Black Box IC400A-R2 USB Extender

Overview

The Black Box IC400A-R2 is a 4-port CatX USB extender designed to place USB devices up to 100 meters away from the host computer. This unit is critical for deployments where USB peripherals like printers, scanners, or specialized data acquisition hardware must be located outside the immediate vicinity of the host system, such as in industrial control rooms, retail POS environments, or secure server rooms. It consolidates four USB 2.0 connections over a single CatX cable run, simplifying installation and reducing cable clutter.

Compatibility

This extender supports USB 2.0 devices and is compatible with any host system running Windows, macOS, or Linux that provides USB 2.0 connectivity. It is designed to work with standard Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a Ethernet cabling for optimal performance up to 100 meters. Specific compatibility extends to USB printers, scanners, webcams, and other standard USB 2.0 peripherals. It is intended for use with the companion receiver unit (sold separately) to complete the extension system.

Installation Notes

Requires a standard Cat5e or higher Ethernet cable (sold separately) for connection between the transmitter and receiver units. Ensure the cable run is within the 100-meter (328 ft) maximum distance. The IC400A-R2 unit itself is powered via USB from the host computer, drawing power through the host's USB ports. No external power supply is required for the transmitter unit, simplifying deployment in space-constrained areas.