USB cables with type-C connectors are connections for
fast data transfer, audio and image transfer as well as power supply at a power of up to 100W. In order to combine all these functions in one plug and socket type, the standardized format USB-C was developed. In the EU area, USB Type-C is to become the standardized charging connection.
Originally, these connections were defined by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) with a length of up to 1m and straight connectors with or without screw locking.
The USB type-C cables act as a
multifunctional interface for various USB standards and can thus be used for many different applications. The possibilities include a usage as:
- Type-C to USB-A adapter in USB standard USB 3.0 with data rates up to 5Gbit/sec,
- Type-C to USB micro-B adapter in USB standard USB 3.0 with data rates of up to 5 Gbit/sec,
- Type-C to Type-C cable in USB standard USB 3.0 with data rates up to 5Gbit/sec,
- Type-C to Type-C cable in USB standard USB 3.1 with data rates up to 10Gbit/sec,
- Type-C to Type-C cable in USB standard USB 3.2 with data rates up to 20Gbit/sec,
- Type-C to Type-C cable in USB standard USB 4.0 with data rates up to 40Gbit/sec,
- Type-C to Type-C cable for the transmission of Thunderbolt signals up to 40 Gbit.
In addition, there are other applications for USB cables with type-C connectors, for example as
type-C to X cables for charging purposes (for smartphones, tablets, etc.) and for any application and signal regardless the standard. Depending on the control or handshake, it is possible, to use two or four lanes for the transmission of display port signals.
There are also
different versions of USB Type-C cables available. We briefly present the different versions in detail here.