USB-A male plug pin isolator (back-power blocker)

thingiverse

This is an unusual way to get data-only or power-only USB connections. A small "mat" goes between the pins of the USB plug and the USB socket, disconnecting some pins. For a data-only connection, the VCC pin is isolated. For a power-only connection, the D+ and D- pins are isolated. I created this because I noticed that my Ender 3 stays partially powered through USB backpower when it's off but connected to the Raspberry PI / OctoPi, causing high-frequency noise in this state. This might not be good for the electronics. Instead of cutting a USB cable, I thought maybe I could make something. The SCAD can be used with customizer to isolate any pins you want or if you need a different tolerance. A higher tolerance makes the mat more narrow and more likely to fit inside the USB plug. **Note:** Use at your own risk! This thing might get stuck in the plug, causing bent pins or falling into your device. You may have to turn your device upside down for this concept to work - be careful! **Note:** Take note that the USB pins push down in the back of the plug, so the whole part of the mat goes in the front. The photo was a prototype and isn't the final model, but it shows the idea of how to insert this. **Note:** Google "USB pinout" to make sure you put the mat into the plug correctly. In my photo, the VCC pin is to the right. **Note:** MrFoxi mentioned that USB power may be used while flashing the Ender3/printer firmware, so if you want to do this and have installed this thing, remove it first. **Update 12/08/18:** Added GCODEs from Simplify3D. These settings worked alright with Creality Ender 3: 210 degree Celsius nozzle, 60 degree Celsius bed, layer height 0.1mm, extrusion width 0.2mm, 40% outline overlap, slow speed, and only one layer. **Update 25/05/19:** Removed the prime strip from GCODE files to prevent people crashing their clips due to this feature. Sorry about that - Simplify3D always added this strip for me, and I got used to it.