ZBT-2 USB cable length

[woven merlin]

I just bought a ZBT-2 to replace my ZBT-1 (will be put in matter mode), but I want to put the antenna on top of a a bookcase, for that, the distance I will need a USB cable of 5m, do you think there will be problems with such a lengthy cable?

[stark moss]

I did the same thing. But my zigbee network has gone bad with the new ZBT-2. I have no clue to why it's worse than the SkyConnect.

[stark moss]

Sorry I didn't reply to your question about the 5m cable. Idon't know.

[hasty badge]

That cable should be fine. There’s not that much data for Zigbee, even a large network, to have an issue with data throughput.

[frank geode]

woulnd't the issue be the more interferences picked up along that distance?

[hasty badge]

I’m not an rf guy but if think the interference would be around the antenna. Unless you run it next to power.

[frank geode]

yeah not an rf guy either but pretty sure that i read that somewhere. i thought that's why it's recommended to use a shielded usb extension cord

[unreal agate]

Shouldn't be any problem with a cable that long. The ZBT-2 only uses USB2, not USB3, and the lower speed signals work ok with longer cables.

(if you look for a cable that only supports USB2 speeds - 480mbit/s - it could actually reduce interference, and mean a thinner better looking cable - than a USB3 cable of similar length)

If you do run into signal issues, splitting the run into half with a powered usb hub in the middle might solve it.

[dusky blade]

I would be more worried about the power rails than the signal integrity. That's why people prefer PoE over USB, because the voltage is much higher, so it is unlikely you'll have a voltage drop that poses a problem to the device.

[oak sky]

with it being a USB2 device, the USB standard does say that 5m is fine (at least on paper), however probably best to ensure you get a high quality cable from a known brand.