StarTech C9PSM DB9 Male Solder-Cup D-Sub Connector with Backshell

Overview

The StarTech C9PSM is a 9-pin male D-Sub solder-cup connector supplied with an integrated backshell — a straightforward, reliable solution for technicians who need to terminate or repair RS-232 serial cables in the field or on the bench. At 1.6 in (4.0 cm) long and weighing just 0.4 oz (12 g), it is compact enough to fit in a toolkit pouch yet substantial enough to handle repeated connector assemblies without the backshell tabs deforming.

The solder-cup termination style means you have direct control over every pin connection — no crimp tools required, just a fine-tipped iron and steady hands. That level of control matters when you are building a custom-length null-modem cable for a PTZ camera RS-232 control run or wiring a legacy serial device into a modern control rack where off-the-shelf cable lengths simply do not fit.

Key Features

• 9-Pin Male DB-9 (D-Sub) Configuration: The male pinout is the correct choice for DTE-side terminations — think PC serial ports, camera controllers, and RS-232 PTZ receivers. Using the wrong gender is the single most common field mistake; verify your device's port gender before ordering.
• Solder-Cup Termination: Each of the nine cups accepts a stripped conductor soldered directly to the pin, giving you a gas-tight, mechanically secure joint. This is the preferred method for low-volume custom builds and repair work where crimped contacts or IDC terminations are not available or not appropriate.
• Integrated Backshell: The plastic backshell covers the solder joints and provides strain relief for the cable jacket — critical for any installation where the cable will flex or be handled repeatedly. Without strain relief, thermal cycling and physical handling will eventually crack solder joints at the connector body.
• Compact 1.6 × 1.2 × 0.6 in Footprint: The finished assembly measures 1.6 in (4.0 cm) in length and 1.2 in (3.0 cm) in width, which keeps the connector profile manageable in tight equipment bays and cable trays where clearance behind a panel is limited.
• Lightweight at 0.4 oz (12 g): Negligible weight addition to any cable assembly — relevant when routing cables through conduit or overhead trays where cumulative weight matters at scale.
• Lifetime Warranty: StarTech backs the C9PSM with a lifetime warranty, which is meaningful for a connector that may be installed and forgotten inside a panel for years. If the connector fails due to a manufacturing defect, you have recourse without worrying about a support window expiring.

Integration and Compatibility

The C9PSM is compatible with any equipment using the standard DB-9 / DE-9 serial interface — RS-232 devices, PTZ camera RS-232 control ports, legacy access control panels, serial-to-IP converters, and industrial control equipment. It mates with any standard DB-9 female connector or port. Confirm the pinout requirements of your specific device before soldering; RS-232 wiring is not universal across all equipment even when the connector shell is the same.

For serial-based PTZ camera control wiring, the C9PSM pairs naturally with a DB9 female counterpart at the controller end. If your project requires multiple serial cable builds, consider stocking a small quantity — at this size and weight, bulk storage is not a concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What termination method does the C9PSM use?

A: The C9PSM uses solder-cup termination. Each pin has an open cup that you solder a stripped conductor into directly. No crimp tool is required.

Q: Does the C9PSM include a backshell for strain relief?

A: Yes. The C9PSM ships with a plastic backshell that covers the solder joints and provides cable strain relief.

Q: What is the warranty on the C9PSM?

A: StarTech provides a lifetime warranty on the C9PSM.

Q: What is the gender and pin count of the C9PSM connector?

A: The C9PSM is a 9-pin male DB-9 (D-Sub) connector — the correct gender for DTE-side serial port terminations.

Q: What are the dimensions of the assembled C9PSM connector?

A: The assembled connector measures 1.6 in (4.0 cm) long, 1.2 in (3.0 cm) wide, and 0.6 in (1.5 cm) tall, and weighs 0.4 oz (12 g).

Eden Phillips

The C9PSM comes up most often in serial PTZ control wiring and legacy device integration work — specifically where a technician needs a custom cable length that no off-the-shelf option covers. The solder-cup design gives you direct control over every one of the nine pin connections, and the integrated plastic backshell means you are not leaving those joints exposed to vibration or cable flex after the job is done.

Technical Highlights:

• Solder-Cup Termination: Direct, gas-tight joints on all nine pins — no proprietary crimp contacts to source separately, which matters when you are finishing a cable run at the end of a long installation day.
• Integrated Backshell: Covers solder joints and anchors the cable jacket for strain relief — the detail that separates a connector that lasts years from one that fails at the solder points after a few months of thermal cycling.
• Lifetime Warranty: StarTech's lifetime coverage on the C9PSM removes the risk of a support window expiring on a connector buried inside a control panel for the next decade.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm your device port gender before ordering — if the equipment has a male DB-9 port, you need a female connector at the cable end, not the C9PSM.
• The plastic backshell is adequate for standard indoor control environments, but if the connector will be exposed to high vibration or outdoor conditions, consider a metal backshell assembly instead.

For RS-232 PTZ camera control wiring, serial-to-IP converter terminations, or legacy access control panel serial interfaces where a custom cable length is unavoidable, the C9PSM is a practical, warranty-backed choice that takes about ten minutes to assemble correctly.