ISO-V2 - the isolator for HEX-V2® diagnostic interface

ISO-V2

The ISO-V2 is a new accessory for the Ross-Tech HEX-V2® diagnostic interface, designed especially for professional workshops and service centers. This device provides full galvanic isolation of the USB port, protecting both the diagnostic cable and the computer from voltage spikes and electrical interference. Thanks to its robust screw-lock USB-B connector, the connection remains secure even with frequent use in demanding environments.


The HEX-V2® diagnostic interface connects two independent electrical circuits – the vehicle circuit (OBD) and the computer circuit. Under certain circumstances, a voltage difference may occur between the vehicle ground (OBD) and the computer ground (USB). This voltage difference is then equalized through the HEX-V2® interface. As a result, a current flows through the HEX-V2® interface, which can permanently damage the protection circuits and even the processor of the HEX-V2® itself, or the USB circuitry of the computer. This typically happens in the following situations:

  • when both the vehicle charger and the computer are connected at the same time
  • when using an external computer power supply powered from the vehicle’s electrical system
  • when a metal part of the computer (for example, a screw on the bottom of the laptop) touches the positive pole of the vehicle’s battery

The ISO-V2 isolator is a device inserted between the computer’s USB port and the HEX-V2® interface. It is based on the ADuM4160 chip, which provides FULL-SPEED data transfer and electrical isolation up to 5 kV. This ensures that there is no electrical connection between the computer side and the vehicle side – signals are transmitted by inductive coupling inside the chip. An isolated DC-DC converter is also used, ensuring that each side (PC / vehicle) has its own power circuit independent of the other side. The ISO-V2 thus perfectly separates the vehicle’s electrical system from the computer’s, protecting all connected components.

Technical parameters:

Speed: FULL-SPEED (12 Mbit/s)
Maximum current: 500 mA
Protection: resettable fuse
Cable length: 220 cm
Insulation resistance: > 1 GΩ
DC-DC converter: isolated, 1 W output power, 80–90% efficiency
Compatibility: HEX-V2®, HEX-NET® (USB mode)
Power supply: 5 V (USB)