StarTech USB110EXT2 USB 1.1 over Cat5e Extender — 131ft Range

Overview

The StarTech USB110EXT2 solves a specific, common problem in security and AV deployments: USB devices — proximity readers, fingerprint scanners, enrollment stations, HID peripherals — that need to operate well beyond the native 5-meter USB cable limit. By running USB 1.1 signals over a standard Cat 5e UTP cable, the USB110EXT2 pushes that reach to 40 meters (131 feet) without a powered hub chain or signal repeater. For integrators wiring access control readers back to a control room, or connecting USB enrollment terminals to a distant workstation, this is a straightforward way to bridge the gap with infrastructure cable already pulled in most buildings.

The extender ships as a two-unit set — a local transmitter that connects to the host PC and a remote receiver that connects to the USB device — with Cat 5e carrying both the USB data and the 300mA power supply to the remote end. No separate power injection at the remote unit is required for bus-powered devices drawing at or below that threshold.

Key Features

• 40m (131ft) Extension over Cat 5e UTP: Standard USB tops out at 5 meters before signal degradation forces you into active repeaters. The USB110EXT2 extends that to 131 feet over Cat 5e or better — cable that's already in most conduit runs. One pull, no additional hardware.
• USB 1.1 at 12 Mbps: Full-speed USB 1.1 delivers 12 Mbps throughput, which covers the bandwidth requirements of HID readers, fingerprint scanners, barcode scanners, and enrollment keypads without overengineering. If you're running USB 2.0 high-speed devices like webcams or mass storage, this isn't the unit — USB 1.1 is the ceiling here.
• 300mA Bus Power Delivery to Remote End: The remote receiver draws power from the Cat 5e run, supplying up to 300mA to the connected USB device. That's enough for most bus-powered HID and biometric peripherals. Devices that require more than 300mA (some USB cameras, high-drain peripherals) will need a locally powered USB hub at the remote end.
• 8kV Contact / 16kV Air ESD Protection: In industrial, warehouse, or access-controlled entry point environments, electrostatic discharge events are routine. The USB110EXT2 integrates 8kV contact and 16kV air ESD protection on both units, substantially reducing the risk of a static event killing a reader mid-shift or corrupting an enrollment session.
• Compact Form Factor — 3.3 x 1.6 x 1.0 in: Both local and remote units are small enough to mount behind a reader backplate, tuck into a rack shelf, or install inside a control cabinet without dedicating real estate. At 3.9 oz total, neither unit adds meaningful weight to panel-mount installations.
• Operating Range 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F): Rated for standard indoor environments including server rooms, control rooms, and interior access points. The storage temperature extends to 70°C, so units can survive a hot warehouse or staging environment between deployments without damage.
• No Driver Installation Required: The extender is transparent to the host OS — USB devices appear as if directly connected. This matters in locked-down enterprise environments where driver installs require IT approval and create deployment delays.
• 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty: StarTech backs the USB110EXT2 with a 3-year warranty, which aligns with the typical lifecycle of a commercial access control or security deployment without requiring a mid-cycle hardware refresh.

Integration and Compatibility

The USB110EXT2 is compatible with any USB 1.1 host — and backwards-compatible with USB 2.0 ports at full-speed (12 Mbps) negotiation. It works with access control readers, HID enrollment stations, biometric scanners, and other USB 1.1 peripherals. Cabling must be Cat 5e UTP or better; Cat 6 and Cat 6A runs work fine and may already be pulled for IP camera or network drops nearby. Keep the run unbroken — patch panel insertions mid-run can introduce enough attenuation to reduce reliable operating distance below the rated 40m. For installations pairing this extender with USB-based access readers or other USB extension hardware, confirm the peripheral's maximum current draw against the 300mA supply limit before finalizing the BOM. Pair with a managed PoE switch in the same IDF closet if your deployment also includes IP cameras or VoIP endpoints on the same Cat 5e infrastructure — the USB110EXT2 run is passive from the network perspective and won't interfere with adjacent data runs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What USB version does the USB110EXT2 support, and does it work with USB 2.0 devices?

A: The USB110EXT2 operates on the USB 1.1 specification at full-speed (12 Mbps). It will enumerate on USB 2.0 host ports, but devices will negotiate down to USB 1.1 full-speed. USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (480 Mbps) devices are not supported at full performance — they'll either run at 12 Mbps if backwards-compatible or may not function reliably.

Q: What is the maximum cable run length and what cabling is required?

A: The USB110EXT2 supports up to 40 meters (131 feet) over Cat 5e UTP or better. Cat 6 and Cat 6A are acceptable substitutes. Avoid inserting patch panels mid-run, as additional insertion points introduce attenuation that can reduce effective distance.

Q: Does the remote receiver unit require a separate power supply?

A: No. The remote receiver draws power over the Cat 5e cable from the local transmitter unit, which is powered by the host USB port. It supplies up to 300mA to the connected USB device. Peripherals drawing more than 300mA require a separately powered USB hub at the remote end.

Q: What is the warranty on the USB110EXT2?

A: StarTech provides a 3-year manufacturer warranty on the USB110EXT2.

Q: Is the USB110EXT2 suitable for outdoor or harsh industrial environments?

A: The USB110EXT2 is rated for operating temperatures of 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F) and 20–80% relative humidity (non-condensing). It is designed for indoor installations. It includes 8kV contact / 16kV air ESD protection for environments where static discharge is a concern, but it is not rated for outdoor exposure or wet locations.

Q: Does installing the USB110EXT2 require driver software on the host PC?

A: No drivers are required. The extender is transparent to the host operating system — the USB device at the remote end appears as if directly connected to the host PC, which simplifies deployment in locked-down enterprise or government environments.

James Everett

The spec I keep coming back to on the USB110EXT2 is the 300mA remote power delivery — it sounds like a footnote, but it's the make-or-break number when you're selecting this unit for an access control or enrollment station run. At 40 meters over a single Cat 5e pull, you're getting USB 1.1 full-speed to a remote peripheral with no local power brick, which keeps the installation clean and reduces points of failure at the reader end.

Technical Highlights:

• 40m Extension Range: Covers most intra-building runs from an IDF closet or workstation to a door-side reader or enrollment kiosk — a single Cat 5e pull handles both signal and power delivery to the remote unit.
• 8kV / 16kV ESD Protection: Access control entry points accumulate static from foot traffic. The 8kV contact and 16kV air ESD ratings on both units are meaningful protection against the kind of discharge events that take out unprotected USB ports on reader controllers.
• 12 Mbps USB 1.1 Throughput: More than adequate for HID readers, fingerprint scanners, and barcode enrollment peripherals — these devices rarely exceed 1–2 Mbps in real operation, so the 12 Mbps ceiling isn't a constraint in practice.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify the peripheral's current draw against the 300mA supply limit before you close out the BOM — some multi-function USB biometric devices (reader plus display plus card writer) can exceed this threshold, requiring a powered hub at the remote end.
• Avoid mid-run patch panels. The 40-meter rating assumes a continuous, unbroken Cat 5e run — each patch insertion adds attenuation, and you may find reliable distance drops noticeably on a patched run.

This unit is well-positioned for enterprise access control deployments where USB enrollment stations or HID readers need to connect back to a control workstation located in an adjacent IDF or security office — clean single-cable installation, no drivers, and ESD protection that holds up in lobbies and entry vestibules with high foot traffic.