The three meter limit is based on maximum allowable losses using the largest recommended wire size so that the cable is flexible. (Note that this is a practical limit.) The cable can be any length as long as it meets all of the electrical requirements in the specification. USB 3.0 cables have a limit of three meters versus the USB 2.0 limit of five meters.A good general description can be found here: USB 3.0 The other five are signal conductors which are used for the communication method that provides USB 3.0 super speed. Connecting a USB 3.0 device with a USB 2.0 cable uses those conductors and operates like a USB 2.0 device. USB 3.0 cables have nine internal conductors versus four in USB 2.0 cables.įour of the nine internal conductors match the USB 2.0 configuration (two are for power and two are for signal).There are at least three important differences in cable construction between the two standards. However, speed is not the only issue.Ī USB 2.0 cable will work (at USB 2.0 speeds), for some, but not all, USB 3.0 devices.

You cannot achieve USB 3.0 speeds without a USB 3.0 cable. We figured this out the hard way during the USB flash drive group test. USB 3.0 cables have more internal wires, are usually blue, and are noticeably thicker than the old USB 2.0 cables.

Even though you can connect a USB 3.0 device via a USB 2.0 cable, in order to achieve full USB 3.0 speeds you need to rewire any existing cabling. To get USB 3.0 speeds, you need special USB 3.0 cables. USB 3.0 cables can be used with 2.0 devices and ports if the connector types fit (no B Male or B Micro connectors), but the transfer rate will fall back to 2.0.

SuperSpeed (USB 3.0) is supported only by USB 3.0 and newer interfaces, and requires a connector and cable with extra pins and wires, usually distinguishable by the blue inserts in connectors. First up, Steven:Ī USB 3.0 cable is required for USB 3.0 speeds, but any USB cord will make a connection. SuperUser contributors Steven and fixer1234 have the answer for us. Do USB 3.0 connections require USB 3.0 cables in order to reach their full speed potential? The Answer

Usb 2 vs usb 3 plug