What is USB-C with Power Delivery (PD)?

February 05, 24 - Posted in: 2024, Tech Talk by Kevin Quinn, Thee DocKtor

USB-C and Power Delivery are two separate things.

USB-C / USB Type-C

Start with considering the “C” in “USB-C” as representing “Connector” as in “USB-Connector” (not to be thought of as USB-Confusion as you may have heard the DocKtor half-jokingly refer to it as).

Seriously, the term “USB-C” is used in many often-confusing ways, but it really is only the name of the connector (plug or receptacle) and not what it is capable of. USB-C can contain Power Delivery, with or without many of the Alternate Modes (including Thunderbolt) or just one of the USB specifications, or something else entirely since it’s just a connector system. However, a USB-C port does not have to have Power Delivery.

Power Delivery (PD)

Power Delivery is a separate standalone set of specifications that utilize the USB-C connector to deliver power (voltage and Direct Current). That is, USB-C doesn’t have to provide Power Delivery, but Power Delivery does have to use the USB-C connector.

The latest version of the Power Delivery specification is PD 3.1 offering up to 48V at 5ADC for 240WDC. This is the maximum and not required by any PD 3.1 compliant power supply. Also, PD 3.0, and PD 2.0 devices are still very prevalent many requiring much less than the maximum 100WDC of these specifications.

Takeaways

Not all USB-C ports support Power Delivery. Read the device documentation to be sure.
The speed of any charging will vary depending on the Power Delivery supply and the device.
Many devices require a specific type of USB-C cable to support Power Delivery.
Targus and Hyper offer power supplies, chargers, battery packs and docking stations that are PD 3.1, PD 3.0, and PD 2.0 compliant.

Please contact your Targus representative or DocKtor for further support or information.

US Website: http://targus.com/us/support
Telephone: 1-800-283-6325

Canada Website: http://www.targus.com/ca/support

Australia Website: http://www.targus.com/au/support
Email: infoaust@targus.com, Telephone: 1-800-641-645

New Zealand Telephone: 0800-633-222

Latin America Email: soporte@targus.com

Asia Pacific Website: https://ap.targus.com/pages/support