Ask Electronics

3332 readers

68 users here now

For questions about component-level electronic circuits, tools and equipment.

Rules

1: Be nice.

2: Be on-topic (eg: Electronic, not electrical).

3: No commercial stuff, buying, selling or valuations.

4: Be safe.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

DavideAndrea@discuss.tchncs.de

linker3000@discuss.tchncs.de

Weird cable with USB A connector with 5 pins (discuss.tchncs.de)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by human_no_4815162342@discuss.tchncs.de to c/askelectronics@discuss.tchncs.de

7 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hello, I recently bought a USB A to C cable and it is pretty weird. It is a USB A to USB C cable, seemingly USB 2.0 but the A connector has 5 pins, the 4 pins of USB 2 and what looks like pin 7 of USB 3.0 so in the middle of the back row, the other pins of USB 3.0 are not there and the plasting moulding only allows for that one pin (moreover the USB type C end looks like it only has the few middle pins so it's probably 2.0). The weirdness continues because when connected to a USB power supply the led on the USB C connector lights up but it can only charge simple devices like flashlights or things that generally just accept 5V, anything with fast charging capabilities gets no output. I am probably going to test it with breakout boards and eventually even disassembly it and maybe replace the connectors but in the meantime does anyone have any explanation?

P.S. I will make a follow up post (or an update here) when I open it up, with photos of course.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] human_no_4815162342@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 year ago

I only need a USB 2.0 cable mostly for charging, I have better cables, I chose this one for the liquid silicone outer layer. Of course if the wires inside are less than four or too thin I won't waste USB connectors (that I already have, I would not order them for this) and I will recycle it.