: [Enhanced COM Port]

(1)

(2) (3)

15-EN
Link Adapter Owner's Manual

6-5. Saving UART communication or Uv line

communication data in the microSDHC™ card
By operating the SW1 button (Refer to page 6.), you can have this unit record the Uv line or UART communication data
received from the air conditioner in its microSDHC™ card. The air conditioner-side communication destinations
corresponding to this function and their baud rates are as follows.

Air conditioner-side
Speed (baud) [bps]
communication destination
UART 38,400/115,200
Uv line 9,600/19,200

* The baud rate does not need to be set.

The standard number of days for logging is approx. 2 month in the case of an 16-GB microSDHC™ card.
Logging stops when the card runs out of free space.
It is recommended to copy necessary recorded data to the PC before deleting data from the microSDHC™ card.

6-6. Working with files in the microSDHC™ card

Using a PC running on the supported operating system shown below, you can format the system of the microSDHC™ card
inserted in this unit and read and write recorded data to and from the card.

Windows 10

If you connect this unit to the PC via the USB 2.0 connector, this function recognizes the unit as a USB drive.
Using Explorer or some other tool, you can directly access the data in the microSDHC™ card of this unit.

For system formatting, specify FAT32 as the file system.

The recorded data is not deleted. To delete the recorded data, use Explorer.

16-EN
 Link Adapter Owner's Manual

7 Installation and Wiring

Caution
Do not install this product in the places described below.
Wet or dusty place Place subject to high temperature
This product does not have a waterproof or Do not install the product in or near a place
dustproof structure. Install it in a place where it subject to high temperature. Otherwise, a
does not get wet, such as inside the controller
Prohibition Prohibition failure may result.
box or in an indoor location.

Noise source
Install the unit and cables as far away from a
noise source as possible.
Prohibition

Avoid wiring as shown below. Otherwise, the Link Adapter or air conditioner may malfunction or fail.
Noise source
Avoid running the cable over the board if
possible.
Prohibition

17-EN
Link Adapter Owner's Manual

7-1. Installation
Install the unit to an air conditioner or other equipment using the magnets provided on its rear side.

Example of installing the Link Adapter inside the controller box of the outdoor unit

Example of installing the Link Adapter inside the indoor Example of installing the Link Adapter outside the
unit indoor unit

18-EN
 Link Adapter Owner's Manual

7-2. Wiring
Connecting the power cable
To take power from the air conditioner, connect the power cable to the dedicated connector (yellow).
Do not connect it to a circuit breaker, wall outlet, or other commercial power supply.
When power is supplied to the USB type-C connector (USB-COM/USB2.0), connect the power cable to a USB port capable
of supplying 5 V at 1.3 A or more.

When using the power cable When supplying power to the USB type-C connector

Connect the power cable to the yellow connector on the air Adapter, mobile battery, etc.
conditioner board.

Connecting the UART wire

Connect the wire to the outdoor unit board using the accompanying air conditioner connection cable.

Where to connect the air conditioner connection cable

Connect the cable to the connector on the air conditioner board that corresponds to the connector shape of the
accompanying cable.

19-EN
Link Adapter Owner's Manual

Connecting the Uv line communication wires

Connect the wires to the U1 and U2 terminals of the Uv line using the accompanying Uv line connection cables.
When extending the communication wires, follow the instructions given below.

Where to connect the Uv line connection cables

U1 U2 A B

Connect the Uv line connection cables to the communication terminal block (U1 and U2) of the air conditioner.

Extended wire specifications

Number of cores 2 cores, non-polar

Type Unshielded
Extension length 1.25 to 1.5 mm2 20 m max.

20-EN
DEB8900502-1