Different Types of USB Data Cable Connectors
A USB data cable is primarily used to connect computer peripherals such as the keyboard, computer mouse, printer, digital camera, portable media player, disk drive and a network adapter to a personal computer, both to communicate and provide electrical power. It also has become the standard connection for portable devices such as smartphones and handheld game consoles.
A USB data cable has several connectors of its kind, it includes Standard-A, Standard-B, Mini USB and Micro USB. There are two different styles of connectors, Type A and Type B. Type As are for host and USB hubs such as personal computers while types Bs are for peripheral devices like keyboard, mouse, etc. They also vary in size that ranges: standard, mini and micro. Below are the descriptions of each type of USB connectors.
Standard-A
A USB Standard Type A plug, the most common USB plug, is rectangular in shape and plugs into a downstream-port on the USB host or a hub. It can carry both data and electrical power. This plug end is commonly used on peripheral devices which are attached permanently.
Standard-B
This connector has a square shape that connects into an upstream receptacle found on devices with removable cables such as printers. On some devices, the standard-B has no data connection but only supply electrical power.
Most USB data cables that connect to a computer have a standard-A connector on one end and another USB connector on the other.
Mini USB Connectors
These connectors are small in size and are made for portable hand-held devices such as mobile phones, mp3 players, handheld game consoles, etc. This design is more compact and space-efficient than standard USB connectors which it is also commonly used nowadays as mobile USB charger. There are two types of mini USB connectors, Mini A and Mini B. The differences between the two are the upper halves of their vertical edges. Mini A's sides are straight while Mini B's are rounded.
Micro USB Connectors
This design is the most commonly used connector on latest hand-held devices. It is smaller than the mini plug design and since January 2007, the USB-IF approved this connector as the most space-conscious connector. The micro plug design went through connect-disconnect test and was rated for at least 10,000 cycles which is more than the mini plug design. This design is also rigid and durable among all previous designs; it is made to withstand mechanical wear and tear of connection and disconnection.
A USB data cable has several connectors of its kind, it includes Standard-A, Standard-B, Mini USB and Micro USB. There are two different styles of connectors, Type A and Type B. Type As are for host and USB hubs such as personal computers while types Bs are for peripheral devices like keyboard, mouse, etc. They also vary in size that ranges: standard, mini and micro. Below are the descriptions of each type of USB connectors.
Standard-A
A USB Standard Type A plug, the most common USB plug, is rectangular in shape and plugs into a downstream-port on the USB host or a hub. It can carry both data and electrical power. This plug end is commonly used on peripheral devices which are attached permanently.
Standard-B
This connector has a square shape that connects into an upstream receptacle found on devices with removable cables such as printers. On some devices, the standard-B has no data connection but only supply electrical power.
Most USB data cables that connect to a computer have a standard-A connector on one end and another USB connector on the other.
Mini USB Connectors
These connectors are small in size and are made for portable hand-held devices such as mobile phones, mp3 players, handheld game consoles, etc. This design is more compact and space-efficient than standard USB connectors which it is also commonly used nowadays as mobile USB charger. There are two types of mini USB connectors, Mini A and Mini B. The differences between the two are the upper halves of their vertical edges. Mini A's sides are straight while Mini B's are rounded.
Micro USB Connectors
This design is the most commonly used connector on latest hand-held devices. It is smaller than the mini plug design and since January 2007, the USB-IF approved this connector as the most space-conscious connector. The micro plug design went through connect-disconnect test and was rated for at least 10,000 cycles which is more than the mini plug design. This design is also rigid and durable among all previous designs; it is made to withstand mechanical wear and tear of connection and disconnection.
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