USB Type C Vertical Breakout

Vertical USB Type-C connector soldered onto an 8-pin breakout board

USB-C has become the standard USB interface in many types of devices, replacing Micro-B or Lightning connectors. This product is the vertical version of the classic plug. We also stock the version with the horizontal 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 necessary basic functionality, with a resistor configuration that emulates classic USB 2.0 for a downstream connection.

The two 5.1K resistors on the CC pins instruct the upstream port to supply 5V and up to 1.5A (the ability to deliver this current depends on the device you are connecting to). Furthermore, the fact that there are two resistors, on CC1 and CC2, indicates to the host that the connector does not require orientation, allowing both side A and side B of the connector to be used.

For most applications, you can connect VBUS to your 5V input, GND to ground, and D+ and D- as usual. You can monitor the CC and SBU pins to determine the cable’s polarity or to send support data; alternatively, you can leave them disconnected.

The S1 and S2 pins can primarily be used to support low-speed control signals, analogue audio mode (if compatible with the device), or for diagnostic/debugging purposes.

As this is a vertical connector, the product comes with two identical header strips so that it can be laid flat on a breadboard, along with four mounting holes in case you wish to secure it to an enclosure.

You can find further details by visiting the following link: an introductory application note on USB-C.

Technical details

Product dimensions: 30.5 x 15.2 x 11.1 mm / 1.2″ x 0.6″ x 0.4″
Product weight: 2.2g / 0.1oz

Adafruit name: USB Type C Vertical Breakout – Downstream Connection [ADA5993]