Parallel Printer Cable Centronics 36-Pin to DB25 IEEE 1284 Printer Cable

Parallel Printer Cable Centronics 36-Pin to DB25 IEEE 1284 Printer Cable

This is a parallel printer cable featuring a Centronics 36-pin male connector on one end and a DB25 female connector on the other. It is designed for connecting a computer's parallel (LPT) port to a parallel-interface printer, following the IEEE 1284 standard for bi-directional parallel communication.

Specifications & What's Included

• Type: Parallel printer cable
• Connector A: Centronics 36-pin male
• Connector B: DB25 female
• Interface standard: IEEE 1284
• Cable jacket: Gray, appears intact with no visible damage
• Contacts: Gold-plated pins visible on Centronics connector; appear intact
• Includes: Cable only — no additional accessories

Applications

Parallel printer cables using the Centronics 36-pin to DB25 interface were the standard connection between personal computers and printers from the late 1970s through the early 2000s. The Centronics interface was introduced by Centronics Data Computer Corporation and became the de facto standard for printer connections on IBM PC-compatible systems. The DB25 end connects to the computer's LPT (Line Print Terminal) port, while the 36-pin Centronics end plugs directly into the printer. The IEEE 1284 standard, introduced in 1994, formalized bi-directional communication over this interface, enabling modes such as Nibble, Byte, EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port), and ECP (Extended Capabilities Port). These cables are still sought for use with legacy dot matrix, laser, and inkjet printers that use a parallel interface, as well as for industrial and point-of-sale equipment that retains parallel connectivity.