Common Receipt Printer Interfaces

Posted June 24, 2009

Use the chart below to identify what type of interface your receipt printer has.

Adapted from http://www.transact-tech.com/products/ithaca_8000_info_faq.html

9 pin Serial Interface

9 pin Serial Interface

Cable Required:
Serial Null Modem Cable, 9 pin female to 9 pin female.
36 pin Centronics Parallel Interface

36 pin Centronics Parallel Interface

Cable Required:
Parallel Cable, 25 pin male to 36 pin Centronics male.
USB Interface

USB Interface

Cable Required:
USB Cable
Ethernet Interface

Ethernet Interface

Cable Required:
CAT-5 Ethernet cable
25 pin Parallel Interface

25 pin Parallel Interface

Cable Required:
Parallel Cable, 25 pin male to 25 pin male.
25 pin Serial Interface

25 pin Serial Interface

Cable Required:
Serial Null Modem Cable, 9 pin female to 25 pin male.
25 pin ports Caution:
The 25 pin Parallel and 25 pin Serial interfaces look exactly the same externally. They both use a 25 pin D-shell connection.
interface boards A closer look will reveal that the electronics on the actual interfaces boards are different. The best way to determine which 25 pin communication interface is present in the printer is to print a configuration listing from the printer. This listing will show either RS232 Serial or P1284 Parallel. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing.

Filed under: Tips

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