# USB 2 Standard-B connector > the class of the largest legacy USB 2 connectors (those which carry only USB 1–2 and power) at the peripheral device ends of cables, replaced by the USB 2 Type‑C connectors **Wikidata**: [Q58078317](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58078317) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usb-2-standard-b-connector ## Summary The USB 2 Standard-B connector is a legacy USB connector used at the peripheral device end of cables, supporting only USB 1 and 2 protocols and power delivery. It was widely used before being phased out in favor of the more versatile USB Type-C connector. These connectors are physically larger than their successors and are now considered obsolete but remain relevant in older hardware. ## Key Facts - Official name: USB 2.0 Standard-B connector - Replaced by: USB Type-C connectors - Standards body: USB Implementers Forum - Aliases include: USB Hi-Speed Standard-B, USB 2.0 Standard-B, Standard USB 1.1 Type-B - Subclasses include: USB Standard Type-B connector, USB 2 Standard connector, USB 2 Type-B connector - Different from: USB 2 Standard-A, USB 2 Micro-B, USB Mini-B, USB 3 Standard-B - Image reference: [USB 2 Standard-B illustration](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/USB_connector_illustration,_to_scale,_grouping,_legacy,_USB_2_Standard-B.svg) - Commons category: USB 2 Standard-B connectors - Sitelink count: 1 ## FAQs ### Q: What devices typically use USB 2 Standard-B connectors? A: USB 2 Standard-B connectors were commonly found on older peripherals such as printers, scanners, and external hard drives. They connected to host devices via cables with Standard-A plugs on the computer side. ### Q: Is the USB 2 Standard-B connector still in use today? A: While officially replaced by USB Type-C, USB 2 Standard-B connectors are still present in many legacy systems and older peripherals. However, they are no longer used in new product designs. ### Q: How does USB 2 Standard-B differ from USB 3 Standard-B? A: The USB 3 Standard-B connector supports faster data transfer speeds (up to 5 Gbps) compared to USB 2 Standard-B (480 Mbps). Additionally, USB 3 connectors often feature a blue color inside the port to distinguish them visually. ## Why It Matters The USB 2 Standard-B connector played a critical role in standardizing connections between computers and peripherals during the early era of USB adoption. As one of the earliest widely adopted B-type connectors, it enabled interoperability across numerous consumer electronics and computing accessories. Though superseded by newer technologies like USB Type-C, understanding its design and usage remains essential for maintaining compatibility with existing equipment and recognizing how interface evolution has shaped modern connectivity standards. ## Notable For - Being part of the original set of standardized USB connectors introduced alongside USB 1.0 and 1.1 - Having a distinct square-shaped receptacle and trapezoidal plug design that became iconic for peripheral connections - Supporting maximum data rates up to 480 Mbps under the USB 2.0 specification - Representing the last generation of large-form-factor legacy USB connectors before miniaturization trends took hold - Marking the transition point toward universal adoption of reversible, high-speed USB-C interfaces ## Body ### Overview The USB 2 Standard-B connector refers to the class of legacy USB connectors designed for connecting peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and external storage units to host systems using USB 1.x or 2.0 signaling. Unlike modern reversible connectors, these featured a fixed orientation and required careful alignment when plugging in. ### Design & Physical Characteristics - Plug shape: Trapezoidal with slightly beveled edges - Receptacle shape: Square-like with chamfered corners - Orientation-sensitive connection – not reversible - Larger physical footprint compared to later Mini-B and Micro-B variants These connectors were engineered to support both data communication and power delivery over four internal wires: two for differential signal transmission and two for VBUS (power) and ground. ### Technical Specifications - Maximum data rate: Up to 480 Mbps (Hi-Speed mode per USB 2.0) - Power delivery: Typically 5V DC through VBUS line - Protocol support: Limited to USB 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0 signaling layers - No support for SuperSpeed modes defined in USB 3.x This made them suitable for low-to-medium bandwidth applications typical in office and home environments prior to widespread adoption of higher-performance interfaces. ### Historical Context USB 2 Standard-B connectors emerged as part of the broader USB ecosystem developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), gaining prominence throughout the late 1990s and 2000s. Their design reflected the need for robust, user-serviceable interconnectivity solutions that could replace proprietary serial and parallel ports prevalent at the time. As technology advanced, smaller form factors like Mini-B and Micro-B gained popularity in portable electronics, while full-sized Standard-B connectors persisted primarily in stationary peripherals due to their durability and ease of handling. ### Obsolescence and Replacement With the introduction of USB Type-C around 2014, all previous USB connector types—including USB 2 Standard-B—were gradually deprecated in favor of a single, compact, reversible interface capable of delivering significantly higher performance and functionality. Despite this shift, documentation and compliance testing continue to reference USB 2 Standard-B connectors to ensure backward compatibility within mixed-generation setups and industrial applications where legacy infrastructure remains operational. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-31-legacy-cable-and-connector-revision-10) 2. [Source](https://www.usb.org/document-library/universal-serial-bus-31-legacy-connectors-and-cable-assemblies-compliance-document) 3. [Source](https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-32-revision-11-june-2022) 4. [Source](https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-type-cr-connectors-and-cable-assemblies-compliance-document-rev-21b) 5. [Source](https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-type-cr-cable-and-connector-specification-release-24)