USB 3 B

[749]

I got a USB 3 powered hub recently and was surprised to see that the cable was a USB 3/A to what looks like a type B printer end with an additional block on top...
I had never seen one before but I am always a few years behind on tech...is that the new 3/B end or is it proprietary to Sabrent ...? is the added hump on the top for power or additional data...?

 

[RadDave]

I got a USB 3 powered hub recently and was surprised to see that the cable was a USB 3/A to what looks like a type B printer end with an additional block on top...
I had never seen one before but I am always a few years behind on tech...is that the new 3/B end or is it proprietary to Sabrent ...? is the added hump on the top for power or additional data...?

Hello - a posted pic or at least a link to the exact model would help us understand your questions better - Dave

 

[pigoo3]

If it looks like this...been around a long time (1996):




Nick

 

[krs]

I think the OP means this:

 

[pm-r]

is that the new 3/B end or is it proprietary to Sabrent

The new standard:

A USB 3.0 Standard-B receptacle accepts either a USB 3.0 Standard-B plug or a USB 2.0 Standard-B plug. Backward compatibility applies to connecting a USB 2.0 Standard-B plug into a USB 3.0 Standard-B receptacle. However, it is not possible to plug a USB 3.0 Standard-B plug into a USB 2.0 Standard-B receptacle, due to a physically larger connector. The Standard-B is used at the device side.

USB 3.0 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

- Patrick
=======

 

[RadDave]

Guys - the OP needs to tell and/or show us which gizmo he bought! This guessing is of little value IMO - Dave

 

[MacInWin]

I got a USB 3 powered hub recently and was surprised to see that the cable was a USB 3/A to what looks like a type B printer end with an additional block on top...
I had never seen one before but I am always a few years behind on tech...is that the new 3/B end or is it proprietary to Sabrent ...? is the added hump on the top for power or additional data...?

It is not proprietary to Sabrent, it is a standard type B connector. There is no additional data. There are only four contacts in the USB A end. So, only four lines on the other end, no matter how the end is shaped. You can see the various connectors in this article:

USB - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[pm-r]

Guys - the OP needs to tell and/or show us which gizmo he bought! This guessing is of little value IMO - Dave

Quite right, including the right information and description helps to get a proper answer, but I think the information the OP did supply was adequate for one to make a proper assessment and judgment.

And there's only a single USB connector that comes close to their description as posted by krs in their #4 posting and the included image.



- Patrick
=======

 

[krs]

It is not proprietary to Sabrent, it is a standard type B connector. There is no additional data. There are only four contacts in the USB A end.

Sorry, but that is not correct.
4 contacts on the USB connector are only used up the USB 2 speeds.
For USB 3 speeds, which is what this thread is about, 9 contacts are used. This is also clearly shown in the link posted.
:

You can see the various connectors in this article:

USB - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[749]

KRS is correct....solved

 

[MacInWin]

Sorry, but that is not correct.
4 contacts on the USB connector are only used up the USB 2 speeds.
For USB 3 speeds, which is what this thread is about, 9 contacts are used. This is also clearly shown in the link posted.
:

Interesting. I've never seen a nine pin USB-A socket, so I have no idea where that cable would be used. Oh, well. tech is fun.

 

[Jimmysb]

Interesting. I've never seen a nine pin USB-A socket, so I have no idea where that cable would be used. Oh, well. tech is fun.

This got me thinking, so looking down a USB -A (2.0) cable the 4 contacts are clearly seen, however looking at my USB-a (3.0) cable on my external drive, you can see the row of 4 and a row of 5 contacts. The other end has the Micro-B SuperSpeed connection.

 

[krs]

Interesting. I've never seen a nine pin USB-A socket, so I have no idea where that cable would be used. Oh, well. tech is fun.

I never saw Jake's post or I would have replied sooner.
All the Macs with USB-3 ports wll have a 9-pin USB-A socket so that it is backwards compatible with USB 1.1, USB 2 and USB 3.
The cable I have received with every USB-3 external drive has a USB-A (9-pin) conector that plugs into the USB port on the Mac and a USB-3 Micro connector that plugs into the USB-3 external drive.

 

[MacInWin]

All the Macs with USB-3 ports wll have a 9-pin USB-A socket so that it is backwards compatible with USB 1.1, USB 2 and USB 3.

I don't think so. The 9 pin USB socket is much larger than any I have ever seen on a Mac. Are you thinking about the standard four-pin USB-A socket? This is the 9 pin:


What Mac has that socket?

 

[krs]

I don't think so. The 9 pin USB socket is much larger than any I have ever seen on a Mac. Are you thinking about the standard four-pin USB-A socket? This is the 9 pin:
View attachment 37907

What Mac has that socket?

What you are showing is a USB type B connector.
USB type B connectors are typically used on peripherals like a printer, not on the computer side.

I'm talking about a USB type A connector.
The one that provdes the "Super speed" has the 4 + 5 contacts in the standard USB type A housing, the little plastic piece in the USB-3 type A connector is blue to indicate "super speed", the "high speed" plastic piece is white.

Maybe the Wiki helps:

USB 3.0 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[MacInWin]

Never saw that before. Thanks.