USB3-EX2C330R-K Overview and Use Cases

What Is the USB3-EX2C330R-K?

The OREI USB3-EX2C330R-K is a USB 3.2 Gen 1 extender that carries high-speed USB signals over a single CAT6a cable, at distances up to 100m (328ft). It is a two-piece kit: a Transmitter (TX) that connects to your host computer, and a Receiver (RX) where you connect your USB peripherals. The two are linked by one CAT6a cable, so devices like webcams, cameras, touch panels, and drives can sit far from the computer running them.

It is useful for professional and commercial setups where USB peripherals need to be placed well beyond the 1.5m or so a normal USB cable allows, such as a conference room camera connected to a PC in a rack, a touch panel across a large room, or shared peripherals in a control area. It supports a wide range of USB devices, including webcams, PTZ cameras, touch panels, keyboards, microphones, flash drives, and printers.

The kit transmits USB 3.2 Gen 1 at data rates up to 5Gbps and is backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices. The Transmitter has two USB-C host ports that support auto switching and manual switching between two connected computers. It also offers bi-directional 24V Power over Cable, so power can be supplied from either the Transmitter or the Receiver side, plus RS-232 pass-through and an FSYNC sync port for control integration. It is plug-and-play with no drivers required.

IMPORTANT — This Extends USB Peripherals, Not Video

The USB3-EX2C330R-K is a USB data extender. It moves USB peripheral connections over distance, it does not extend or display video on its own.

It is designed for customers who want to:

• Place USB peripherals, such as cameras, microphones, touch panels, and drives, far from the computer that runs them
• Connect those remote peripherals back to one of two host computers over a single CAT6a cable

If a connected USB device, such as a USB camera, carries video, that video travels as USB data to the host computer. The extender itself does not output video to a display.

IMPORTANT — Two Host Ports, One Active at a Time

The Transmitter has two USB-C host ports, HOST 1 and HOST 2, so you can connect two computers, but only one host is active at a time.

You can switch between hosts in two ways:

• Manual switching: press the HOST switch button on the Transmitter. The LED for the selected host lights up
• Auto switching: when enabled, the extender detects which host is powered (USB 5V detection) and switches to it automatically

Auto switching can be turned on or off through RS-232. When auto switching is on, the extender follows the active host based on power detection.

IMPORTANT — Use a Single CAT6a Cable for Full Distance

The USB3-EX2C330R-K is rated for transmission over a single CAT6a (F/FTP) cable.

The maximum distance is 100m (328ft) over CAT6a cable. The USB connections to the host and to the peripherals are rated for cable up to about 1.5m. For reliable high-speed performance, use quality CAT6a cable for the run between the Transmitter and Receiver.

IMPORTANT — Bi-Directional 24V Power over Cable

The kit supports bi-directional 24V Power over Cable, so you only need to power one end.

Connect the included 24V power adapter to either the Transmitter or the Receiver, and power is carried over the CAT6a cable to the other unit. This gives you flexibility to power the kit from whichever end is more convenient for your installation.

Ports and Panel Layout

The USB3-EX2C330R-K kit includes one Transmitter and one Receiver. The Transmitter connects to your host computers, and the Receiver connects to your USB peripherals.

Transmitter:

Receiver:

Step-by-Step Setup

• Place the Transmitter near your host computer or computers, and the Receiver where you want your USB peripherals.
• Connect a CAT6a cable to the HDBT-USB3 port on the Transmitter, then run the other end to the HDBT-USB3 port on the Receiver.
• Connect your host computer to a HOST port on the Transmitter using a USB-C cable. You can connect a second computer to the other HOST port if you want to switch between two hosts.
• Connect your USB peripherals, such as a camera, microphone, keyboard, mouse, or drive, to the USB DEVICES ports on the Receiver, or to the USB DEVICES ports on the Transmitter if needed.
• Connect the included 24V power adapter to either the Transmitter or the Receiver. Power over Cable supplies the other unit through the CAT6a cable.
• Confirm the Power LED is lit and the LINK LED is on, which shows the Transmitter and Receiver are connected.
• Check the USB LED. It is on for a USB 3.0 connection and blinks for a USB 2.0 connection.
• Select your active host using the HOST switch button, or enable auto switching so the extender follows the powered host.
• Confirm your computer recognizes the connected peripherals.

Understanding Control and RS-232 Options

The USB3-EX2C330R-K can be controlled through its front panel HOST switch button or through RS-232 commands sent from a PC.

There are two serial paths. The SERVICE port is a USB-C virtual RS-232 connection used for internal debugging and firmware updates, fixed at 115200 baud. The Phoenix RS-232 port connects to a control system and supports configurable baud rates from 4800 to 115200. Both use 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity.

Through RS-232 you can, among other things:

• Switch the active USB host between HOST 1 and HOST 2
• Turn auto switching on or off and check its status
• Set and check the RS-232 baud rate
• Enable or disable the front panel key
• Set how each USB device port draws power (force off, follow host power, or force on)
• Query firmware version and full system status, and reboot or reset the unit

What Host Computers Is the USB3-EX2C330R-K Compatible With?

The Transmitter HOST ports connect to a USB port on a computer or laptop.

It can be used with:

• Desktop PCs with a USB-C port
• Laptops with a USB-C port
• Other host devices that present a standard USB host connection

Two hosts can be connected at once, with one active at a time, selected manually or by auto switching. The kit is USB 3.2 Gen 1 with rates up to 5Gbps, and is backward compatible with USB 2.0.

What USB Devices Is the USB3-EX2C330R-K Compatible With?

The USB DEVICES ports on the Receiver, and on the Transmitter, connect to USB peripherals.

It can be used with:

• Webcams and PTZ cameras
• Touch panels
• Keyboards, mice, and other input devices
• Microphones
• Flash drives and printers

In general, any USB device you want to access remotely can be connected. Note that the device ports provide either 5V/1.5A or 5V/1A depending on the port. For high power devices such as external hard drives or SSDs, see the FAQ below if you run into issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI USB3-EX2C330R-K used for?
A: It is used to extend USB peripherals over distance, up to 100m (328ft) over a single CAT6a cable, so devices like cameras, microphones, touch panels, and drives can be placed far from the host computer.

Q: How far can it extend USB?
A: It extends USB 3.2 Gen 1 signals up to 100m (328ft) over a single CAT6a (F/FTP) cable, with data rates up to 5Gbps.

Q: What kind of USB devices can I connect?
A: You can connect USB drives, webcams, and similar peripherals. Basically any USB device you want to access remotely, including keyboards, mice, microphones, touch panels, cameras, and printers.

Q: Can I access my security cameras through this device?
A: Yes. If you have security cameras in your home, office, or factory that work over USB, you can access them through this device.

Q: Can I connect two computers?
A: Yes. The Transmitter has two USB-C host ports, HOST 1 and HOST 2. One host is active at a time. You can switch manually with the HOST button, or enable auto switching so the extender follows the powered host.

Q: Does it carry video?
A: Not on its own. It is a USB data extender. If a connected USB device, such as a USB camera, sends video, that video travels as USB data to the host computer, but the extender does not output video to a display.

Q: Do I need to power both units?
A: No. The kit supports bi-directional 24V Power over Cable, so you connect the included power adapter to either the Transmitter or the Receiver and the other unit is powered over the CAT6a cable.

Q: Does it need drivers or software?
A: No. The USB3-EX2C330R-K is plug-and-play with no drivers or special setup required.

Q: The device is not working. What should I check?
A: Check that all connections are made correctly, try changing the CAT cable, and try a different USB port on the PC or laptop. If you have connected a high power device such as a hard drive or SSD, try unplugging it to see if the unit works.