diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-validation.yml b/.github/workflows/build-validation.yml
index cec9d70..a4c80f7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-validation.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-validation.yml
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
       - name: Set up Python
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v6
         with:
           python-version: "3.x"
       - name: Install pypa/build/pylint/requirements.txt
diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish-to-pypi.yml b/.github/workflows/publish-to-pypi.yml
index b89260d..d464352 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish-to-pypi.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish-to-pypi.yml
@@ -11,11 +11,11 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
       - name: Set up Python
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v6
         with:
           python-version: "3.x"
       - name: Install pypa/build
diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish-to-test-pypi.yml b/.github/workflows/publish-to-test-pypi.yml
index 6dfa141..bdccb3b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish-to-test-pypi.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish-to-test-pypi.yml
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
       - name: Set up Python
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v6
         with:
           python-version: "3.x"
       - name: Install pypa/build
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8fbc7b9..d378245 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -148,4 +148,7 @@ Python 3.11 or higher
 - Added getter for underlying serial object in SerialPortConnection
 
 ## 0.0.22
-- Library specific exception classes
\ No newline at end of file
+- Library specific exception classes
+
+## 0.0.23
+- Added timeout parameters to SerialPortConnection constructor
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 025823d..cac42fe 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
 [project]
 name = "science_mode_4"
-version = "0.0.22"
+version = "0.0.23"
 authors = [
   { name="Marc Hofmann", email="marc-hofmann@gmx.de" },
 ]
diff --git a/src/science_mode_4/utils/serial_port_connection.py b/src/science_mode_4/utils/serial_port_connection.py
index 8f338ef..55d5587 100644
--- a/src/science_mode_4/utils/serial_port_connection.py
+++ b/src/science_mode_4/utils/serial_port_connection.py
@@ -35,14 +35,20 @@ def list_science_mode_device_ports() -> list[serial.tools.list_ports_common.List
         return filtered_ports
 
 
-    def __init__(self, port: str, error_timeout: int = 3):
-        self._ser = serial.Serial(timeout = 0)
+    def __init__(self, port: str, read_timeout_ins_s: float = 0, write_timeout_ins_s: float = 1, error_timeout_in_s: float = 3):
+        self._ser = serial.Serial(timeout = read_timeout_ins_s, write_timeout=write_timeout_ins_s)
         self._ser.port = port
-        self._error_timeout = error_timeout
+        self._error_timeout_in_s = error_timeout_in_s
 
         self._last_written_data = bytes()
 
 
+    @property
+    def internal_serial(self) -> serial.Serial:
+        """Getter for internal pySerial object"""
+        return self._ser
+
+
     def open(self):
         self._ser.open()
 
@@ -92,7 +98,7 @@ def _read_intern(self) -> bytes:
             except Exception: # pylint:disable=broad-exception-caught
                 pass
 
-            time.sleep(self._error_timeout)
+            time.sleep(self._error_timeout_in_s)
 
             try:
                 self.open()