# USB 2 Standard connector > the earlier class of legacy (pre-C) USB Standard connectors **Wikidata**: [Q133871694](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q133871694) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usb-2-standard-connector ## Summary The USB 2 Standard connector is a class of legacy USB connectors designed to carry USB 1–2 data signals and power. Predating the USB Type-C standard, this connector class encompasses the distinct "Standard-A" (host) and "Standard-B" (peripheral) plugs and receptacles. It has been effectively replaced by the USB 2 Type-C connector. ## Key Facts * **Official Name:** USB 2.0 Standard connector. * **Classification:** A subclass of both the "USB 2 legacy connector" and the broader "USB Standard connector" class. * **Functionality:** Carries only USB 1–2 data and power; it does not support the higher speeds or protocols of USB 3.x natively. * **Replaced By:** The USB 2 Type-C connector, which serves as the modern replacement for these legacy shapes. * **Variants:** Includes the **USB 2 Standard-A connector** (host end) and the **USB 2 Standard-B connector** (peripheral/device end). * **Form Factors:** Exists as both plugs (male) and receptacles (female). * **Succession:** Belongs to the "pre-C" generation of connectors, distinct from Micro, Mini, and USB-C formats. ## FAQs ### Q: What devices used the USB 2 Standard connector? A: This connector class was used for the host end (Standard-A) and peripheral device ends (Standard-B) of cables. It was the standard interface for computers and peripherals before the adoption of USB-C. ### Q: Is the USB 2 Standard connector compatible with USB-C? A: While they carry similar data (USB 2.0), they are physically different standards. The USB 2 Standard connector is a "legacy" class that has been replaced by the USB 2 Type-C connector. ### Q: What is the difference between Standard-A and Standard-B in this class? A: The Standard-A connector indicates the host end of the connection (typically the computer), while the Standard-B connector is the larger plug found at the peripheral device end of the cable. ## Why It Matters The USB 2 Standard connector represents a critical phase in the history of universal connectivity, serving as the physical interface for billions of devices during the dominance of USB 2.0. Its significance lies in its establishment of a reliable, standardized connection for data and power delivery that preceded the modern, reversible USB-C era. This connector class defined the user experience of the "USB era" for over a decade, characterized by the distinct, non-reversible rectangular Type-A port and the squarish Type-B port. It solved the problem of disparate proprietary ports for peripherals like printers, keyboards, and mice, although it has since been superseded by the more versatile USB Type-C standard. Understanding this connector is essential for identifying legacy hardware and understanding the evolutionary path of USB technology from simple data transmission to the high-power, high-speed capabilities of today. ## Notable For * **Legacy Predecessor:** Being the primary "legacy" connector class that the USB 2 Type-C was designed to replace. * **Distinct Orientation:** Unlike the reversible USB-C, these connectors required specific orientation to plug in. * **Host-Device Distinction:** Maintaining a strict physical distinction between the "A" (host) and "B" (device) ends of the cable. * **Ubiquity:** Being the most recognizable USB form factor for the USB 1.0 through 2.0 generations. ## Body ### Definition and Scope The **USB 2 Standard connector** is officially designated as the class of legacy connectors supporting USB 1–2 and power. It is distinct from other form factors of the same era, such as the Mini-USB and Micro-USB, and is entirely separate from the modern USB-C. ### Connector Variants The class is divided into specific plug and receptacle types based on their position in the connection chain: * **USB 2 Standard-A connector:** Defined as the "legacy" connector at the host end. This is the classic rectangular connector found on computers and hubs. * **USB 2 Standard-B connector:** Defined as the "largest legacy USB 2 connector" located at the peripheral device ends of cables (e.g., printers, scanners). * **Plugs and Receptacles:** The class includes both "Standard plugs" (male connectors on cables) and "Standard receptacles" (female ports on devices). ### Evolution and Replacement As part of the "USB Standard connector" family, these interfaces are categorized as "pre-C." The industry has transitioned away from this specific class, with the **USB 2 Type-C connector** cited as the direct replacement. This modern replacement consolidates the host and peripheral connector types into a single, reversible standard. The USB 2 Standard connector remains relevant primarily for identifying and maintaining legacy hardware ecosystems. ## 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)