USB Extension Cables

[jkaras2000]

Hi All: Need some advice on adding 2 USB Extensions from the 2 USB Cables coming from my bot. I could really use the extra length to run cables in a manner that is out of my walking path in the shop. I have heard that USB Cable extensions could add to Communication problems. Does anyone have any experience or are presently using USB Extension Cables with their bot. If so, how long are they. I need about four feet to run cables safely out of my work area. Thanks & Happy Healthy New Year to All. Joe :cool:

[steve_g]

Joe

Total USB cord length must be less than 10'... less connections means less chance of problems. Buy a 10' cord.

SG

[dana_swift]

Hook them up. Expect it to work reliably. Worst case, remove one of your extension cords. It will NOT DAMAGE ANYTHING to give it a try.

D

[rww]

I have two 10 footers with no problems for over a year.

[steve_g]

This is the standard... Granted, when every thing is going your way you can exceed the recommendations.

The USB 1.1 Standard specifies that a standard cable can have a maximum length of 3 meters with devices operating at Low Speed (1.5 Mbit/s), and a maximum length of 5 meters with devices operating at Full Speed (12 Mbit/s).
USB 2.0 provides for a maximum cable length of 5 meters for devices running at Hi Speed (480 Mbit/s). The primary reason for this limit is the maximum allowed round-trip delay of about 1.5 μs. If USB host commands are unanswered by the USB device within the allowed time, the host considers the command lost. When adding USB device response time, delays from the maximum number of hubs added to the delays from connecting cables, the maximum acceptable delay per cable amounts to 26 ns. The USB 2.0 specification requires cable delay to be less than 5.2 ns per meter (192,000 km/s, which is close to the maximum achievable transmission speed for standard copper wire).

[jkaras2000]

Hey Guys: Thanks I am going to hook a couple six footer up tomorrow morning and give it a try. It will certainly help to keep the usb cables out of harms way. I will keep you all posted on how it works. Dana, I am looking into the USB Isolator as well. Might come in handy especially with added USB Cable length. Thanks Joe :cool: