HP C2951A parallel printer cable 9 ft DB25 to 36 pin Centronics

Purpose-built parallel link

The HP C2951A is a nine-foot cable that connects a DB25 parallel port to a 36-pin Centronics male connector. It targets users maintaining legacy printers, scanners or industrial equipment that still rely on the IEEE 1284 interface. The low-capacitance, impedance-matched construction preserves signal integrity over the full three-metre length.

Build integration

The double-shielded, twisted-pair design reduces crosstalk so the cable sits cleanly alongside power leads in tight enclosures. Its straight DB25 and Centronics ends need no adapters or gender changers, freeing rear-panel space on the host system. No active electronics are present, so the link draws no power and adds no driver overhead.

Capacity and headroom

Compliance with the 1284 specification means the cable supports the full parallel throughput the host controller provides. It handles standard byte-wide transfers and bidirectional modes without degradation. Runs longer than three metres or devices requiring higher signalling rates will exceed the cable’s rated performance envelope.