USB Cable Length Limitations And How To Break Them

USB Cable Length Limitations:

The USB specification limits the length of a cable between USB 2.0 devices to 5 meters
(or about 16 feet) and for USB 1.0 the limit is 3 meters (which is about 10 feet.) This
means you can't just connect a bunch of extension cables together and run them 30 feet to
another room. However, you can connect a 6 foot and 10 foot cable for a total of 16 feet.

In order to go beyond these limits you need to use USB hubs, USB active extension
cables or USB over Ethernet products.

USB Hubs:

You can use extension cables and up to 5 USB hubs connected together to extend USB's
range up to 30 meters (up to 27 meters for USB 1.0 devices). The distance between each
hub can be no more than 5 meters.

Active Extension Cables:

USB active extension cables contain electronics which regenerate the USB signal. These
cables are essentially 1 port USB hubs and will allow you to go up to 30 meters (up to 27
meters for USB 1.0 devices) by connecting up to five active extension cables together (4
cables if you are connected to a USB hub).

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Some of the products available to solve the length limitation are active extenders and
Cat5 extenders. Active extenders essentially repeat the signal to allow it to travel an
additional 16 feet using active electronics. The Cat5 extender uses a sender and a receiver
to send the USB signals over Cat5. This option is better for longer distance USB, often
sending the USB signal over lengths of Cat5 of 150 feet. Cat5 is the chosen medium
because it is inexpensive and easy to install in walls and data networks.

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USB Active Booster Extension Cable

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The USB Hi-Speed active booster extension cable will allow existing USB cables to be
extended without losing signal quality. These extensions can be sequenced, allowing a
total possible distance of about 80 feet between two USB devices. The typical distance
limitation of the USB signal (without active boosters) is about 15 feet, but this varies
depending on equipment.

Thus, to achieve a long distance between two USB devices, some expense will be
incurred. This is due to the inherent limitations of the USB signal, being a very high-
speed signal and therefore limited in terms of distance.

Please Note: Because the USB booster draws power from the bus of the host, the UBX2-
15 must be oriented properly. The male end of the cable must be in the direction of the
computer or powered hub, and the female (booster) end must be in the direction of the
device.

Features:
Boost the USB signal strength (~15ft range beyond 1 booster).
Maximum bandiwth over High-speed USB 2.0 and Full-Speed 1.1.
Combinations allow the extension of a USB signal up to 80 feet.
Buffers all upstream and downstream traffic for data control.

Specifications:
Full Compliance with USB Revisions 2.0 and 1.1.
Supports high speed transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps.
FCC Class B certified.
CE approved for use in Europe.
Enclosure: Plastic
Upstream Connector: Male Type "A"
Downstream Connector Female Type "A"

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Cables Unlimited USB Extender over Cat5, 150 ft.

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Finally, a cost-effective way to break the five meter (roughly 16 feet) USB distance
barrier. Extend your USB cable up to 150 feet over Cat5e, no extra power source
necessary.

The best ideas are often the simplest ones.

The Problem

USB signals can only travel about 16 feet through a USB cable without significant
deterioration and data loss. This limits your options when dealing with an ever-expanding
collection of USB peripherals.

The Solution

Convert the signal from USB to Cat5e, which can run up to 150 feet before signal
breakdown occurs, then simply convert it back to USB on the other end. So you can feel
free to place your USB web cams, printers, cameras, or keyboard and mice extensions
wherever your little heart desires.

Simple, economical, hassle-free and budget-friendly - it just doesn't get much better than
this USB Extender from Cables Unlimited.

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Gefen USB Extender, 150 ft

This compact USB Extender allows you to connect any hi-speed USB peripheral devices
up to 150 feet from your computer while keeping the same full speed 12 mb/s data
transfer rate (USB 1.1) and only using minimal space.

Simply attach the master unit to the computer. A cat5 or cat6 cable of your desired length
(up to 150 feet) sends the USB signal between your master unit and the remote unit
which can reside up to 150 feet away. The remote unit provides 2 USB device ports.

This product does not come with a Cat5 cable. Check out our selection of Cat5e cables.

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USB 1.1 Active Extension Cable, up to 115 feet

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Everyday, USB devices are becoming more and more a part of our computer and
electronic accessories. One of the limiting factors in any USB device is the cable length.
If you need to extend the reach of your keyboard, mouse, scanner, printer, or any USB
1.1 device, there's no better way then by making this USB 1.1 Active Extension Cable a
part of your accessories.

Each USB extension kit comes ready out of the box, making installation is easy and fast.
Simply connect the included USB adapter to your computer, plug in the desired length
USB cable (115 ft cord included), and connect the host adapter on the other end. That's it,
there are no drivers to install or endless manuals to read.

This kit makes it possible to move your USB device around and it gives you the freedom
to customize the length to your needs. So if you need an inexpensive solution with the
freedom of putting your USB device nearly anywhere in the room or office, the USB 1.1
Active Extension Cable is made for you.

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