What is USB connector slightly larger than USB-C ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2023, 11:20:15 pm
content: I have some devices that take charger that has connector about 1 mm larger than the usual USB-C micro connector. Anybody know what that is ?Mostly, have seen those having the regular full-size USB for the wall wort connection, although I also have aquire'd a cable having those slightly larger than USB-C cable ends.What is that ?

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 04, 2023, 11:31:35 pm
content: It's difficult to tell from that photo, it looks just like a regular USB-C connector to me. Does it fit into a USB-C port?

author: ve7xen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2023, 11:55:01 pm
content: Hard to tell from the photo, but to me the plug on the left looks like USB-C and the one on the right micro-B.Wikipedia has a good diagram of the various standard USB connectors. The mini/micro-A variants are rare.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 12:50:54 am
content: I'll have to shoot a better picture, in a bit.The connector is about 1 mm wider, than the usual ',micro' USB C, and is connector for charging a mattress air pump. I have 2 kinds of cable, in my salvage box, one is a normal looking full size USB on one end, with that wider micro on other end. The regular larger end goes to your wall wart.Obviously, purchased around town. Many new DC powered things, like food blenders, might be using that for recharging.Total mystery (where I got) the cable having that wider connector on BOTH ends.Thanks.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 12:56:27 am
content: Both connectors have the slanted sides / tapered look.Maybe, I should better to simply draw the two, rather than mess with photo lighting etc.Looking with bright light, can't really see into which pins or sockets are present.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 01:07:53 am
content: Could it be one of these? Some really old Samsung phones used a proprietary connector. Maybe the Chinese have just bastardised that and used it for another application?I can check my Cellebrite kit for other similar cables/tips. I have hundreds of different types.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 01:24:30 am
content: Thanks for response.I get better image, just by drawing the thing. That connector is not tapered. Used on my air mattress pump, brand is called 'SLumberjack'...a play on words, there.Possibly what happened is that mattress got sold with both wall wart DC power end and the pump end are that wide connector, (meaning 1 mm wider than the tapered micro-C).Going to look about the boxes to check if I have a wall wart DC supply for that special conn.(Unfortunately my 'workbench' is a very disorganized room boarder, plus a nice backyard work table. Lol)

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 01:28:57 am
content: Oops, some confusion about connector 'width'....; That's the long dimension so I maybe should call that as 'connector length', while the width is the shorter dimension...

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 01:55:01 am
content: It still looks like regular USB-C to me? Have you tried to see if that cable will connect to a USB-C port (say on your laptop)... without any power of course. USB-C isn't tapered either, however USB A and B is.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 01:58:47 am
content: I don't understand.First, there's no such thing as a "micro-USB-C" connector. USB-C comes just in one shape, no micro there.Second, the hand drawing you just posted shows the "usual" connector... and from the look of it, it's a micro-USB connector. Nothing USB-C.It just looks like you're confusing micro-USB and USB-C.Unless I missed something.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 02:03:39 am
content: Yes thanks, I should do some proper reading, on Wikipedia, sounds like you are right....Plus, some searching thru several boxes of parts, various wall warts.But surely that 'usual' is micro USB, such as used on my new Bluetooth headset.

author: Shonky
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 02:23:15 am
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on July 05, 2023, 01:58:47 amYes this appears to be the issueQuote from: RJHayward on July 05, 2023, 02:03:39 amThere is no "usual". Micro USB is the older design. Preferable these days is USB-C as it's newer and better (faster speeds, reversible, doesn't have the little hooks that tend to wear out).Your "new" headset uses the somewhat outdated design it seems.

author: ve7xen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 02:50:10 am
content: Quote from: RJHayward on July 05, 2023, 01:24:30 amThe photograph is definitely a USB-C socket.What you have drawn look like micro-B (usual), USB-C (1mm wider, which is about right compared to micro-B) [and USB-A (DC source end), for posterity].USB-C is the 'new usual', though micro-B was common for a long time before that, and mini-B going back still further. It's probably only in the past year or two that random gadgets have started using USB-C en masse.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 03:31:06 am
content: Note that for charging purposes, USB-C allows much higher currents than a micro-USB connector (and associated cables), so that's a benefit beyond looking cool and being orientation-agnostic.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 03:36:29 am
content: The variety, or 'drug store' headphones have an extremely cheapo bit of paperwork, extremely tiny print, and plus has an 'accessory' charging cord included, with, as you say, older micro-B, but cord is only several inches long, so, yeah, believable that the headphones are cheapo import.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 03:43:55 am
content: One reason I've been interested in the answers here, is that I've been seeing advertisements for various consumer products that are bypassing the whole AC power usage, such as a food blender and an air purifier that use DC charging via wall warts.'ORIENTATION AGNOSTIC' !Thanks, man, I would never had thought about that feature.And, slightly troubling to be finding out that my cellphone is on the older style. Now that I think about that issue, of higher charging capability, yes, things do charge fast, on the USB C.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2023, 03:06:26 am
content: Thank You, SiliconWizard and ve7xenLikely I wouldn't have figured out the difference, practically.I have newer laptop, Samsung, and that uses a WALL WART with what I'm now, accurately terming, as USB -C plus I had no clue about connector orientation being works plugged in either way !The 'older' connector, with slightly tapered housing is similar to how the RS-232 connectors are shaped...that's the so-called USB-B type micro, used by my 3 year old phone, amount other items.(I also possess a few USB cords that have the regular full size on the wall wart end, and with the coax 'cannon' types on the device end). All in the salvage box.Thank you !

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2023, 03:24:31 am
content: There are some mini video connectors like mini displayport or micro HDMI that can look a bit like USB ports but are not.