ShillehTek USB 2.0 A-B Cable Manual

Overview

The classic USB Type-A to Type-B "printer cable" — the cable you use with the original Arduino Uno R3, Mega 2560, Raspberry Pi Pico W with carrier boards, USB MIDI devices, audio interfaces, scanners, and most desktop printers. The square Type-B connector at one end snaps positively into the device, and the standard USB-A end plugs into your computer or USB hub. At 0.5 m (1.64 ft), this is a short, tidy cable that's perfect for keeping a development board on the bench right next to the laptop without 1.5 m of slack to manage.

The cable supports USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, so anything from a 480 Mbps audio interface down to a 9600-baud Arduino sketch upload runs across it without issue. Foil + braid shielding keeps EMI low for clean serial communication and audio passthrough.

At a Glance

Length

0.5 m (1.64 ft)

Connector A

USB-A male

Connector B

USB-B male (square)

USB Standard

USB 2.0 Hi-Speed

Data Speed

Up to 480 Mbps

Best For

Arduino Uno, Mega, printers

Specifications

Parameter	Value
Cable Length	0.5 m / 1.64 ft
Connector A	USB Type-A male
Connector B	USB Type-B male (square, used on printers / Arduino Uno)
USB Standard	USB 2.0
Maximum Data Rate	480 Mbps (Hi-Speed)
Power Rating	5V from USB host, ~500 mA
Conductor	Tinned copper
Shielding	Foil + braid
Jacket	PVC
Operating Temperature	-20°C to +60°C

Use Cases & Compatibility

The Type-B square connector hasn't been used on phones or tablets for a decade, but it's still standard on a surprising number of devices — especially Arduino boards. If your device has a recessed square port, this is the cable you need.

Device	Notes
Arduino Uno R3	Power + program over the same cable. Standard pairing.
Arduino Mega 2560	Same connector as Uno R3.
Arduino Uno R4 (original)	R4 Minima & R4 WiFi use USB-C; only the original / R3 needs this cable.
Desktop printers (HP, Brother, Canon)	The classic "printer USB" port.
USB MIDI keyboards / pianos	Many MIDI controllers use Type-B for the host connection.
Audio interfaces (Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen 1/2)	Older audio-interface generations use Type-B.
Flatbed scanners	Standard host-side connector.
Some industrial / lab equipment	Oscilloscopes, multimeters, programmable PSUs often use Type-B.

Identifying Type-B: the connector is roughly square with bevelled top corners. It's much chunkier than USB-C or Micro-USB. If you see this shape on the back of a printer or Arduino, this is your cable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this work with the Arduino Uno R4?

Only if you have an original Uno R3-style board. The newer Arduino Uno R4 Minima and Uno R4 WiFi use USB-C, not USB-B, so they need a different cable. The Mega 2560 still uses Type-B and works with this cable.

Why is it called a "printer cable"?

USB Type-B is the standard host-side connector for inkjet and laser printers. Pretty much every printer made in the last 25 years uses it — even though the cable is now less common because many printers ship without one in the box. The same connector is also used on Arduino Uno, audio gear, and lab equipment.

Can I program my Arduino over this and power something from the USB rail at the same time?

Yes — Arduinos draw power from the USB cable while connected. You can power LEDs, sensors, and small modules from the 5V pin while programming, as long as you stay within the host's USB port limit (~500 mA on most computers, ~900 mA on USB 3.0 ports).

Is the cable shielded? My audio interface / MIDI controller is picking up noise.

Yes, this cable uses both foil and braid shielding for low EMI. If you're getting hum or interference, the issue is usually a ground loop somewhere else in your audio setup — try a different USB port, a powered hub, or a ground-loop isolator.

Is this USB 3.0?

No — this is USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (480 Mbps). USB 3.0 Type-B connectors have a different shape with extra pins on top; they're physically incompatible with USB 2.0 Type-B ports. For Arduino, MIDI, and printers, USB 2.0 is more than enough.

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