• Created:2026/01/22
• Updated:2026/01/22
• Author:
  Takeshi Takatsudo

USB Type-C Receptacle Connector

6-pin USB Type-C receptacle connector for USB Power Delivery (PD) input and power negotiation (power-only configuration).

• 🔗 View on JLCPCB: C456012
• 📘 USB Type-C Specification

Overview

The USB Type-C receptacle connector (J1) serves as the power input interface for this modular synthesizer power supply. It receives power from USB-C PD chargers and provides the necessary connections for the STUSB4500 USB-PD controller to negotiate 15V/3A power delivery.

This design uses a 6-pin power-only USB Type-C connector optimized for USB-PD applications where data transfer is not needed. The 6-pin configuration includes only the essential pins for power delivery: VBUS, GND, and CC (Configuration Channel) pins.

USB Type-C features a reversible connector design, allowing insertion in either orientation. The connector uses CC (Configuration Channel) pins to detect orientation and negotiate power delivery profiles with compatible chargers.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value	Notes
JLCPCB Part Number	C456012	This design
Manufacturer Part Number	USB-TYPE-C-009
Package	SMD (Surface Mount)	6-pin power-only
Stock Availability	22,140 units	Good availability
Pin Count	6 pins	Power-only configuration
Current Rating	3A typical	Sufficient for USB-PD
Voltage Rating	20V maximum	USB PD 3.0 compatible
Mounting Type	SMD (mid-mount)
Durability	10,000+ mating cycles	Typical

Pin Configuration

The 6-pin USB Type-C connector provides only the essential pins for USB Power Delivery:

USB Type-C 6-Pin Connector (Power-Only)
Receptacle Front View (looking into the connector)

    ┌──────────────────┐
    │   1    2    3    │  Top Row
    │  GND  VBUS  CC1  │
    └──────────────────┘
    ┌──────────────────┐
    │  CC2  VBUS  GND  │  Bottom Row
    │   4    5    6    │
    └──────────────────┘

Pin Descriptions

Pin	Signal	Function	Connection in This Design
1	GND	Ground (Top)	✅ System GND, STUSB4500 GND (pins 6, 12, EPAD)
2	VBUS	Power input (Top)	✅ STUSB4500 VDD (pin 5), C1, C2
3	CC1	Configuration Channel 1	✅ STUSB4500 CC1 (pin 2)
4	CC2	Configuration Channel 2	✅ STUSB4500 CC2 (pin 3)
5	VBUS	Power input (Bottom)	✅ STUSB4500 VDD (pin 5), C1, C2
6	GND	Ground (Bottom)	✅ System GND, STUSB4500 GND (pins 6, 12, EPAD)

Note: Pins 2 and 5 (both VBUS) are connected together internally or on PCB. Same for pins 1 and 6 (both GND).

Application in This Project

In this power supply design, the 6-pin USB Type-C connector is used exclusively for power delivery - not data transfer. All 6 pins are utilized:

Pin Connections

1. VBUS Pins (2, 5):

   • Receive power from USB-C PD charger
   • Initially at 5V (USB default)
   • Negotiates up to 15V/3A via STUSB4500
   • Both VBUS pins connected together for 3A current capacity

2. CC Pins (3, 4):

   • CC1 (pin 3) → STUSB4500 CC1 (pin 2)
   • CC2 (pin 4) → STUSB4500 CC2 (pin 3)
   • Used for orientation detection and PD negotiation
   • STUSB4500 uses CC pins to communicate with PD source

3. Ground Pins (1, 6):

   • Both GND pins connected to system ground
   • Provides solid ground reference for power and signal integrity

Advantages of 6-pin connector:

• ✅ Lower cost compared to 24-pin connectors
• ✅ Smaller PCB footprint
• ✅ Sufficient for power-only USB-PD applications
• ✅ No unused pins - all 6 pins are actively used

Circuit Connections

See Diagram1: USB-PD Power Supply Section for complete wiring.

J1 (USB-C 6P Connector) Connections:

┌────────────────────────────┐
│                            │
│  2, 5  VBUS  ──────────────┼──────── To STUSB4500 VDD (pin 5)
│                            │         and input capacitors C1, C2
│                            │
│  3     CC1   ──────────────┼──────── To STUSB4500 CC1 (pin 2)
│  4     CC2   ──────────────┼──────── To STUSB4500 CC2 (pin 3)
│                            │
│  1, 6  GND   ──────────────┼──────── To system GND
│                            │         and STUSB4500 GND (pins 6, 12, EPAD)
│                            │
└────────────────────────────┘

Connection Topology:

VBUS (pins 2, 5) ──┬─→ C1 (10µF) ──→ GND
                    │
                    ├─→ C2 (100nF) ─→ GND
                    │
                    └─→ STUSB4500 VDD (pin 5)

CC1 (pin 3) ────────→ STUSB4500 CC1 (pin 2)
CC2 (pin 4) ────────→ STUSB4500 CC2 (pin 3)

GND (pins 1, 6) ────→ System GND / STUSB4500 GND (pins 6, 12, EPAD)

USB Power Delivery Operation

Default Power (No PD Negotiation)

When connected to a standard USB power source:

• Voltage: 5V
• Current: Up to 0.9A (4.5W) - USB 2.0 spec
• Current: Up to 3A (15W) - with USB Type-C current advertisement

With USB-PD Negotiation (STUSB4500)

When connected to a USB-PD charger:

1. Initial State (0-100ms):

   • Connector establishes physical connection
   • VBUS provides 5V default power
   • VBUS_EN_SNK remains LOW (load switch OFF)

2. Orientation Detection (100-200ms):

   • STUSB4500 detects cable orientation via CC1/CC2
   • Identifies which CC pin is active

3. PD Negotiation (200-500ms):

   • STUSB4500 requests 15V/3A power profile via CC line
   • PD source responds with available power profiles
   • Negotiation completes (with retry logic if needed)

4. Voltage Transition (500-1000ms):

   • VBUS transitions from 5V → 15V
   • STUSB4500 monitors voltage stability

5. Power Ready (>1000ms):

   • VBUS stable at 15V
   • VBUS_EN_SNK goes HIGH (load switch ON)
   • System can draw up to 45W (15V × 3A)

Design Considerations

PCB Layout

1. Keep CC traces short: Route CC1/CC2 traces directly to STUSB4500 with minimal length
2. Match CC trace lengths: CC1 and CC2 should have similar lengths for symmetry
3. VBUS current capacity: Use wide traces or copper pours for both VBUS pins (2, 5)
4. GND plane: Solid ground connection for both GND pins (1, 6)
5. ESD protection: Consider adding ESD protection diodes on CC lines (optional but recommended)

Mechanical Mounting

• Ensure connector is securely mounted with through-hole posts or mid-mount design
• PCB cutout should match connector footprint exactly
• Consider mechanical stress from cable insertion/removal (10,000+ cycles)

Thermal Considerations

• VBUS pins carry up to 3A current
• Connector should have adequate copper area for heat dissipation
• At 15V/3A (45W), minimal heating expected with proper PCB design

Alternative Parts

If C456012 is unavailable, consider these 6-pin power-only USB Type-C alternatives:

Part Number	Stock	Notes
C2927029	22,140	USB-TYPE-C-009 (previous)
C668623	133,479	TYPE-C 6P(073)
C5156600	43,224	TYPE-C 6PLTH6.8-DJ
C36936554	38,214	UC17-0B06F68011 (3A rated)

Important: Verify pinout compatibility when substituting parts. Most 6-pin USB Type-C power-only connectors follow the same pinout (GND-VBUS-CC1 / CC2-VBUS-GND), but always check the datasheet.

Note: Full 24-pin USB Type-C receptacles can also be used if needed, but the 6-pin version is more cost-effective for power-only applications.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Solution
No power from USB-C	Poor VBUS connection	Check solder joints on pins 2, 5 (VBUS)
PD negotiation fails	CC pins not connected	Verify CC1 (pin 3) and CC2 (pin 4) connections to STUSB4500
Intermittent power	Loose connector	Check mechanical mounting and solder joints
Only 5V available	PD source not compatible	Use USB-PD 2.0/3.0 compatible charger (15V profile required)
Ground issues	Poor GND connection	Check solder joints on pins 1, 6 (GND)

References

• USB Type-C Cable and Connector Specification
• USB Power Delivery Specification 3.1
• STUSB4500 USB-PD Controller - Companion IC for PD negotiation (v1.1)
• Diagram1: USB-PD Section - Circuit diagram