Most Thermo Scientific instruments are connected to the PC or each other through USB. Some instruments (such as detectors that acquire data at high rates) require USB 2.0 connections. Other instruments can be connected to USB 1.1 connections as well.

Some Thermo Scientific instruments have a built-in USB hub. The hub may be USB 2.0 or 1.1; it may be powered or unpowered.

The following guidelines must be observed when connecting modules through USB:

  • Modules with a USB 2.0 connection must be connected directly to the PC (recommended for detectors) or to another module with a USB 2.0 hub.
  • Modules with a USB 1.1 connection can be connected directly to the PC or another module with any kind of USB hub.
  • A powered hub continues to function when the module is switched off, maintaining communications for devices connected to the hub.
  • An unpowered hub only maintains connections while the device is switched on.

The List of Supported Instruments (see Documents folder of the installation medium) specifies what kind of USB connection an instrument requires (and provides, if it has a hub).