Wiring Diagrams for USB Cables?

Thank You, That was fast. Jan

hi, i have a USB printer and my problem is that one cable works or recognizes the printer(device) while the other does not. i am using the same cable (type B), they only differ in length. should there be any difference? aren't they suppose to be standard? please advise. thankx

Should both work. Is it the longer one that doesn't? Have you tested them with other devices?

It's the shorter and newer one that doesn't work. I haven't tested them with other devices thought.

Almost certainly a faulty cable. Testing with another device should confirm.

JohnDG, i did some more checking and found out that the working cable has the shield on both ends shorted while the shielding for the non working one is OL. Notes on the shielding on the link you provided mentioned that there are 2 cable wire types shielded and non shielded. And it also mentioned that "Shield should only be connected to Ground at the host. No device should connect Shield to Ground". Any thoughts on this??? Please advise. thanks

It's definitely normal practice to ground the shield of signal cables only one end -usually the controller (PC in this case). This is to prevent the possibility of ground loops, tho' it shouldn't matter if the device has no separate ground connection.

Best thing I can suggest is to stick with the type that works!

I definitely agree. Thanks much!!!

Hi JohnDG, I think I finally find out what's the problem with the 2 cables. The working ones are shielded while the non working are not. I know these 2 are different cables but why all the trouble making 2 types of cable with the same connector when all the user wants to do is plug that in and expect to use the device. Just not make sense to me... any thoughts?

Probably $$$. Unscreened cable is cheaper, and will work for some devices, especially slower ones (some USB 1.0 types, for example).

It's a pity more devices aren't sold with cable included - this would stop a lot of the problems.

It would also stop the "get xxx home - get it out of the box - read the 'quickstart' - run the CD - get to the bit where it says 'now connect your xxx to the PC' - DAMN! no cable - nick borrow cable from yyy - doesn't work - wrong cable type - back to the shop" scenario.

if the usb cable is built to spec you should have 4 wires green "power", black "ground", red "D+" and yellow "D-" the green is most often +5VDC you have to find pin 1 and check the votage the center two pin or for D+ and D- and the fourth pin is the ground hope this helps

Thanks a bunch it work out well! Jan

Does this help? http://www.usbman.com/Guides/BelkinMotherboard_cable_assembly.htm