# USB Type-C Power-Only plug

> the simplest version of the Type-C plug, used only in dongles and captive cables and prohibited in detachable cables, carrying power up to 240 W in either direction, omitting the connections for data

**Wikidata**: [Q134307522](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134307522)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usb-type-c-power-only-plug

## Summary
A USB Type-C Power-Only plug is the simplest Type‑C plug variant that carries power only (omitting data connections) and is used for dongles and captive cables. It can carry all USB power levels — up to 240 W in either direction — and is prohibited for use in detachable cables.

## Key Facts
- Official name: USB Type-C Power-Only plug (documented by USB-IF; official references dated 2025-05-11).  
- Power capability: carries power up to 240 W in either direction.  
- Function: omits the signal/data connections required for USB data; provides power-only connections.  
- Usage limits: intended for use only in dongles and captive (fixed) cables; prohibited in detachable cables.  
- Standards reference: described in the USB Type‑C Cable and Connector Specification (Release 2.4) (document/library reference).  
- Instance classifications: instance of USB Type-C Power-Only connector and USB‑C plug.  
- Pinout (partial A-side mapping from the specification): A1 = GND; A2 = N/C; A3 = N/C; A4 = Vbus; A5 = CC; A6 = N/C; A7 = N/C; A8 = N/C; A9 = Vbus; A10 = N/C.  
- Internal structure: has 24 leads (has_part: 24 leads).  
- Common aliases: Power-Only USB-C plug; USB-C Power-Only plug; Power-Only USB Type-C plug; USB Power-Only Type-C plug; Type-C Power-Only plug.  
- Related technology: used by USB Power Delivery for power negotiation and delivery.

## FAQs
### Q: Does a USB Type-C Power-Only plug carry data?
A: No. The Power-Only plug omits the connections needed for USB data and provides only power connections.

### Q: How much power can a Power-Only plug deliver?
A: It can carry all USB power levels specified for Type‑C, up to 240 W, and can supply power in either direction.

### Q: Where may Power-Only plugs be used, and where are they disallowed?
A: They are intended for use only in dongles and captive (fixed) cables. They are prohibited for use in detachable (removable) cables.

### Q: What role does the CC pin serve on a Power-Only plug?
A: The CC pin is retained on the Power-Only plug (A5 on the listing) to support connection and power-role configuration as defined by the USB Type‑C specification.

## Why It Matters
The USB Type‑C Power‑Only plug provides a simplified, specification-backed option for delivering power over the widely adopted Type‑C form factor while intentionally excluding data connections. By removing data lines, manufacturers can produce simpler and lower-cost plugs for devices or accessories that only need power, such as power-only dongles or permanently attached (captive) cables. Retaining the CC contact lets power roles and USB Power Delivery negotiation operate while preventing accidental data use. The prohibition on detachable cables reduces user confusion and safety or interoperability risks that could arise if a purely power-only detachable cable were mistaken for a full-featured cable. As part of the USB Type‑C ecosystem and the USB Power Delivery framework, the Power‑Only plug standardizes how high-power charging (up to 240 W) can be provided in limited use-cases without the complexity of full data wiring.

## Notable For
- Being the simplest Type‑C plug variant that purposefully omits data connections while keeping power and CC functionality.  
- Supporting the full Type‑C power envelope up to 240 W in either direction.  
- Being explicitly permitted only in dongles and captive cables and explicitly prohibited in detachable cables.  
- Having 24 leads as its physical contact count (per its component definition).  
- Defined and documented in the USB Type‑C specification (Release 2.4) and related USB-IF guidance.

## Body
### Overview
- The USB Type‑C Power‑Only plug is a variant of the 24‑pin reversible USB‑C plug family.  
- It is described in the USB Type‑C Cable and Connector Specification (Release 2.4) and related USB-IF documents.  
- The Power‑Only plug is designed solely for power delivery use-cases and purposely omits data signal connections.

### Technical specifications
- Power delivery: supports all USB power levels up to 240 W, deliverable in either direction.  
- Contacts/leads: defined with 24 leads as part of its component structure.  
- CC support: includes a CC contact (A5) to support cable orientation, detection, and power-role negotiation.  
- Pinout (A-side entries provided by the specification):  
  - A1: GND  
  - A2: N/C  
  - A3: N/C  
  - A4: Vbus  
  - A5: CC  
  - A6: N/C  
  - A7: N/C  
  - A8: N/C  
  - A9: Vbus  
  - A10: N/C

### Usage and restrictions
- Intended uses: dongles and captive (fixed) cables where only power is required.  
- Prohibition: not allowed in detachable cables per the specification.  
- Relationship to USB Power Delivery: used by USB Power Delivery to negotiate and deliver power as needed.

### Standards, naming, and documentation
- Official name: USB Type‑C Power‑Only plug (documented with USB-IF references dated 2025-05-11).  
- Described at: USB Type‑C Cable and Connector Specification (Release 2.4) (publication reference).  
- Publication date (spec indication): 2024-10 (month unspecified in source data).  
- Schematic and illustration resources: official SVG image and pinout schematic available in the project commons (image and schematic file paths documented in specification references).

### Related types and distinctions
- Different from: USB Full‑Featured Type‑C plug; USB 2 Type‑C plug; USB Type‑C Power‑Only receptacle; USB 2 plug.  
- Classification: part of the broader USB‑C plug class intended to replace previous USB plugs by carrying data and power in other variants; the Power‑Only variant carries only power and CC.

### Images and schematics
- Illustration (front view, to scale): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/USB_connector_illustration,_to_scale,_front_view,_Type-C,_Power-Only_plug.svg  
- Schematic with pinout: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/USB_connector_illustration,_to_scale,_front_view,_Type-C,_Power-Only_plug,_with_pinout.svg

### References
- USB Type‑C Cable and Connector Specification (Release 2.4) — primary descriptive and technical reference (document/library items cited in the specification metadata).

## References

1. [Source](https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-type-cr-cable-and-connector-specification-release-24)
2. [Source](https://www.usb.org/sites/default/files/usb_type-c_language_product_and_packaging_guidelines_20230320.pdf)