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Sabrent USB to parallel printer cable, 6 ft, male to female connectors

Sabrent CB-CN36 USB to Parallel IEEE 1284 Printer Cable 6ft

SKU CH-1H1Z-FB17X

Connects a parallel IEEE 1284 printer to a USB port with a 6 ft cable supporting 12 Mbps data transfer

  • Connector count6
  • Connector genderMale to Female
  • Team affiliation1 Piece
  • Conductor typeCopper Conductor
  • Seller noticePrinter
  • Product typeUSB C to DVI Cable
  • Connect legacy parallel printers via USB with IEEE 1284 bi-directional support
  • Achieve data transfer rates up to 12Mbps for reliable printing performance
  • Eliminate parallel switch boxes with direct USB connectivity solution
  • Simple plug-and-play installation works across multiple operating systems
  • Six-foot copper conductor cable provides flexible placement options

USB-to-Parallel Cable for Legacy Printers

This six-foot adapter connects a USB host to a Centronics 36-pin parallel printer using the IEEE 1284 bi-directional interface. It targets users who need to keep older dot-matrix, laser or label printers working on modern PCs that lack a native parallel port. The copper conductor and male-to-female terminals provide a direct link without an internal add-in card.

Sustained Data Transfer at 12 Mbps

The cable maintains a 12 Mbps throughput under continuous print jobs rather than only in short bursts. Bi-directional signalling lets the host monitor printer status, paper-out alerts and ink levels throughout long runs. Plug-and-play enumeration occurs automatically on supported operating systems, so no manual driver switching is required during extended sessions.

IEEE 1284 Interface Practical Limits

The IEEE 1284 parallel standard caps cable length at roughly six metres, so this 6 ft assembly stays well within the electrical margin for reliable signalling. Bandwidth is limited to the 12 Mbps ceiling defined by the specification, which is sufficient for text and graphics printing but not for high-speed imaging or bulk data transfer. No external power adapter is needed; the link draws bus power from the USB side.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in USB & Parallel Printer Cables, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $14.99
Pricier than about 62% of the 127 comparable items (median $11.99).

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Specifications

Product
Brand nameSABRENT
Model nameCB-CN36
Product typeUSB C to DVI Cable
Ports & slots
Connector count6
Connector genderMale to Female
Size & build
Overall length6 ft (1.83 m)
Conductor typeCopper Conductor
More details
Team affiliation1 Piece

Questions about this item

Does the Sabrent CB-CN36 cable draw enough power to run hot during long print jobs?

The adapter is a passive copper conductor with no active electronics, so it does not generate noticeable heat while transferring data at up to 12 Mbps.

What port must my computer have to use this CB-CN36 adapter with a parallel printer?

Your computer needs a standard USB Type-C port; the cable plugs directly into it and presents a Centronics 36-pin female connector for the printer.

Will this IEEE 1284 cable work with a legacy dot-matrix printer that only supports nibble-mode transfers?

Yes, the bi-directional IEEE 1284 interface handles nibble, byte and ECP modes, so older parallel printers connect without extra configuration.

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