USB connections are not suitable for long distances — it is not possible for cables more than five metres in length. But there are ways of getting round this.
Guide on USB connections over long distances
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is standard. Devices can be connected quickly and data transmitted quickly and easily using the 3.1 specification standard of USB. The only problem: A USB cable must not exceed a certain length, otherwise data will not flow.
Rule of thumb: no more than three to five metres. Connecting several cables to one another does not help matters. More sophisticated tools are needed to establish a USB connection over longer distances.
This is how a USB connection can work over longer distances
If you connect several conventional USB cables to one another, you will notice that the signal will be lost. The specification is not designed for this. If you want to ensure coverage, you must ensure that the signal is amplified once or several times through the cable.
Or you can connect the USB connection to other transmission standards.
Fibre optic cable: A high-quality cable can help to bridge longer distances with USB 3.0. Using a fibre optic cable to transmit data with almost no loss of data, the latest specification can handle a distance of up to 50 metres.
USB hubs: One or more active hubs are used in order to connect the USB cable. Each hub amplifies the received signal and transmits it to the next cable.
USB extension cable: Active cables have integrated semiconductor chips at both ends. The first amplifies the input signal before it is routed through the cable. The second enhances the quality of the signal at the end of the cable.
USB extension via CAT 5/6: A network cable (up to 60 metres in length) is connected between two adapters with USB input or output. The signal is routed without almost any loss via the network cable. The limitations associated with a conventional USB cable fall away.
USB over IP converter. These devices can be used to connect a USB port to a network. Each network computer can now establish a connection with the device that is plugged into the USB port of the converter, as if it is connected directly via USB. This allows access to data on a USB hard drive or for a printer to be shared, for example.
Wireless USB: The transmission standard enables USB devices to connect wirelessly. Range is up to ten metres, but in practice wireless USB is mainly used at close range. Wireless USB has never really come to the fore because Bluetooth is so popular. The term often gets confused and is used for USB sticks to mean WiFi.
Avoiding cable clutter
All of the methods described are very effective. However, in most cases placing extension cables over greater distances is usually a last resort. Because most people nowadays want to avoid additional cables and are more likely to look for solutions for connecting devices to a network via WiFi. However, there may be situations in which an extension cable is the fastest and most cost-effective solution.
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