USB C Wiring Diagram: Everything You Need to Know

The USB-C connector is the newest USB interface that has taken the tech world by storm as it offers many advantages over its predecessors. The USB-C connector is small, reversible, and capable of transferring data, audio, and video at high speeds. It is used in many devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and portable power banks. However, understanding the USB-C wiring diagram is essential to make sure that you use the connector safely and correctly. In this article, we will provide an in-depth explanation of the USB-C wiring diagram.

What is USB-C?

USB-C is a new industry-standard connector that was introduced in 2014. It is a small, oval-shaped, reversible connector that can be used for multiple purposes such as charging, data transfer, and audio and video streaming. USB-C is designed to replace older USB interfaces such as mini-USB, micro-USB, and USB-A.

The USB-C connector has several advantages over its predecessors. Firstly, it is reversible, meaning that you can plug it in either way, unlike older connectors that can only be inserted one way. Secondly, it is much faster than older versions of USB. USB-C can transfer data at a rate of up to 10 Gbps, whereas older versions of USB can only transfer data at a maximum of 480 Mbps.

USB-C Pinout

The USB-C connector has 24 pins arranged in two rows; 12 pins on top and 12 pins on the bottom. The pins are numbered from 1 to 24 in a counter-clockwise direction starting from the top left corner. The pins are grouped into four sections:

  • Power pins (Vbus, GND)
  • USB 2.0 data pins (D+, D-)
  • USB 3.0 data pins (TX+, TX-, RX+, RX-)
  • Configuration pins (SBU1, SBU2, CC1, CC2)

Let’s take a closer look at each of these sections.

Power Pins

The power pins are responsible for providing power to the connected device. The power pins are Vbus and GND, which are pins 1 and 2, respectively. Vbus is the power pin that provides a voltage of 5V or 20V depending on the power delivery configuration. The GND pin is the ground reference pin.

USB 2.0 Data Pins

The USB 2.0 data pins are responsible for data transfer at USB 2.0 speeds (up to 480 Mbps). The USB 2.0 data pins are D+ and D-, which are pins 3 and 4, respectively. D+ and D- are differential pairs that are used to send and receive data between the host and the device.

USB 3.0 Data Pins

The USB 3.0 data pins are responsible for data transfer at USB 3.0 speeds (up to 10 Gbps). The USB 3.0 data pins are TX+, TX-, RX+, and RX-, which are pins 9, 11, 10, and 12, respectively. TX+ and TX- are differential pairs that are used to send data from the host to the device. RX+ and RX- are differential pairs that are used to receive data from the device to the host.

Configuration Pins

The configuration pins are responsible for negotiating the mode of operation between the host and the device. The configuration pins are SBU1, SBU2, CC1, and CC2, which are pins 17, 19, 18, and 20, respectively. SBU1 and SBU2 are used to carry alternate mode signals such as DisplayPort or Thunderbolt. CC1 and CC2 are used to determine the role of the connected device (host or device) and to negotiate power delivery.

USB-C Wiring Diagram

The USB-C wiring diagram is a bit more complicated than previous versions of USB. The USB-C wiring diagram allows for many features such as power delivery, alternate modes, and data transfer at different speeds.

The USB-C wiring diagram consists of several pins that are used for different purposes, as shown below:

Pin Number Pin Name Description
1 Vbus Power Delivery
2 GND Ground Reference
3 D+ USB 2.0 Data Transfer +
4 D- USB 2.0 Data Transfer –
5 CC1 Configuration Channel 1
6 SBU1 Sideband Use 1
7 USB 2.0 Data OTG
8 USB 2.0 Data OTG
9 TX+ USB 3.0 Data Transfer +
10 RX+ USB 3.0 Data Transfer +
11 TX- USB 3.0 Data Transfer –
12 RX- USB 3.0 Data Transfer –
13 USB 2.0 Data OTG
14 USB 2.0 Data OTG
15 SBU2 Sideband Use 2
16 Vconn Power Delivery
17 CC2 Configuration Channel 2
18-24 Not Connected

The USB-C wiring diagram allows for several different modes of operation, such as USB 3.0 mode, DisplayPort mode, and Thunderbolt 3 mode. It also allows for power delivery up to 100W, which is useful for charging laptops and other power-hungry devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a USB-C cable to charge my laptop?

A: Yes, USB-C cables can be used to charge laptops that support USB-C power delivery. However, you need to make sure that the cable you use is capable of delivering the required power.

Q: Can I use a USB-C to USB-A adapter to connect my USB-C device to a USB-A port?

A: Yes, you can use a USB-C to USB-A adapter to connect your USB-C device to a USB-A port. However, you need to make sure that the adapter supports the required data transfer speed and power delivery.

Q: Can I use a USB-C hub to connect multiple devices to my laptop?

A: Yes, you can use a USB-C hub to connect multiple devices to your laptop. However, you need to make sure that the hub supports the required data transfer speed and power delivery.

Q: Can I use a USB-C cable to transfer data between two devices?

A: Yes, USB-C cables can be used to transfer data between two devices at high speeds. However, you need to make sure that the cable you use supports the required data transfer speed.

Q: Can I use a USB-C cable to charge my smartphone?

A: Yes, USB-C cables can be used to charge smartphones that support USB-C power delivery. However, you need to make sure that the cable you use is capable of delivering the required power.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the USB-C connector is a versatile and powerful interface that is rapidly becoming the new standard for data transfer and power delivery. Understanding the USB-C wiring diagram is essential to use the connector safely and correctly. We hope that this article has provided you with the information you need to understand the USB-C wiring diagram.