🔌 USB to CN36 Cable
 
(USB Type‑A to Centronics 36‑Pin • IEEE‑1284 Parallel Printer Bridge)

This cable provides a bridge between modern USB ports and legacy printers that rely on the CN36 Centronics parallel interface. It is most often used to keep older printers operational in modern environments.
 
🔧 Cable Form
USB Type‑A male ↔ CN36 male (36‑pin Centronics)
Integrated chipset converts USB to IEEE‑1284 parallel signaling
Typical length: 6ft
Plug‑and‑play on most operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
 
🖥️ Compatible Devices
Printers: Dot‑matrix, inkjet, and early laser printers with CN36 parallel ports
Scanners: Some legacy flatbed scanners with Centronics connectors
Plotters: Older drafting/engineering plotters using IEEE‑1284
Industrial gear: Specialized equipment with CN36 parallel interfaces
 
✅ Common Uses
🖨️ Printing from modern PCs to legacy parallel printers
🧵 Maintaining legacy systems in offices, labs, or factories
🧪 Connecting test equipment that still uses CN36 parallel ports
🧩 Extending the life of older hardware without needing ISA/PCI parallel cards
 
🧠 Signal Format
⚡ USB 1.1/2.0 host side
🔌 IEEE‑1284 parallel signaling on CN36 side
🔁 Bi‑directional data transfer (ECP/EPP modes supported on many chipsets)
📏 Data rates up to 12 Mbps (USB 2.0 full speed)
 
⚠️ Things to Watch Out For
📉 Printer‑only — most USB‑to‑CN36 cables are designed for printers, not general parallel devices
🔌 Not interchangeable with DB25 parallel adapters (different connector geometry)
🧯 Requires OS support — some modern systems may need generic USB‑printer drivers
📏 Cable length is limited; long runs may cause signal issues
 
🛠️ Quick Tips for Beginners
🧭 Confirm your device has a CN36 Centronics port, not DB25 or proprietary parallel
🔌 Use with parallel printers only — not suitable for SCSI or other 36‑pin connectors
🧪 If printing fails, check driver settings (USB‑printer class driver)
🧯 Keep a spare if you rely on legacy printers in production