A full-featured USB-C cable is designed to support a large number of connections, which translates into many individual wires or wire pairs within the cable structure. While the exact count can vary slightly based on the specific cable's capabilities and manufacturing, the design is centered around a significantly increased pin count compared to older USB versions.
According to information related to connectors like those illustrated by Amphenol, the USB-C connector features 24 connections. This is a considerable increase from its ancestor, which had only four wires.
Understanding the 24 Connections
The USB-C connector is engineered for versatility and high performance. As referenced, it provides 24 connections or pins. These pins are logically arranged in two rows, with 12 connections on each side:
- Row A: Pins A1 through A12
- Row B: Pins B1 through B12 (often mirrored or inverted relative to Row A for reversible insertion)
These multiple connections allow USB-C to handle a wide range of functions simultaneously, including:
- Multiple high-speed data lanes (for standards like USB 3.x, USB4, Thunderbolt 3/4)
- Lower-speed data lines (for USB 2.0 compatibility)
- Power delivery lines (up to 240W with USB Power Delivery 3.1)
- Sideband use pins (for alternate modes like DisplayPort, HDMI, Ethernet)
- Configuration channel pins (for determining cable orientation, power roles, and alternate modes)
Wires vs. Connections
While there are 24 connections on the connector, the number of physical wires inside the cable corresponds to how many of these connections are actually utilized and how they are bundled (e.g., as twisted pairs for data).
- Full-Featured USB-C Cables: These cables contain numerous wires, including shielded pairs for high-speed data, wires for USB 2.0 data, power wires, and configuration wires. The wire count is substantial, corresponding to the 24 pins used for comprehensive functionality.
- Basic USB-C Cables (USB 2.0 Only): Cheaper or simpler cables designed only for charging or USB 2.0 speeds use significantly fewer wires, perhaps similar to the original four-wire structure plus a few extra for configuration and power, but still within the USB-C form factor.
The crucial point highlighted by the reference is the foundational design of the connector having 24 connections, enabling the advanced capabilities that necessitate many internal wires in a full-featured cable.
Comparison: USB-C vs. Ancestor
| Feature | USB-C (Full-Featured) | USB (Ancestor) |
|---|---|---|
| Connections/Pins | 24 | 4 |
| Typical Wires | Many (correlating to 24 pins for full features) | 4 |
| Key Advantage | Versatility, High Speed, Power Delivery | Simplicity |
In summary, while the number of wires can vary based on the cable's design and supported features, the USB-C standard is built upon a foundation of 24 connections, a significant leap from the four wires of its predecessors, which dictates the need for numerous wires in a full-featured cable.
