Everything You Need to Know About USB Cables

We all have a drawer full of different types of cable, adaptors and connectors for mobile phones, TV, laptop, and more. One of the most popular cables that everyone has is a USB cable. Almost all chargers and connectors have ports. There are various types of USB cable, USB adapter, and connectors in the market which we do not know. They all have different purposes and this knowledge might come handy if we know what goes where. Let us understand them in detail so that if some device or our guest needs a specific cable, we can help them out.

What is a USB Cable?

USB (Universal Serial Bus) was created as a standard cable worldwide to connect computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. This made the global market to expand more as it gives users flexibility to buy electronic products and accessories from anywhere in the world. They are connected with the port on the electronic device. The purpose of using this cord is to either power the device or connect/transfer the data. These cords have replaced other cords in keyboards, printers and video game controllers that were used to transfer the data.

Types of USB Cables

The type of cable depends on the physical appearance of the connector. Let us discuss different types of connectors and other details about it.

USB Type A

This is the oldest and most widely used. It is compatible with USB 1.0 and upwards. This Type is mostly used for computers, laptops, flash drives, mobile phone chargers, etc. The shape of the connector is rectangular.

USB Type B

This type is mostly useful for powering devices. They are mostly seen on larger electrical items like printers and scanners. It is square shaped and has a wider aperture for the connectors.

USB Type C

These are the latest cables in the market. They are flat and symmetrical. They transfer data at much higher speed and with high quality. They generally get used for new laptops, mobile phones, and also at charging hubs. They are compatible from 1.1 onwards.

Mini USB

The name itself suggests that it is the mini connector ideal for handheld devices like mobile phone, tablets because they require small ports. They are mostly found on camera and camcorders. Now, Micro ones have taken the place of Mini USB.

Micro USB

These are smaller than mini USB and are now usually found on most smartphones, digital cameras, etc. They are compatible with USB 2.0 and 3.0.

USB Functionality

Basic functionality of these cables is to let the host communicate with peripherals or other devices. But these cables have become more than just a data interface. Here are some functions that work on different electronic devices. Some devices support more than one function also.

Power Delivery

USB C cables can transfer up to 100W of power. This eliminates the need for the power brick. This cable is the best choice for the peripherals like hard drives that draw high power. It is not necessary that all the devices and ports will support the power delivery function. So, before purchasing a cable, you go through the specification list to see whether it has power delivery functionality or not.

Charging Battery

The next functionality of these cables is for charging the battery. We all have used these cables to charge the phones. The cords have specifications that ensure the battery will charge safely and consistently. The cables designed for charging pull more power than a standard port for faster charging. USB 2.0 port provides current up to 500mA and USB 3.0 upto 900mA. There are cords that provide power upto 1.5A even while transferring data. It allows the device to communicate its charging requirements to ensure an optimal recharge.

USB On-the-Go

It allows the mobile devices to act as a host to other devices like a flash drive, mouse, or keyboard. It can utilize the functionality of the peripherals and still acts as a mass storage device. Its compliant devices will require an OTG adaptor that can allow connection to the peripherals.

DisplayPort Alt Mode

With this functionality, the connectors and cables can transmit data as well as DVI, VGA, HDMI or any audio video data. The USB adapters are used to connect to the DisplayPort output. As no drivers are required to use DisplayPort Alt Mode, it is easy to plug and play.

Conclusion

These cables are something that we will use at least once in a day. There are various types of these cables that go with different devices. They have multiple functionalities like charging and sharing data, only charging, DisplayPort Alt mode and, whatnot. This information helps us before buying any cable online.

Jennifer Truong is the owner of SF Cable, a california based online retailer of all kind of Computers, electronics, electrical accessories, networking accessories, cables, wires. Jennifer has extensive experience in the Electronics industry and blog.