Type-C in Micro USB footprint (female connectors) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: joric
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2018, 10:25:01 pm
content: Stumbled upon those weird 6-pin female Type-C connectors on Aliexpress:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-Micro-USB-6pin-type-C-Female-Connector-USB3-1-For-Mobile-Phone-Mini-USB-Jack/32885941456.htmlNo pinout, just sizes. 6-pin Type-C? What they are for? Also maybe someone knows if there are Type-C connectors with Micro USB footprint, I'd gladly replace every Micro USB at home with those Type-C puppies if footprints matched. These ones look almost like it.Pictures:Upd:Look like these:So no Micro USB compatible data pins, CC1 and CC2 are voltage switching lines and D+ and D- don't seem to be connected. SAD!

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2018, 10:59:17 pm
content: This is an interesting find. I was looking for something like this.Nope. Misinterpreted the schematic.Here is an article that shows the pinout of the 6-pin connectorhttps://www.scorpia.co.uk/2016/03/17/using-usb-type-c-on-hobyist-projects/. It looks like it has all that is needed for compatibility mode.Ok, I totally missed the pinout table. It is a power-only connector. CCx are Configuration Channel pins.

author: joric
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2018, 11:22:36 pm
content: Yeah power only connector. Even if they were D+/D- it would be tricky to solder on a regular 5-pin footprint. Hope someone finds a real Type-C / Micro USB replacement connector.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2018, 11:26:07 pm
content: It would be nice to find Type-C with fewer pins, even if they are not compatible with old footprints. Soldering full connector by hand is hard, and full connectors are way more expensive. And it looks like it should be possible to connect the necessary signals inside the connector and only bring out DP/DM/VCC/GND. But it does not looks like such thing exists.

author: joric
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2018, 11:41:09 pm
content: Tried to compare their pinout, picture in scale:Maybe it's doable with kapton tape and individual wires, but it would be messy, they sure don't match at all.Micro USB connectors are really that small, the "body" is 6.90mm vs 8.64mm for type-c. Outer size is about the same, considering "whiskers", 8mm vs ~9mm.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2018, 11:47:33 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on August 22, 2018, 11:26:07 pmThe closest I've seen:https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/hirose-electric-co-ltd/CX90M-16P/H126318CT-ND/9559137It's not too scary looking.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2018, 11:10:03 am
content: FWIW, I've found to my expense that USB C receptacles aren't particularly robust, particularly if you inadvertently try to insert a Lightning plug into one.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2018, 02:26:05 pm
content: Quote from: Howardlong on August 28, 2018, 11:10:03 amI blame Apple. For Lightning existing.

author: joric
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2018, 11:05:16 pm
content: Just noticed, the infamous TS80 uses Type-C connector too, wonder what's that:Upd: looks like that one-sided 18-pin connector from the post above:https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/hirose-electric-co-ltd/CX90M-16P/H126318CT-ND/9559137I've compared it with a regular Micro USB connector from here:https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/amphenol-fci/10118192-0001LF/609-4613-2-ND/2785387Footprints to scale (red - Micro USB, blue - Type-C, pin spacing is 0.65 mm vs 0.5 mm):Doesn't match at all! You probably could use some kind of a custom flex cable to replace one connector with another.Upd: TS80 uses rather specific Chinese 16-pin Type-C connectors (pinout is similar to the connector above), they cost $9.18 for 30 pcs ($0.30 a piece):https://www.aliexpress.com/item/30pcs-lot-16-pin-Sunk-in-board-USB-3-1-Type-c-Female-Connector-Receptacle-Socket/32847321603.htmlOr, even better, $0.19 a piece (trackable shipping isn't too expensive either):https://www.aliexpress.com/item/YuXi-USB-3-1-Type-C-16pin-female-connector-For-Mobile-Phone-Charging-port-Charging-Socket/32840308311.htmlPin spacing apears to be about the same 0.5 mm:Those 16-pin Type-C receptacles are actually USB 2.0 because there's no high speed data pins.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 03:19:15 am
content: Even without the need to retrofit old footprints, I'd like to see a Type-C connector with just the basic pins, but easy to layout and solder footprint.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 03:26:50 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on August 30, 2018, 03:19:15 amThe basic pins being the USB 2 pins? Me too.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 03:28:21 am
content: Well, the one I linked is.. that. Just what you need to use a C connector. It's not that evil looking to solder, either.

author: rs20
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 03:53:54 am
content: 0.5mm is no problem whatsoever, thanks for pointing out that connector! It's way better than the standard USB-C connectors with a similar pitch but 2 rows, making the "underneath" row completely impossible to rework. Definitely going to consider switching to USB-C with that connector.I doubt there'll ever be a mass-produced USB-C connector in a micro-B pinout. Even though it's "easy to make" by some arbitrary standard, it would require significantly more specialized tooling that normal USB connectors (in particular, IIUC, you'd need to short D+ (A6 to B6) and also D- (A7 to B7) in the connector -- which is opposite layers and forming an X shape that is at risk of shorting D- to D+ -- tell me how to do that with a single pass of metal stamping and insertion into plastic.) And given that the standard connectors and the easily manufactured connectors pointed to by Monkeh are both available, there's just no commerical or industrial customer will to pay even 2 cents extra that would justify the larger investment required. But that's just a guess.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 09:31:01 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on August 30, 2018, 03:28:21 amOne problem with that one is that it's only 1,25A. I know it's USB2 in disguise, but increasing current carrying capabilities would be one of the reasons to upgrade cable and connector.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 09:36:05 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 30, 2018, 09:31:01 pm1.25A per pin. 1.25 * 4 = 5. I'm pretty sure high current cables connect all pins.Also, it's a proper USB C connector - you can ask for 20V.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 09:44:32 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on August 30, 2018, 09:36:05 pmI missed the per pin bit. That should be plenty. Increasing the voltage is a neat trick, but not having to step down the voltage can be useful for cost conscious projects.

author: joric
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2018, 09:01:03 am
content: Got those chinese 12-pin USB 2.0 Type-C connectors from here:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/YuXi-USB-3-1-Type-C-16pin-female-connector-For-Mobile-Phone-Charging-port-Charging-Socket/32840308311.htmlIt's not the worst compatibility in terms of size but it's certainly totally incompatible by pinout.It would need a lot of work and precise soldering to replace, perhaps a special flex cable or a riser board.

author: joric
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2018, 11:25:47 am
content: Larger picture:

author: combs
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 03, 2020, 05:08:24 pm
content: Sorry for the thread necromancy--I put together an Eagle footprint for the 6-pin USB-C part:https://github.com/combs/USBC6PThey're working well in my application, and are easy to solder!

author: pseudobacon
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 11, 2020, 07:21:21 am
content: Old thread I know but whilst browsingTaobaoI found 8 pin connectors with the CC1 and CC2 pins. This will allow connection using Type-C to C cables, at USB 2.0 speed.Schematic here:

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2020, 07:26:03 am
content: Quote from: pseudobacon on October 11, 2020, 07:21:21 amCCx are Configuration Channel pins, they have no bearing on the data connection. But D+/D- pins are interesting.Do you have a link to the product page?Edit: Sorry, missed the Taobao link. Now we need to find that on something in a more approachable language.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2020, 07:35:35 am
content: And this has 6 pins ?->Type C USB 3.1 Female Socket 6 Pin 4 Leg Simple Type PCB Mount

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2020, 07:36:36 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on October 11, 2020, 07:35:35 amThat's how the thread started. 6 pin connectors do not have data pins.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2020, 11:11:43 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on October 11, 2020, 07:36:36 amthats a little bit different.. 200pcs for $10, the original post is 10pcs for $3 and more shiny. the 200pcs is more dull and dont have "clip cutting" on top (like my lcsc stock, about same 20-30cents/piece price as OP), but only $10.. here is different seller$5/100pcs Type C 6 Pin USB SMT Socket Connector USB 3.1 Type-C Female Placement 4 fixed feet For PCB DIY high current charginglooks more shiny again

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2020, 05:16:10 pm
content: There are many versions of that 6 pin connector. But they all don' t have the actual data pins.That 8 pin connector is interesting, but I can't find it anywhere else.

author: dma_k
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 04, 2023, 05:40:55 pm
content: I was also not able to find a 6-pin USB-C SMD connector that has D+ and D- wired... However there are videos likethat one(probably) showing that D+ / D- are also soldered. Anyone knows where to buy such connector?

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2023, 06:18:26 pm
content: Connectors with 14 or 16 pins and D+/D- are commonly available from major brands/distributors now. Digikey list these under 'Number of contacts: 24 (14+10 Dummy)'. Thissearch linkmight work.I've used the Molex 2171790001, but many are similar. The smallest pads are generally 0.5mm pitch, so no worse than a fine pitch QFP in terms of soldering.Quote from: ataradov on October 11, 2020, 07:26:03 amThey do if your device will connect to a dual-role port, in which case the CC pins with 5k1 pulldowns allow the DRP to detect a device connection before enabling VBus.

author: Richy_T
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 17, 2023, 10:16:08 pm
content: Just came across the 8-pins on aliexpress and ordered a bunch. Does anyone have an Eagle library or I might knock one up myself? I assume that it's basically the same pinout as the 16-pin versions but it might be nice to have a 8-pin specific one just to make the soldering simpler (though working with an existing 16-pin would allow part swapping, I guess).

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2023, 11:23:32 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on August 28, 2018, 02:26:05 pmWell, if they’d never invented Lightning, USB-C wouldn’t exist, either!

author: Richy_T
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 24, 2023, 02:55:53 am
content: Well, the 16 pin USB library I got is showing errors in Eagle and has weird milling marks so I may have to roll my own. Though I'm not sure how the cheap fab places are with milling anyway. I have to say that I'm just tempted to go with breakout boards for what I'm doing.

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2023, 09:13:15 am
content: Type C 6/9/14/16/24 Pinshttps://www.alpsr.com/type_c682/https://www.traceparts.com/en/product/dongguan-alpsr-electronic-xbua065ls65ssd007?CatalogPath=TRACEPARTS%3ATP09007007&Product=90-10112022-014103&PartNumber=XB-UA065LS65SSD007