USB Type-C Pinout and Wiring Guide

USB Type-C is a 24-pin reversible connector that supports power delivery, data transfer, and video output. Below is a pinout diagram and explanation of key pins.


1. USB Type-C Pinout Diagram

USB Type-C has two identical rows of 12 pins, making it reversible. The key functional groups are:

┌──────────────┬──────────────┐
│ A1  GND      │ B12  GND     │
│ A2  TX1+     │ B11  TX2+    │
│ A3  TX1-     │ B10  TX2-    │
│ A4  VBUS     │ B9   VBUS    │
│ A5  CC1      │ B8   SBU2    │
│ A6  D+       │ B7   D+      │
│ A7  D-       │ B6   D-      │
│ A8  SBU1     │ B5   CC2     │
│ A9  VBUS     │ B4   VBUS    │
│ A10 RX2-     │ B3   RX1-    │
│ A11 RX2+     │ B2   RX1+    │
│ A12 GND      │ B1   GND     │
└──────────────┴──────────────┘

2. Key Pins and Their Functions

PinFunctionDescription
VBUS (A4, A9, B4, B9)Power (5V to 20V)Provides power to devices.
GND (A1, A12, B1, B12)GroundCommon ground reference.
CC1 (A5), CC2 (B5)Configuration ChannelUsed for orientation detection and power negotiation.
D+ (A6, B7), D- (A7, B6)USB 2.0 Data LinesStandard USB 2.0 communication.
TX/RX (A2, A3, A10, A11, B2, B3, B10, B11)High-Speed Data TransferUsed for USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 communication.
SBU1 (A8), SBU2 (B8)Sideband UseUsed for alternate modes (e.g., DisplayPort, Thunderbolt).

3. USB Type-C Basic Wiring for Power

If you are using USB Type-C for power (5V output), connect:

  • VBUS → 5V
  • GND → GND
  • CC1 or CC2 → 5.1kΩ resistor to GND (for device detection)

⚠️ Important:

  • Without a 5.1kΩ pull-down resistor on CC1 or CC2, some devices may not power on.
  • For USB Power Delivery (PD), you need an IC to negotiate higher voltages (e.g., 9V, 12V, 20V).

4. USB Type-C to USB 2.0 Wiring Example

To connect a USB Type-C plug to a USB 2.0 device:

USB Type-C   →   USB 2.0
--------------------------
VBUS (A4, B4) →  5V (Red)
GND (A1, B1)  →  GND (Black)
D+ (A6, B7)   →  D+ (Green)
D- (A7, B6)   →  D- (White)
CC1 (A5)      →  5.1kΩ to GND
CC2 (B5)      →  5.1kΩ to GND

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