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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Boomhauer on March 17, 2022, 01:05:34 PM

Title: Longest USB length?
Post by: Boomhauer on March 17, 2022, 01:05:34 PM

I need to order a USB extension cable for my work computer to run my diagnostic adapter while my laptop stays plugged into my work station. It’s older USB, probably not 3.0 or whatever is the latest and greatest but I need to know the maximum length I can run for this kind of work and still be able to reliably maintain communication to the machine

Title: Re: Longest USB length?
Post by: cordex on March 17, 2022, 01:15:10 PM

Officially between 9 and 16 feet depending on what USB level you are supporting.

Title: Re: Longest USB length?
Post by: Boomhauer on March 17, 2022, 01:20:58 PM

Quote from: cordex on March 17, 2022, 01:15:10 PM

Officially between 9 and 16 feet depending on what USB level you are supporting.

So probably a 12 footer or so is good for USB 2.0?

Title: Re: Longest USB length?
Post by: Ben on March 17, 2022, 01:22:38 PM

I recall I had to run a really long, like 25' USB cable at work once and used a USB booster. IIRC, it was built into the extension cable I ordered.

Title: Re: Longest USB length?
Post by: cordex on March 17, 2022, 01:26:30 PM

Quote from: Boomhauer on March 17, 2022, 01:20:58 PM

So probably a 12 footer or so is good for USB 2.0?

Yep.  USB 2.0 is specced to 16 feet.

Title: Re: Longest USB length?
Post by: K Frame on March 17, 2022, 01:27:12 PM

Realistically, unboostered, probably no more than 12 feet and that might be iffy with an older lower-voltage unit.

Title: Re: Longest USB length?
Post by: Bogie on March 17, 2022, 11:39:02 PM

I have a 16' printer cord...