Connectors
USB-C, JST, and power connectors: footprint variance across clones, retention mechanics, and the CC-resistor rules.
Written and verified by John Merton · verified 2026-07-10
Connectors are mechanical parts with electrical specifications, and the electrical part is usually the easy part. This category covers the TYPE-C-31-M-12 — the generic 16-pin USB-C receptacle on a large share of hobby boards — and its specific traps: CC resistor rules, footprint variance across clones, duplicate USB 2.0 pad routing, and the retention legs that carry insertion force but are often left unsoldered.
The TYPE-C-31-M-12 is a class of connector more than a single part: the vendor drawing covers the M-12 family, and every clone vendor sells a slightly different footprint under the same name. The page documents what the HRO drawing actually specifies so you can compare against whatever clone you are buying.
How to choose
The axes below are the criteria you actually weigh when selecting a part in this category.
- CC pull-down requirement: two resistors, not one shared
- The USB-C spec requires separate 5.1 kΩ pull-downs on CC1 and CC2. A single shared resistor breaks orientation detection with C-to-C cables — the number one reason a board charges from A-to-C but not C-to-C.
- See:TYPE-C-31-M-12
- Footprint verification against the exact vendor drawing
- The TYPE-C-31-M-12 name describes a class, not a single footprint. Every clone vendor's pad geometry and retention-leg placement differs. Pull the drawing for the exact connector you are buying.
- See:TYPE-C-31-M-12
- Retention leg soldering and board-edge placement
- Insertion force is 5–20 N and must be carried by the shell retention legs, not the signal pads. Through-board legs need plated holes and solder. Board-edge position determines how far the cable seats.
- See:TYPE-C-31-M-12
Standout parts
A small curated group of parts in this category that represent different positions on the selection axes. Start here if you are new to the category.
All parts in this category
Compare specs
Parts in this guide verified against manufacturer datasheets; latest 2026-07-10.
| MPN | Package | Lifecycle | Headline spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2B-PH-K-S | 2-circuit, 2.0 mm pitch, side-entry through-hole shrouded header | Active | Connector identity: S2B-PH-K-S; 2-circuit side-entry through-hole PH header |
| TYPE-C-31-M-12 | USB Type-C receptacle, 16-pin, right-angle SMT | Active | Pins / variant: 16 pins, USB 2.0 subset only: pin table: A1/B12/A12/B1 GND, A4/B9/A9/B4 VBUS, A5 CC1, B5 CC2, A6 DP1, B6 DP2, A7 DN1, B7 DN2, A8 SBU1, B8 SBU2; no SuperSpeed pairs |
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