The USB C design, which is the latest USB release, is unique because it’s the only USB that fits into another port type not specifically created for it: Thunderbolt 3. They are both the same shape and users can employ Thunderbolt 3 and USB C cables and ports interchangeably. All other male and female USB connector types only fit their corresponding male and female ports. For example, a USB port type b will only accept a USB type B connector. In a standard USB C cable, there are Type C connectors on both sides, and have been adopted by various smartphone companies. This is primarily due to the fast data transfer rate, as the cable has 24 pins, and is ideal for connecting monitors, charging high-powered devices, and transferring data in a business environment. If both connectors are USB Type-A, it would be a USB Type-A cable (or a USB male-to-male of cable or, simply, a USB cable). 2. AS ONE TYPE TO ANOTHER Depending on the version of the cable, USB 3.0 cables have a maximum length of 3m, and USB 2.0 has a 5m limit. It’s possible to employ an active extension USB cable to repeat the signal over a longer distance. USB 2.0 can then be extended to a maximum USB cable length of 25m and USB 3.0 to 18m. What are USB Cables Made of? CMD are a British manufacturing company that provides high-power systems to enhance office and homeworking environments. We provide vast product ranges, including power distribution systems and workstation power charging hubs.

USB connection types are only half the story, as USB has also gone through multiple standards of varying data transfer speeds. The cable's connector doesn't necessarily mean that it uses a certain standard. As with USB versions, the shape of the USB connection has also seen drastic changes over the years. With each new evolution of USB type, their form factor generally becomes smaller to accommodate for new, much thinner devices that are popular during the time of release. This type of connector looks and is physically the same as a Thunderbolt 3 port. Thunderbolt 3 and USB C ports and cables can be used interchangeably and utilised for data transfer, power output, and video. When using a Thunderbolt 3 port with a USB C cable, users can charge full-size electronics with up to 100W of power output. Even better, the top data transfer speed is 40Gbps with a Thunderbolt 3 port, meaning you can be more productive. We then looked at how fast the cable would charge and transfer data, and whether it supported an alternate mode to run a monitor, using real-world hardware. USB, which stands for Universal Serial Bus, refers to the system that transfers data between computers or between components within a computer, such as a keyboard or a mouse. Consisting of a type of cable and connector, many electronic devices will have a USB connection available, including in vehicles and modern workstation power systems.

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In most modern technology devices, there will be some form of USB connection available to connect equipment. Despite supposedly being universal, there are different variations of USB types and versions; including what connectors and cables each can use. Find out more about USB compatibility and the differences between USB versions here. What are the different types of USB connectors? If you’re looking for a high-quality USB-C cable that will give you excellent performance, it’s hard to beat Cable Matters 6-foot USB-C cable. The cable can do it all and do it all well (well, almost) from charging at up to 100 watts, transferring data from your USB 3.1 SSD, or running a monitor. The only area where it doesn’t excel is in Thunderbolt performance, which is limited to 20Gbps. That’s not a ding in our book because that’s the tradeoff of a 6-foot cable. To hit 40Gbps, you’d have to step down to a shorter cable.

Chris Hoffman is the former Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek. Chris has personally written over 2,000 articles that have been read more than one billion times---and that's just here at How-To Geek. Although there are 2.0 and 3.0 USB Type A connectors, all Type A plugs from any USB version will fit into the receptacle. However, there are certain differences between the 2.0 and 3.0 versions; for example, USB 3.0 has an additional nine pins to enable a faster data transfer rate.USB 3.x is the current standard for USB speeds. It's much faster than USB 2.0, and thus recommended for devices like external hard drives. You can typically identify a USB 3.x port or connector by its blue coloring. Some USB 3.0 ports also have an SS symbol (which stands for Super Speed). Most new computers have at least one USB 3 port, and high-quality flash drives use this standard. USB C is not as common as USB Type A and B, despite the additional benefits. Interested in workstation power?

This is the current standard, and it marries power and data delivery with display connectivity. USB-C is what you'll see on most new devices like smartphones, game controllers, earbud cases, microphones, and laptops. Its form factor is small, oblong, and reversible, so it can be plugged in either way (take that, USB-A). The port's 100-watt connection makes it perfectly suited for fast charging and data transfers, even with larger devices. USB Mini-A: These connectors are small and mostly rectangular with one very rounded side. USB 2.0 Mini-A plugs are only compatible with USB 2.0 Mini-AB receptacles.

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Compared to Type A, the USB Type B connectors are square with a slight rounding or large square protrusion on the top. op. Certain Type B plugs are not physically compatible. USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 Type B plugs can be used with 3.0 version receptacles; however, USB 3.0 Type B plugs cannot be used with 2.0 or 1.1 Type B receptacles. USB Type A: These connectors are technically called USB 2.0 Standard-A and are the perfectly rectangular USB connectors you'll find on most non-mobile devices. USB 2.0 Type A connectors are physically compatible with those from USB 3.0 and USB 1.1. Another important aspect is cable length. Short cables are great for portability, but that can leave you sitting on the floor next to a power outlet as your phone charges. On the other hand, a cable that's too long can be inconvenient to carry, will tangle more easily, and is potentially a tripping hazard. With these cables, the type is whichever end of the cable isn’t the standard USB Type-A connector. So, for example, a cable with both a USB Type-A and a Type-C connector is a USB Type-C cable.