What You Need To Know About USB-C Cables

What You Need To Know About USB-C Cables

USB-C, or USB Type C connectors, are thinly shaped, small, and have an oval, asymmetrical appearance. Not only do they look dissimilar to older USB (Universal Serial Bus) types, they differ in many other ways as well.

When compared to USB Type B and USB Type A, a major USB-C cable connector difference is that it's entirely reversible. It doesn't have to be plugged in a certain way – there is no "right side up". USB-C supports USB 3.1 and 3.2 but is also backward-compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.

Capabilities of the USB-C 24-Pin Cable

The USB-C 24-pin cable can relay the following:

  • Data as fast as 10 Gb/s
  • Power up to 100 W
  • Video

Why is that important? These capabilities mean the cable can be used for charging high powered devices, connecting monitors, and transferring data from device to device (think one phone to another or from a phone to a computer).

At either end, the standard USB-C cable has Type C connectors. There are USB-C to USB-A converters available for devices that require USB Type C cables, which can be used to transfer data or to charge USB-C devices. The data transfer referred to here would be over the standard USB Type A port to a computer.

Though frequently found in white, adapters and cables used for USB Type C can be red, black, blue, and more.

Uses for USB-C

Nowhere near as common as USB Types A and B, USB Type C is pretty new. Though a USB-C cable may not be required by all your devices just yet, this could soon be a given. Many, most, or all of your devices may one day need a USB-C cable including external hard drives, power banks, monitors, phones, tablets, desktops, laptops, flash drives, and more.

Example: One of today's computers that supports USB-C for video output, data transfers, and charging, is Apple's MacBook. Additionally, USB-C connections can be found on some versions of Chromebook.

In place of the standard jack, some headphones also use USB-C.

So that either type of USB port can be used, both A and C connectors are present on some devices because, at least right now, USB-C ports aren't yet as common as Type A USB.

Compatibility 

You can't plug a USB Type C cable into a USB-B or USB-A port because the sizes are different. The Type C cable is smaller. But don't despair! You can do all sorts of things with the numerous adapters available today. In fact, when it comes to purchasing adapters, USB cables (of all types), wireless chargers, and more, there is one company that stands above the others.

Allow us to introduce you to the friendly, helpful, and caring electronics accessories company known as Pacroban.

Shop USB Connectors at Pacroban

Is it time to upgrade to fiber optic cables? At Pacroban, we stock a nice selection of fiber optic cables that are suitable for the AV world, games, smart homes, laptops, and much more. 

If you have any questions, please contact us at pacroban@gmail.com and our friendly customer service representatives will get back to you as quickly as they can.

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