Cheap shielded limit switch cables

thingiverse

I make my own 3D printers, but I'm still learning and making mistakes. When creating a custom limit switch, I like to think outside the box and avoid common pitfalls. Most people I know have too many USB cables just taking up space. That's why I use them as shielded wires for limit switches. They're ideal because they don't require power and are already protected from noise. The STL file I provide is a placeholder, so you can disregard it altogether. Let me show you how to convert an old USB cable into a makeshift shielded wire for your 3D printer. **Step-by-Step Instructions** Grab your trusty side cutters and trim off both connectors on the end of the cable. Carefully peel back the insulation to expose the inner wires, including the shielding layer. Most cables come with four thin wires: red, black, green, and white. We need only two for this hack, so twist together the red and black wires and attach them to one side of the limit switch. Twist the remaining white and green wires together and solder them onto the other terminal of the limit switch. Remember to cut away the shield layer and remove any leftover shielding wire. Next, repeat the process on the circuit board side, connecting red, black, and green, white in pairs, but this time, add a bare shield wire connected directly to ground. Now you have an effective shielded cable without breaking the bank.