USB cables with different 'lumps' for different uses?

[David]

Hi
I have now accumulated several USB peripherals - printer, digital
camera, webcam, memory card reader and scanner; however almost all the
cables originally provided with each device are slightly different in
that they mostly have a large plastic 'lump' near one end of the
cable. (Reminds me of a snake that has just swallowed a rabbit!)

I have always used the original cable provided with teach peripheral,
however, now after re-siting all my equipment I need to buy some
slightly longer leads for them to reach.

Do these cables actually differ? What are the 'bumps' for; are they
crucial? Do I need to specify anything specific for different
peripherals? Do cables for USB 1.1 and 2.0 differ?

Thanks for any help
David

 

[JackD]

Hi
I have now accumulated several USB peripherals - printer, digital
camera, webcam, memory card reader and scanner; however almost all the
cables originally provided with each device are slightly different in
that they mostly have a large plastic 'lump' near one end of the
cable. (Reminds me of a snake that has just swallowed a rabbit!)

I have always used the original cable provided with teach peripheral,
however, now after re-siting all my equipment I need to buy some
slightly longer leads for them to reach.

Do these cables actually differ? What are the 'bumps' for; are they
crucial? Do I need to specify anything specific for different
peripherals? Do cables for USB 1.1 and 2.0 differ?

Thanks for any help
David

Those lumps are a ferrite core which is used to reduce "ringing" within the
cable. Basically it keeps the electromagnetic waves produced by the
electrical signal from reflecting and causing problems within the line. The
manufacturer has placed them where they provide the most good and are most
convenient. Different cables can have different properties due to shielding
and other things, so it makes sense to use the right cable for the right
device, but if another one works then it works so you can use it.

I'm not sure if there is enough difference between USB 1.1 and 2.0 to
require different cables unless the 1.1 cables were marginal to begin with.

-Jack

 

[Eric Gisin]

I have now accumulated several USB peripherals - printer, digital
camera, webcam, memory card reader and scanner; however almost all the
cables originally provided with each device are slightly different in
that they mostly have a large plastic 'lump' near one end of the
cable. (Reminds me of a snake that has just swallowed a rabbit!)

I have always used the original cable provided with teach peripheral,
however, now after re-siting all my equipment I need to buy some
slightly longer leads for them to reach.

Do these cables actually differ? What are the 'bumps' for; are they
crucial? Do I need to specify anything specific for different
peripherals? Do cables for USB 1.1 and 2.0 differ?

If these are standard A-B cables, you can replace them with quality
cables up to 15'.

Your old cables should reach if you add a hub or two.

 

[EktarEd]

The bumps you refer to are for noise suppression.

 

[Red Clay]

If these are standard A-B cables, you can replace them with quality
cables up to 15'.

What do you mean by "quality cables"?

Are we talking about premium priced stuff-- RF shielded with gold plated
connectors, or just garden variety cable that you buy anywhere- computer,
electronics, or office supplies stores? I mean, no ones sells cables labeled
"junk" or "low quality".

Red

 

[Eric Gisin]

What do you mean by "quality cables"?

Are we talking about premium priced stuff-- RF shielded with gold plated
connectors, or just garden variety cable that you buy anywhere- computer,
electronics, or office supplies stores? I mean, no ones sells cables labeled
"junk" or "low quality".

Just look for a brand name. No name stuff is suspect.

All A-B cables are shielded. I don't know if that RFI "blob" is
required, my old printer cable doesn't have it.

 

[Joe Pfeiffer]

Do these cables actually differ? What are the 'bumps' for; are they
crucial? Do I need to specify anything specific for different
peripherals? Do cables for USB 1.1 and 2.0 differ?

The "bumps" are ferrite cores for noise suppression. You should be
able to switch cables at will.

Near as I can tell from looking at usb.org, 1.1 cables and 2.0 cables
are identical (see http://www.usb.org/developers/usb20/backgrounder/).
I also note that the most common packaging I see on USB devices and
cables (version number of the standard) is specifically discouraged by
the USB Implementors Forum!

Any cable with one of the logos shown at that web page should be
compatible with all of your devices, whether they are USB (1.1) or
Hi-Speed USB (2.0). I have no idea whether the forum has any kind of
teeth to prevent a manufacturer from marketing a sub-standard cable,
though.

Bottom line: swap the cables all you want. It should work just fine,
and it certainly won't cause any physical damage even if it doesn't.

 

[Andy Cunningham]

FWIW my printer didn't come with a cable so I bought one for 39p ($0.50).
Works great. I use my Sony cable that came with my digital camera for
everything that has the correct connector (an MP3 player and a removable
disc drive). These also work identically with that cable.

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

I certainly don't pretend to be an expert on cables, but recently I
did some changes in my home office and my original USB cable was too
short to reach my Canon Scanner. I bought a new one (high quality,
high price) that was 15' long (Longer than I needed, but they didn't
have any shorter ones) and from then on I had trouble. After
installation, the computer was erratic in recognizing the scanner. I
even went so far as to uninstall and reinstall the software. A friend
tipped me that 15' just may be too long, as the USB carries power, as
well as signal. I finally got hold of a shorter one (10') and my
problems went away.

 

[Trevor Noble]

I certainly don't pretend to be an expert on cables, but recently I
did some changes in my home office and my original USB cable was too
short to reach my Canon Scanner. I bought a new one (high quality,
high price) that was 15' long (Longer than I needed, but they didn't
have any shorter ones) and from then on I had trouble. After
installation, the computer was erratic in recognizing the scanner. I
even went so far as to uninstall and reinstall the software. A friend
tipped me that 15' just may be too long, as the USB carries power, as
well as signal. I finally got hold of a shorter one (10') and my
problems went away.

You can get a little plug/socket USBa/USBb adapter that allows you to daisy
chain a number of UDB cables together in your local electronics/computer
store. Gives you flexibility to swap peripherals with ease.
Regds
Trevor

 

[Paul H.]

I certainly don't pretend to be an expert on cables, but recently I
did some changes in my home office and my original USB cable was too
short to reach my Canon Scanner. I bought a new one (high quality,
high price) that was 15' long (Longer than I needed, but they didn't
have any shorter ones) and from then on I had trouble. After
installation, the computer was erratic in recognizing the scanner. I
even went so far as to uninstall and reinstall the software. A friend
tipped me that 15' just may be too long, as the USB carries power, as
well as signal. I finally got hold of a shorter one (10') and my
problems went away.

Just thought I'd add that several companies make "amplified" USB cables
which sell for $20-$30 US that let you go well beyond the the ten-foot
limit. By sandwiching one of these cables between two ten-foot unamplified
cables, I was able to use an inexpensive USB webcam as a security camera
placed about 30' away from my computer.

BTW, signal degradation is far more likely to have been the source of your
scanner problems--cable capacitance can effectively short out data at high
transmission rates.

 

[Eric Gisin]

I certainly don't pretend to be an expert on cables, but recently I
did some changes in my home office and my original USB cable was too
short to reach my Canon Scanner. I bought a new one (high quality,
high price) that was 15' long (Longer than I needed, but they didn't
have any shorter ones) and from then on I had trouble. After
installation, the computer was erratic in recognizing the scanner. I
even went so far as to uninstall and reinstall the software. A friend
tipped me that 15' just may be too long, as the USB carries power, as
well as signal. I finally got hold of a shorter one (10') and my
problems went away.

Officialy, 5m=17' is the max. I don't think power is the problem with
your scanner, the twisted pair may be.

Here is a good USB FAQ: http://www.everythingusb.com/usb2/faq.htm