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The Keithley KPCI-488LPA and KUSB-488B are IEEE-488 (GPIB) interface solutions that add standard IEEE-488.2 bus control to a PC system. The KPCI-488LPA is a low-profile, 32-bit/33 MHz PCI bus compatible plug-in card whose PCI interface supports both 3.3V and 5V environments, making it suitable for most desktop computers and industrial PCs, including low-profile desktop systems. The KUSB-488B is a USB-to-GPIB interface that turns any computer with a USB port into a fully functional GPIB controller, featuring a compact form factor and a built-in 2-meter USB cable.
These interfaces are intended for use with automated test equipment in laboratory and industrial applications. They can control as many as 14 GPIB instruments or other devices over a distance of up to 20 meters. The KUSB-488B's small form factor makes it suitable for use with laptop computers in portable applications or for applications where the computer has no available PCI plug-in board slots. Both products are compatible with any standard GPIB instrument and with Keithley's GPIB-capable instruments.
ValueTronics International stocks, tests, and ships GPIB interface adapters and related test and measurement accessories from a 20,000 sq ft secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive, Elgin, Illinois. Each {{CONDITION}} unit is handled in-house by our team — not drop-shipped from a third party — which lets us verify configuration, confirm included items, and answer specific application questions before the product leaves our facility.
Keithley Instruments was founded in 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio. The company was acquired by Danaher Corporation in 2010 and, following Danaher's 2016 spin-off of its industrial businesses, became part of Fortive Corporation alongside Tektronix. Keithley-branded instruments and accessories continue to be produced under that lineage, which is why some current literature carries Tektronix Company branding.
The Keithley GPIB interface family covers the two most common PC-to-instrument connection paths: an internal PCI plug-in card (KPCI-488LPA) and an external USB-to-GPIB adapter (KUSB-488B). Both deliver IEEE-488.2 control of standard GPIB instruments, both support 1.5 MByte/s transfer rates, and both ship with the same Windows driver stack and Application Development Environment support.
The choice between the two is primarily a question of host PC architecture and portability. The KPCI-488LPA installs inside a desktop or industrial PC and supports both 3.3V and 5V PCI environments. The KUSB-488B connects through a standard USB 2.0 port with a built-in 2-meter cable, requires no external power, and is well-suited to laptops or systems without an available PCI slot.
Each new model below is its own dedicated product page with condition-matched pricing and availability. Selection between the PCI card and the USB adapter is driven by the host computer and the deployment environment, not by performance differences in IEEE-488.2 throughput.
The KPCI-488LPA is a 32-bit/33 MHz PCI bus card with dimensions of 4.7 × 2.5 in (120 × 64.5 mm) and a current draw of 400 mA typical / 750 mA maximum at 5 VDC. It supports both 3.3V and 5V PCI environments. The KUSB-488B is a USB 2.0 compliant external adapter measuring 3.2 × 2.6 × 1.1 in (81.7 × 66.1 × 27.8 mm), drawing 500 mA from the USB port with no external power required, and includes a built-in 2 m USB cable.
Both adapters share the same 1.5 MByte/s transfer speed, the same EMC compliance to European Directive 2004/108/EEC, and the same 0° to 55°C operating temperature range with 10% to 90% RH non-condensing. The comparison table below summarizes form factor, power, and environmental specifications side by side.
| Model | Bus/Form Factor | Dimensions | Power (Current @ 5VDC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPCI-488LPA | PCI | 4.7 x 2.5 in (120 x 64.5 mm) | 400 mA typ., 750 mA max. |
| KUSB-488B | USB | 3.2 x 2.6 x 1.1 in (81.7 x 66.1 x 27.8 mm) | 500 mA |
Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.
| Specification | KPCI-488LPA | KUSB-488B |
|---|---|---|
| Bus/Form Factor | PCI | USB |
| Dimensions | 4.7 × 2.5 in (120 × 64.5 mm) | 3.2 × 2.6 × 1.1 in (81.7 × 66.1 × 27.8 mm) |
| Power (Current @ 5VDC) | 400 mA typ., 750 mA max. | 500 mA |
| Transfer Speed | 1.5 Mbyte/s | 1.5 Mbyte/s |
| EMC | European Directive 2004/108/EEC | European Directive 2004/108/EEC |
| Environmental (Operating) | 0° to 55°C, 10% to 90% RH non-condensing | 0° to 55°C, 10% to 90% RH non-condensing |
| Environmental (Storage) | −20° to 80°C, 5% to 90% RH non-condensing | −20° to 80°C, 5% to 95% RH non-condensing |
Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.
Model No
Keithley
Condition
New
Manufacturer
Keithley
30+ Years in Business
Secure Payments
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30+ Years in Business
Secure Payments
Sell Test Equipments
Knowledgeable Staff
On-site Lab
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