Centronics Interface



The Centronics Interface Connector is a standard printer connector. It uses a 36 pins amphenol connector. The printer is equipped with the female connector.




Pin Abbreviation Signal / Function
1 STROBE - Strobe (active low to read data)
2 DATA 1 - data line 1
3 DATA 2 - data line 2
4 DATA 3 - data line 3
5 DATA 4 - data line 4
6 DATA 5 - data line 5
7 DATA 6 - data line 6
8 DATA 7 - data line 7
9 DATA 8 - data line 8
10 ACKNLG - Acknowledge (pulsed low to indicate that data has been received)
11 BUSY - Busy (taken high under the following conditions:
     (a) during data entry
     (b) during printing operation
     (c) when printer is OFF-LINE
     (d) during print error status)
12 PE - Paper end (taken high to indicate that the printer is out of paper)
13 SLCT - Select (taken high to indicate that the printer is in the selected state)
14 AUTO FEED XT - Automatic feed (when this input is taken low, the printer is instructed to produce an automatic line feed after printing.  This function can be selected internally by means of a DIP switch)
15 n.c. - Not connected (unused)
16 0V - Logic ground
17 CHASSIS GND - Printer chassis (normally isolated from logic ground at the printer)
18 n.c. - Not connected (unused)
19-30 GND - Signal ground (originally defined as 'twisted pair earth returns' for pin numbers 1 to 12 inclusive)
31 INIT - Initialize (this line is pulsed low to reset the printer controller)
32 ERROR - Error (taken low by the printer to indicate:
     (a) PAPER END state
     (b) OFF-LINE state
     (c) error state)
33 GND - Signal ground
34 n.c. - Not connected (unused)
35 LOGIC 1 - Logic 1 (usually pulled high via 3.3 kohm)
36 SLCT IN - Select input (data entry to printer is only possible when this line is taken low, but this function may beł disabled by means of an internal DIP switch)