USB Type C Plug Breakout

Soldered USB Type-C connector on a 5-pin breakout board

USB-C has become the standard USB interface in many types of devices, replacing Micro-B or Lightning connectors. This product features the horizontal plug version. We also stock the version with the classic vertical USB-C plug.

USB-C offers a symmetrical, reversible connector, more pins for data transfer and a higher current capacity. However, for most developers, the pin configuration familiar from previous standards will work perfectly well here too (the Vcc, D+, D-, GND sequence).This breakout board provides all the basic functionality you might need, along with a pre-soldered resistor to ensure you get a 5V supply.

There is a 5.1K resistor on pin CC1, so if you connect it to a computer or a power supply, the upstream port will supply 5V and up to 1.5A. The ability to deliver this current will depend on the power source you connect to.

As USB Type-C is symmetrical and reversible, it has two pairs of identical connectors for each pin internally, one above and one below. So, unlike USB Type-C female connectors, the male USB connector does not use both sets of D+/D-/CC pins, because this is how the host detects the cable’s orientation. Therefore, when you connect the breakout board to the pads, you will be on the ‘A’ side. The socket at the other end of the cable will handle connecting the data pins.

For most applications, you can simply connect VBUS to the 5V input, GND to ground, and D+ and D- as expected. You can find further details by following this link: an introductory application note on USB-C.

Technical details

Product dimensions: 24.1 x 14.3 x 3.1 mm / 0.9″ x 0.6″ x 0.1″
Product weight: 1.1g / 0.0oz

Adafruit name: USB Type C Plug Breakout [ADA5978]