What is a USB Type-B cable and what is it for?
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It is difficult to imagine today’s modern life without electronic devices. Smartphones, tablets, printers, notebooks … in short, several of these devices can be present in your home. All of these devices have their own uses, so each one works in a unique way. However, there is something in common between most of these devices. We’re talking about cables. And here we will detail more about what is the USB Type-B cable and what is it for.
USB Cables
USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables are ubiquitous in our lives. Almost all electronic devices require a special component (a USB cable), either for connection to other electronic devices or for charging itself, in the case of wireless devices.
As technology and devices continuously advance and evolve, so do the corresponding peripheral devices. The same trend of technological updating is observed in USB cables. Here we will analyze the USB type-B, what are its assignments, and how to differentiate it from UBS type A or type C.
Types of USB cables
To fully understand USB Type-B, we must first understand the various versions of the USB standard. The USB type refers to the physical shape and wiring of the ports and plugs, while the version indicates the speed and functionality of the complete interconnection system.
USB Type-A and Type-C

With a flat, rectangular shape, USB Type-A was the original design for the first USB standard. Type-A ports are usually on host devices, such as desktop computers, laptops, game consoles, keyboards, mice, flash drives, and media players; peripheral devices rarely use a Type-A port.
USB Type-C is newer, and you’ll find it on most new devices. It offers faster data transfer rates than previous USB versions. The biggest advantage of USB-C is that it is reversible and can be connected from both sides. For this reason, it is the new standard for mobile devices.
USB Cable Versions

USB versions include 1.1, 2.0, 3.0 and 3.1. USB 1.1 was the first USB version launched in 1998 and has a maximum speed of 12Mbps. In many cases, USB 1.1 works only at 1.2 Mbps and has become largely obsolete.
Launched in 2000, USB 2.0 has a maximum speed of 480 Mbps in Hi-Speed mode or 12Mbps. It is compatible with previous versions of USB 1.1 and has a maximum output power of 2.5 V (1.8 A).
USB 3.0 was launched in 2008 and has a maximum speed of 5 Gbps in SuperSpeed mode and is usually blue. It is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and can supply up to 5 V (1.8 A) of power.
The latest version of USB is 3.1, which was launched in 2013 and doubles the speed of 10 Gbps, making it as fast as the original Thunderbolt standard. It is backward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. USB 3.1 has three power profiles and allows larger devices to consume host power: up to 2 A at 5 V (for power consumption up to 10 W) and up to 5 A at 12 V (60 W) or 20 V ( 100 W).
What is a USB Type-B?

USB Type-B connectors, officially called Standard-B connectors, are square in shape, with chamfered outer corners at the upper ends, depending on the USB version.
These type B connectors are supported on all USB versions, including USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and USB 1.1. The second type of connector “B”, called Powered-B, exists only in the USB 3.0 version.
USB 3.0 type B connectors are usually blue, while USB 2.0 type B and USB 1.1 type B connectors are usually black. However, USB Type-B connectors and cables can be any color. A USB type-B male connector is called a plug, while a female connector is called a receptacle or port.
USB type B plugs are typically found on one end of a USB A / B cable. The USB type B plug fits into the printer’s USB type B receptacle or other devices, while the USB type A plug fits into the USB type B receptacle. A located on the host device, such as a computer.
Uses of USB Type-B cable
Type B USB cables are more common on larger devices, such as printers and scanners. Sometimes, you will also find USB Type-B ports on external storage devices, such as optical drives, floppy drives, and hard drive enclosures.
Since peripheral devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the Type-B connector and its complementary port also come in a variety of designs. Currently, there are five predominant models for USB Type-B plugs and connectors, including the original Standard-B, Mini-B, Micro-B USB, Micro-B USB 3.0, and Standard-B USB 3.0.

The Standard-B design is used to connect large peripheral devices, such as printers or scanners, to a computer and was developed for USB 1.1. The much smaller Mini-B ports are found on older portable devices, such as digital cameras and older portable units, and are becoming obsolete.
Micro-B USB is slightly smaller than Mini and is the most widespread USB port design for smartphones and tablets today. Micro-USB 3.0 is the broadest design and is used mainly for USB 3.0 portable drives; usually, with a Type-A cable end is blue. Similar to Standard-B, Standard-B USB 3.0 is designed to handle 3.0 administration speed.
FAQS
USB TYPE-A
WHAT IS USB TYPE-A MALE AND WHAT IS USB TYPE-A FEMALE?
Connectors and ports are sometimes referred to as “male” and “female”, as a way of showing which ones are compatible.
A USB Type-A male connector plugs into a USB Type-A female port.
WHAT IS USB 3.1 TYPE-A?
This alludes to a USB Type-A connector or harbor that employments the USB 3.1 standard and is able to attain that version’s quick speeds for exchanging information.
IS THERE A USB TYPE-A TO MICRO-HDMI?
Yes. You might utilize one of these cables when interfacing a smartphone or tablet to a bigger show, such as a computer screen, high-definition TV, or video projector.
Micro-HDMI is also known as HDMI Type-D and is a very similar shape to the USB Type-B Micro connector.
USB TYPE-B
Are there USB Type-B to USB Type-B cables?
No, outside of extenders, USB Type-B is almost always paired with another USB connector, usually USB Type-A.
Is USB Type-B the best USB standard?
No. Many devices use different USB connectors based on connector size and reversibility instead of speed.
Why isn’t USB Type-B as common as other types?
Size, mostly. The Type-B connector is large compared to, for example, USB Type-C, which you’ll more often see on devices today.
WHAT IS USB TYPE-B USED FOR?
You’ll ordinarily discover USB Type-B ports on bigger gadgets your interface to your computers, such as printers and scanners. You might too have outside capacity gadgets or drives that utilize them.
Most USB Type-B connectors are at one end of a USB Type-B to USB Type-A cable. You plug the Type-B connector into the printer, scanner, or other device and the Type-A connector into the standard USB port on your computer.
CAN I PLAY VIDEO THROUGH USB TYPE-B?
Yes, on the off chance that you have got a video projector prepared with a USB Type-B harbor, and a computer with vital capabilities.
Simply connect the two devices using a USB Type-B to USB Type-A cable, and adjust the settings on the projector so it knows it’s receiving data via USB.
Be mindful, in any case, that USB isn’t always the most excellent format for playing video, which HDMI could be a distant much better choice.
USB TYPE-C
WHAT IS USB TYPE-C USED FOR?
USB-C connectors can be used to transfer data, power, and even video and audio.
However, how fast it works depends on what you’re connecting it to.
Diverse gadgets have distinctive sorts of USB ports. These are for the most part into three sorts: USB 3.1, USB 3.2, and Thunderbolt 3 (the last mentioned primarily found on Apple computers).
By default, a USB-C cable with a USB 3.1 harbor can exchange 10 gigabytes of information per second. using a 3.2 harbor will get you 20 gigabytes per second. And Thunderbolt 3 ports permit USB-C cables to carry a considerable 40 gigabytes per second.
This is much quicker than any other sort of USB connector.
USB-C cables are too utilized to exchange control — they’re commonly utilized to charge convenient gadgets, smartphones, portable workstations, and indeed security cameras.
DOES MY LAPTOP HAVE USB TYPE-C?
In case it’s an Apple MacBook, more than likely. In the event that it’s a Chromebook or an up-to-date demonstration made by another producer, conceivable.
It’s simple and sufficient to discover out does your tablet have a harbor that looks like the USB Type-C port.
DOES MY MAC HAVE USB TYPE-C?
It depends on the model. here is a list of Macs that support USB type-c.
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017 and newer)
- iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017 and newer)
- iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- MacBook Pro (2016 and newer)
- MacBook (2015 and newer)
- MacBook Air (Late 2018 or newer)
- Mac mini (Late 2018 or newer)
If your MacBook has only one port, it’s a USB Type-C port.
HOW DO I CONNECT A USB TYPE-C DEVICE TO A PC?
You can connect a USB Type-C device to it using a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, or a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable.
HOW DO I TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USB TYPE-C AND MICRO-USB?
These connectors do have a few physical contrasts that permit you to tell them separated.

USB Type-C has an oblong-shaped plug and is marginally greater than Micro-USB. It can be embedded on either side.
Micro-USB can as it was be stopped in one way and has two snares at the foot to hold the cable input.
CAN I CHARGE A USB TYPE-C DEVICE WITH A MICRO-USB CHARGER?
Yes, but it requires a common connector or adapter. USB Type-C and Micro-USB are not the same, and will not fit each other’s ports on their possess.
DOES USB TYPE-C WORK WITH MINI-USB?
Yes. Mini-USB ports tend to be found on USB On-The-Go (OTG) peripheral devices like smartphones and tablets, to change them to operate as host devices.
With a USB Type-C to Mini-USB cable, you’ll be able to connect these devices to any laptop equipped with a USB Type-C (or Thunderbolt) port, whether or not it’s to charge the device or transfer information.
WHAT IS USB 3.1 TYPE-C? WHAT IS USB 3.0 TYPE-C?
It’s a USB Type-C connector or port that’s compatible with USB 3.1 or USB 3.0.
IS USB TYPE-C THE SAME AS THUNDERBOLT?
USB and Thunderbolt were once competing standards, the last version of Thunderbolt changed to adopt the same shape as USB Type-C and much of its capability.
This means every Thunderbolt 3 or higher port also works as a USB Type-C port and every cable works as a USB Type-C cable.
Any USB Type-C device plugged into a Thunderbolt 3 and 4 port will work as normal, but Thunderbolt 3 and 4 devices won’t work if plugged into a USB Type-C port.
IS USB TYPE-C REVERSIBLE?
Yes. The connector is designed to plug in either way round.
DOES USB TYPE-C WORK WITH USB OTG?
Yes, USB On-The-Go (OTG) works with USB Type-C connections.
USB OTG allows compatible devices (not Apple) to read data from a USB device without the need to connect to a computer.
So you can connect to:
- external HDD, SSD, or USB flash drives
- keyboards, mice, or games controllers
- digital cameras
- printers
HOW FAST IS USB TYPE-C?
USB Type-C was made intentionally to take the advantage of the USB 3.1 standard, which is competent for exchanging information at 10 Gbit/s (known as SuperSpeed+).
ARE USB TYPE-C CABLES Consistent WITH USB 2.0?
Yes. USB Type-C is compatible with USB 2.0 and 3.0 gadgets. But, it requires an adapter since the USB Type-C connector encompasses a distinctive shape to the connectors on USB 2.0 and 3.0 cables.
IS USB TYPE-C THE SAME AS FIREWIRE?
No. USB and Firewire are distinctive benchmarks, in spite of the fact that they do the same work of exchanging information. One very prevalent, Firewire has declined in later a long time as USB rose as the industry standard.
CAN I CHARGE MY PHONE WITH USB TYPE-C?
Smartphones with USB Type-C charging ports:
MAKE | MODEL |
---|---|
BlackBerry | Key2 |
Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL | |
HTC | Exodus 1, U11, U11 Plus, U12 Plus, U Ultra |
Huawei | Mate 20 Pro, Nexus 6P, P20 |
LG | G7 ThinQ, V40 ThinQ |
Motorola | Moto G6, Moto Z3 Play |
Nokia | 8 Sirocco |
OnePlus | 6T |
Razer | Phone 2 |
Samsung | Galaxy S9, S9 Plus, Galaxy Note 9 |
Sony | Xperia XZ2, XZ2 Compact |
More in the list
- Huawei P9
- Vivo Xplay5 Elite
- ZOPO Speed 8
- ZTE Axon 7
- Nextbit Robin
- LG V20
- Huawei P9 Plus
- Smartron t.phone
- Huawei Nova
- Huawei Nova Plus
- Meizu MX6
- Nubia Z11
- Meizu Pro 5
- Meizu Pro 6
- HTC 10
- Samsung Galaxy Note7
- LG G5
- ZUK Z2 Pro
- Moto Z
- Moto Z Force
- ASUS ZenFone 3
- ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe
- ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra
- Lenovo ZUK Z1
- Gionee S6
- Gionee S Plus
- Intex Aqua Secure
- Lenovo Z2 Plus
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