USB-C

Ports
Explained
Lets talk basics.

Users are always asking about USB ports

and their input/output power. Why does
it seem every year a new device is coming
out with a new standard? What is USB-C?
What is USB-A? Can USB-C charge my
phone or tablet? These are all common
questions we will review to help explain
what the dierences and the features
that each USB port can provide.

What are the dierent USB types?

Think of USB-A, USB-B and USB-C as dierent generation FORM factors.
Think of USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 as transfer speed factors. Colors
represent their capable speeds. White = 2.0, Blue = 3.0

USB-A / 2.0 USB-B / 3.0

Standard USB port with Commonly used with
standard data transfer USB Hubs and Printers.
of 480 megabits per 5 Gbps transfer speeds.
second. Power Output: (if blue = 3.0 if white =
500mA (0.5A 2.0)

USB-A / 3.0 USB-C / 3.1 / TB3

Standard USB Port 5 Gbps - 40 Gbps
with data transfer of Transfer Speeds.
5 Gigabits per second Commonly found on new
(Over 10x faster than Laptops and Smart
2.0) Power Ouput: Phones
900mA (0.9A)

What is the difference : USB-C | USB-C 3.1Gen 1

& Gen 2 | Thunderbolt 3
Think of USB-C as a generalized form factor, it identifies the shape of
the connector. The different protocols/versions of USB-C determines
how your device will perform. In fact, there are some brand new USB-
C devices that only support USB 2.0 speeds.

According to USB-IF ( Governing Body of all things USB)

Gen1
USB 3.0 is now considered USB 3.1 Gen 1 ( Speeds up to 5Gbps)
USB 3.1 is now considered USB 3.1 Gen 2 ( Speeds up to 10Gbps)
Thunderbolt 3 (Speeds up to 40 Gbps)

USB-C 3.1 provides "Power Delivery" (PD Function) for 15 or 100 Watts of
Gen2 power. That is up to 5 Amps of power delivery. Alternate Mode for HDMI 1.4b
DisplayPort 1.3, or MHL 3.0 video. It is also backwards compatible with USB
3.0
USB 3.1 Gen 1 = Super Speed | USB 3.1 Gen 2 = Super Speed +

Max Max Power Release

Power Direction Cable Configuration
Speed Output Date

USB 2.0 480 Mbps 5V 1.8 Amps Host to peripheral USB-A to USB-B 2000

USB 3.0/ USB 3.1

5 Gbps 5V 1.8 Amps Host to peripheral USB-A to USB-B 2008
Gen 1

USB 3.1/ USB 3.1 Bi directional | Host to USB-C both ends. USB-A to USB-C
10 Gbps 20V 5 Amp 2013
Gen 2 peripheral compatible

Please note* USB ports on your desktop or laptop were designed for data transfers not power output. This is why
you will notice computer USB ports are usually slow to charge phones and tablets. Regular USB 2.0 ports will
provide 500mA (.5A) of power. USB 3.0 ports will provide 900mA (.9A) output. Unless otherwise noted expect
these power outputs for standard USB 2.0/3.0 ports.

What is Thunderbolt 3?
Thunderbolt 3 (TB3) Is the most powerful form of USB-C protocol. It does everything!

40 Gbps Transfer Speeds

Multiple 4K Monitor Resolutions

Supports 5K Resolution

Up to 100 Watts of Power Delivery

Compatible with multiple protocols:

HDMI, Firewire, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 2, Ethernet, VGA,
Displayport, PCI Express

Simply identify if your device is

Thunderbolt 3 compatible by looking
for the TB3 Icon

Have more questions? Feel free to

contact us with inquiries!
support@JuicedSystems.com
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Juiced Systems offers the best
USB-C Adapters, Hubs and
Docking stations. See our USB-C
product line here.

www.JuicedSystems.com