You can use a regular USB cable in conjunction with an active cable as long as the regular cable is not more than 5 meters (16 feet and 5 inches) long for 2.0 devices and not more than 3 meters (9 feet and 10 inches) long for 3.0 devices. Active cables are essentially 1 port USB hubs. USB active extension cables contain electronics that regenerate the USB signal. Note: It is possible to use bus-powered USB hubs, but you will quickly run out of power as you extend your setup.īack to Top Active (Repeater) Extension Cables: When using 3.0/3.1 hubs and cables, do not exceed the recommended length of 3 meters (9 feet and 10 inches) between hubs. However, it is important to remember when using 2.0 hubs and cables that the distance between each powered hub can be no more than 5 meters (16 feet and 5 inches). You can use extension cables and self-powered USB hubs connected together to extend the range of your USB device. Other options such as USB over Ethernet or building your own USB bridge can extend the USB range further. With the USB specs limiting the length of cables, is there a way to extend those limits? Yes! However, in order to go beyond these cable length limits (or recommended lengths) you need to use self-powered USB hubs or active (repeater) cables both of which have their own limits as well. However, to ensure you achieve the best results possible, use an active cable when going more than 10 feet (3 meters).īack to Top How to break the USB length limitations: Results may vary, but with a high quality cable you should be able to go beyond 3 meters. However, the biggest limitation to the length of the cable is the quality of the cable. The 3.0/3.1 specification does not specify a maximum cable length between USB 3.0/3.1 devices (SuperSpeed or SuperSpeed+), but there is a recommended length of 3 meters (or about 9 feet and 10 inches). However, you can connect a 6 foot cable with a 10 foot extension cable for a total of 16 feet, which is below the maximum cable length for USB 2.0.īack to Top Maximum length of USB 3.0 / USB 3.1 cable: In other words, you cannot just connect a bunch of extension cables together (like taking a 6 foot cord and extending it with 4 other 6 foot extension cords) and run them 30 feet to another room. The 2.0 specification limits the length of a cable between USB 2.0 devices (Full Speed or Hi-Speed) to 5 meters (or about 16 feet and 5 inches). But before we get to active cables or hubs, how long can a USB cable be?īack to Top Maximum length of USB 2.0 cable: This kind of setup will not work and requires the use of a special type of USB cable known as an active or repeater cable. The mistake that most individuals make is when they take a 10 foot cord that came with a device and then purchase a 10 foot extension to make a cable that is 20 feet in total length. Since USB 3.0 / USB 3.1 has yet to become as ubiquitous as 2.0 that means that most people have several 2.0 cables lying around. USB 1.0/1.1 has been almost entirely supplanted by USB 2.0. With the popularity of USB (it powers everything from our external hard drives to the charging of our mobile phones), we are constantly amassing USB cables. What about USB over Ethernet or USB Bridges?.USB Cable Length Limitations And How To Break Them Home > Guides And Articles > USB Cable Length Limitations And How To Break Them
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