USB/Connector/Ref/USB-C

• USB-C Connector Reference

  • Visual Reference

    • 
    • Photo: CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

  • Overview

    • USB Type-C connector, the modern USB standard connector
    • Introduced with USB 3.1 specification (2014)
    • Oval/rounded rectangle shape, fully reversible (can be inserted either way)
    • Supports USB4, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort Alt Mode, and Power Delivery
    • Designed to replace USB-A, USB-B, and their variants

  • Physical Specifications

    • Dimensions:
      • Width: 8.3 mm
      • Height: 2.5 mm
      • Length: Variable (depends on plug design)
    • Pin Count: 24 pins (12 pins per side, symmetrical)
    • Orientation: Fully reversible (can be inserted either way)
    • Gender: Male connector (plugs into device)
    • Symmetry: Electrically and mechanically symmetrical

  • Technical Specifications

    • USB Versions Supported: USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, USB4
    • Data Transfer Rates:
      • USB 2.0: 480 Mbps (High-Speed)
      • USB 3.0 (3.1 Gen 1, 3.2 Gen 1): 5 Gbps (SuperSpeed)
      • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (3.2 Gen 2): 10 Gbps (SuperSpeed+)
      • USB 3.2 Gen 2x2: 20 Gbps (dual-lane)
      • USB4 Gen 2: 20 Gbps
      • USB4 Gen 3: 40 Gbps
    • Power Delivery:
      • USB 2.0/3.0: Up to 15W (5V @ 3A)
      • USB Power Delivery 2.0: Up to 100W (20V @ 5A)
      • USB Power Delivery 3.0: Up to 100W
      • USB Power Delivery 3.1: Up to 240W (48V @ 5A)
    • Alternate Modes:
      • DisplayPort Alt Mode (video output)
      • Thunderbolt 3/4 (high-speed data and video)
      • HDMI Alt Mode (video output)
      • MHL Alt Mode (mobile video)

  • Pin Configuration

    • 24-pin configuration (12 pins per side):
      • A1/B1: GND (Ground)
      • A2/B2: TX1+ / TX2+ (SuperSpeed transmit positive)
      • A3/B3: TX1- / TX2- (SuperSpeed transmit negative)
      • A4/B4: VBUS (Power bus)
      • A5/B5: CC1/CC2 (Configuration channel)
      • A6/B6: D+ (USB 2.0 data positive)
      • A7/B7: D- (USB 2.0 data negative)
      • A8/B8: SBU1/SBU2 (Sideband use)
      • A9/B9: VBUS (Power bus)
      • A10/B10: RX2- / RX1- (SuperSpeed receive negative)
      • A11/B11: RX2+ / RX1+ (SuperSpeed receive positive)
      • A12/B12: GND (Ground)

  • Compatibility

    • Compatible Connectors:
      • USB/Connector/Ref/USB-A (via adapter or cable)
      • USB/Connector/Ref/USB-B (via adapter or cable)
      • USB/Connector/Ref/USB-B Micro (via adapter or cable)
      • USB/Connector/Ref/Lightning (via adapter)
      • Other USB-C connectors (native)
    • Backward Compatibility:
      • USB-C ports support all previous USB versions (2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2)
      • Requires appropriate cables/adapters for older connector types
      • USB-C to USB-A/B cables are commonly available

  • Common Use Cases

    • Modern laptops and tablets
    • Smartphones (Android, some iPhones)
    • External storage devices (SSDs, hard drives)
    • Monitors and displays (via DisplayPort Alt Mode)
    • Charging adapters and power banks
    • Docking stations and hubs
    • Audio interfaces and MIDI controllers
    • Video capture devices
    • Network adapters

  • Variants and Capabilities

    • USB-C with USB 2.0 Only

      • Supports only USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps)
      • Lower cost, used in charging cables and simple devices

    • USB-C with USB 3.0/3.1/3.2

      • Supports SuperSpeed data transfer
      • May or may not support Power Delivery
      • May or may not support Alternate Modes

    • USB-C with USB4

      • Supports USB4 Gen 2 (20 Gbps) or Gen 3 (40 Gbps)
      • Typically supports Power Delivery
      • May support Thunderbolt 4 compatibility

    • USB-C with Thunderbolt

      • Supports Thunderbolt 3 or 4 protocols
      • Provides highest data transfer rates
      • Supports DisplayPort and other Alt Modes
      • Usually marked with Thunderbolt logo

  • E-Marker Chips

    • Most USB-C cables contain E-Marker chips that identify cable capabilities
    • E-Marker provides information about:
      • USB signaling protocol (2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, USB4)
      • Power delivery capabilities
      • Cable construction (passive/active)
      • Supported Alternate Modes
      • Vendor-specific functionality
    • See: Adafruit/Understanding USB Type C - Cable Types Pitfalls etc

  • Visual Identification

    • Oval/rounded rectangle shape
    • Fully symmetrical design
    • No "up" or "down" orientation
    • Smaller and more compact than USB-A or USB-B
    • May have logos indicating capabilities (USB, Thunderbolt, etc.)

  • Standards

    • Defined in USB-IF USB Type-C specification
    • USB 3.1 specification (2014) - initial USB-C standard
    • USB 3.2 specification - enhanced USB-C capabilities
    • USB4 specification - latest USB-C standard
    • USB Power Delivery specification - power delivery protocol
    • DisplayPort Alt Mode specification - video output capability

  • Important Considerations

    • Cable Quality Matters: Not all USB-C cables support the same capabilities
    • Power Delivery: Requires compatible devices and cables for high-power charging
    • Data Speeds: Actual speeds depend on both device and cable capabilities
    • Alternate Modes: Not all USB-C ports support all Alternate Modes
    • Thunderbolt: USB-C ports may or may not support Thunderbolt (check device specifications)

  • Related References

    • USB/Connector/Ref/Index
    • USB/Connector/Ref/USB-A
    • USB/Connector/Ref/USB-B
    • USB/Connector/Ref/USB-B Micro
    • USB/Connector/Ref/Lightning
    • Adafruit/Understanding USB Type C - Cable Types Pitfalls etc
    • USB/How To/Identify Connector Type (when created)
    • USB/How To/Choose Correct Cable (when created)