In electric and thermal metering, field engineers often face a frustrating problem: different meter brands use different communication protocols and optical interfaces, and data collection devices frequently fail to work on certain operating systems due to driver incompatibility. The Tespro TP-USB optical probe was designed to solve exactly these problems. First developed by Tespro and continuously improved over nearly twenty years, it has become a mature and widely used meter data collection tool. The TP-USB optical probe uses an original UK‑based FTDI USB chip, a globally recognized high‑quality USB bridge chip, enabling plug‑and‑play support across all operating systems. Whether Windows, Linux, or macOS, no additional drivers are required, greatly simplifying on‑site deployment complexity.
The compatibility of the TP-USB optical probe is one of its most outstanding advantages. It works with nearly all types of electric and thermal meters, supporting multiple mainstream communication protocols including IEC 62056‑21, ANSI C12.18, and DL/T‑645. Whether using the DL/T‑645 protocol for domestic meters or IEC or ANSI standards for international projects, the TP-USB probe reliably reads data. Several sub‑models are available for different protocol standards: TP‑USB‑IEC for IEC 62056‑21 compliant meters, TP‑USB‑ANSI‑N and TP‑USB‑ANSI‑S for ANSI C12.18 compliant meters, TP‑USB‑ANSI‑U for RS232‑DTR controlled universal meters, and TP‑USB‑IR645 for DL/T‑645‑97/07 compliant domestic meters.
Does the TP-USB optical probe affect normal meter operation or metering accuracy?
No. Tespro TP-USB optical probe exchanges data via infrared through the meter's communication port, operating in a passive read mode without any electrical interference to the metering circuit, so normal meter operation and accuracy remain completely unaffected.
The TP-USB optical probe supports ultra‑high communication speeds up to 115,200 bps and features a transparent transfer mode for good integration with various meters. Physically, it uses a USB‑2.0 Type‑A male connector with a standard 2‑meter cable, with 3‑meter, 4‑meter, or 5‑meter options available for different site conditions. The probe uses strong magnetic adhesion compliant with IEC 62056‑21, holding firmly to the meter's infrared communication port without accidental detachment. For operations teams that frequently switch between different meter brands and protocols, the broad compatibility and plug‑and‑play nature of the TP-USB optical probe significantly improve efficiency and reduce training costs.
