Source for Ultra Low Profile USBA Plugs???...  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 04:57:55 am
content: I'm looking for a source for those ultra low profile, super short USB TypeA plugs, like you find on Dongles and tiny flash drives...When inserted they just barely stick out of the port...Like these...If I use a normal USB-A plug, Just the rest of the plug body sticks out of the jack by almost 0.5in.Where do you get these plugs?

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 05:30:58 am
content: I think you'll find they are generally entirely custom, usually with a thin PCB that has the plug contacts as pads on one side and most of the circuitry on the other, with an injection moulded spacer between the PCB and the shell to hold the contacts at the right height so the components don't get crushed. No doubt there is some sheet steel stamping and forming manufacturer, probably in Shenzhen, knocking out the shells for many brands, but good luck finding them unless you've got Cantonese speaking 'boots on the ground'!

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 08:04:28 am
content: Well that is going to suck then.As another fun fact.... apparently no one [in US Distribution] makes a vertical PCB mount male USB-A plug either. They are all Right Angle.

author: JeanF
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 08:32:01 am
content: That might not suit some possible requirements in terms of MOQ and supplier type, but maybe this can be of interesthttps://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/China-Factory-3-0-USB-Male_1600279588022.html

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 08:45:22 am
content: Interesting. That would make the second China only supplier for this project, so while that's usually a show stopper I'm already kind of screwed by USA distribution on this one.Even at 1000MOQ, at $0.09 that's only $90, which would last me essentially forever.

author: JeanF
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 03:01:04 pm
content: Also, for prototyping/one-offs/hobby work, if manual desoldering prior to use is acceptable, see alsohttps://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802134100208.html, variants F, S and T.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 03:37:25 pm
content: Something like these?https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/TE-Connectivity/1734028-1?qs=ozkTL%2FUej0RBWHu8gcAkZQ%3D%3DMouser has a whole slew of slightly different styles to choose from.

author: PCB.Wiz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 07:25:58 pm
content: Quote from: Smokey on March 10, 2024, 08:45:22 amOften Aliexpress has the alibaba parts in lower volumes ( & higher prices) choiceseghttps://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005002888409730.html

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 09:53:56 pm
content: Quote from: MarkF on March 10, 2024, 03:37:25 pmThose are the longer ones. 18.6mm vs the 15mm from the AliExpress. Plus it's right angle, which is less ideal. I don't see any vert at any size in USA distro.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 11:39:27 pm
content: Quote from: MarkF on March 10, 2024, 03:37:25 pmWon't they all be sourced ultimately in China, though ?

author: JeanF
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2024, 08:32:57 am
content: Quote from: PCB.Wiz on March 10, 2024, 07:25:58 pmNice find, I have been looking for these for a while, without success. Ali search engine is... peculiar. Often I Google thing-I-want site:aliexpress.com instead, and usually the first relevant item is the hardest to find; then there are several listings which are also relevant in the "related items" section.