USB data for printer - distances ?

[Channel Hopper]

I have acquired a laser printer that is too large to fit upstairs in the office, and an ideal spot exists in the hallway about 18m away from the PC.

Does anyone know the maximum distance that a USB (2.0) cable can reliably send and receive information ?
I'd prefer this over a wireless or ethernet solution and associated hub (with their power supply connections) that would complicate things in an already busy environment. I'm prepared to make a bespoke low loss USB cable if I know there is an absolute maximum distance that exists.

Thanks in advance

 

[Archive7]

The USB 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).
You can try connecting a long cable if you have one already and test what happens.
I would put the printer on a small trolley, and brings it near the pc using a 5m cable whenever I MUST print anything, because I hardly print anything these days and instead convert all documents to pdf or other digital formats.

 

[PaulR]

I think that if that is the closest the printer will come then you're going to have to look at a networked solution. Assuming the printer doesn't have an RJ45 socket (and many do) you'll have to invest in an Ethernet printer hub.

For many years at work I used a twenty odd metre long home-made crossover cable between my computer and photocopier to use it as my personal printer. If the printer has an Ethernet port there is no power implication and the cable can be up to about 50m long if necessary.

 

[Tururu]

It all depends on the quality of the cable and respect the mass-grounds (T) so as not to damage the ports.
Use double shielded cable and perform a test, prepare the length you need and test the equipment to the side.
If the installation of the electrical network is not single-phase, from the same socket as the computer, it takes the power of the printer, the modern ones with 1000W have enough and with 3-wire cables of 2.5 mm (N+L+T) would not have problems (I always put on more) .
Cable usb and cable with the power, it could work, soon you will know.
--------
Todo depende de la calidad del cable y respetar las masa-tierras (T) para no dañar los puertos.
Utiliza cable con doble blindaje y realiza una prueba, prepara la longitud que necesitas y prueba el equipo al lado.
Si la instalacion de la red electrica no es monofasica, del mismo enchufe que el ordenador, lleva la alimentacion de la impresora, las modernas con 1000W tienen suficiente y con cable de 3 hilos de 2'5mm (N+L+T) no tendrias problemas (siempre pongo de mas).
Cable usb y cable con la alimentacion, podria funcionar, pronto lo sabras.


RJ45 network cable good, 100 meters maximum (officially).
Cable de red RJ45 bueno, 100 metros maximo (oficialmente).

 

[Terryl]

I have in the past used active USB extension cable's (uses the +5 volts to run a built in signal repeater) run my telescope out to 75 feet without problems, (5 each at 15 foot cables) so using a good extension cable that has a repeater in it would allow you to run the printer out beyond the 18 meters you need.

Something along these lines.
https://www.cablestogo.com/category/usb/usb-extenders-extensions/usb-active-aa-cables

Another way is to use some USB to CAT 5/6 adapters, this would allow the run to go even further, there is one drawback when using these type of adapters, a long run will cause the data to drop to USB 1.1 speeds.

Something like this.
Amazon.com: HDE USB over Cat5/5e/6 Extension Cable RJ45 Adapter Set: Computers & Accessories

 

[Analoguesat]

We use lots of cheap ethernet usb extenders at work to power our smartboards where the computer is too far from the board. Never had any problems with them with a 5m usb cable and 10m ethernet, so you should be fine with 18-20m.

 

[2cvbloke]

I'd second the "if it has an ethernet port, use it" option, that way you can print off anything from any capable device without having to have the one computer on all the time, I have my HP colour laser set up that way and it's so handy, I can even print from my mobile too...

 

[dig deep]

I had a 20 m long cable and it worked fine so I see np here
Just try it

 

[Channel Hopper]

I had a 20 m long cable and it worked fine so I see np here
Just try it

Thanks, just the answer I needed to kick off the preliminary cable preparations. What type of cable is under the sheath ?

As mentioned there are reasons for doing this way (as opposed to using ethernet, which the printer has), and confirming the distances USB can work at, at varying speeds is the first stage.

I have two partially used reels of cable (about 40m on each), one being shielded four core actuator cable, the other is CAT5E. I was going to strip back two existing passive extender cables and solder each one onto the full reels, test for function, then cut back until I get operation on the printer.