USB-C Power Delivery Charging (USB-C PD)
What is USB-C PD?
USB-Power Delivery (PD) is a fast-charging technology based on the USB-C standard. Certain Apple® and Android smartphones/tablets and various laptop brands support the technology, which provides much higher performance than standard charging methods.
USB-C PD is a new standard that can deliver up to 100 watts of power, which is enough to charge laptops and other devices that require more power than USB-C alone can supply. This specification was created by the USB-IF in response to requests from laptop manufacturers for a connector that could deliver more power.
The USB-C PD standard is compatible with the USB 3.1 and USB Power Delivery 2.0 specifications. The USB-C PD specification defines how devices can use the USB-C connector to supply power and how these devices are identified and managed. It defines what the pins in the connector do and how they can be used to provide power at various voltages and currents.
What are the benefits of USB-C PD?
USB-C PD can supply a greater amount of power than standard wall chargers, so it is especially useful for getting power back into devices fast. USB-PD can charge smartphones/tablets up to 70% faster than a standard USB charger that only offers 5 watts of power. Plus, since USB Power Delivery is an open widely adopted standard, more chargers are using the technology.
This flexibility means you won’t have to worry as much about losing, breaking or not having your specific/proprietary charger because more chargers will work with your USB-C PD device.
Is Power Delivery technology safe?
Yes. The USB Power Delivery chipset always delivers exactly the right amount of power. Whether it’s a smartphone or a laptop, the charger recognizes the connected device and negotiates the required power to charge it as quickly as possible. This negotiation ensures a quick charge without delivering too much power or damaging the devices circuits.
USB Power Delivery 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 Standards – Confused yet?
There is no need to be. There are three iterations of the USB PD standard. USB PD 1.0 is a rather basic version providing fixed power profiles, whereas the newer PD 2.0 and 3.0 revisions are more dynamic and provide greater flexibility.
USB Power Delivery 1.0
| Profile | Voltage | Current | Power | Supported devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 V | 2 A | 10 W | smartphones, hard drives, small accessories |
| 2 | 12 V | 1.5 A | 18 W | smartphones, tablets, Ultrabooks™, larger accessories |
| 3 | 12 V | 3 A | 36 W | future smartphones, notebooks, displays, hubs |
| 4 | 20 V | 3 A | 60 W | larger notebooks, hubs, docking stations |
| 5 | 20 V | 5 A | 100 W * | workstations, hubs, external graphic cards |
USB Power Delivery 2.0/3.0
| Profile | Voltage | Current | Power | Supported devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 V | 0.1 – 3.0 [A] | 10 W | headphones, small accessories |
| 2 | 9 V | 1.67 – 3.0 [A] | 15 – 27 W | smartphones, cameras and drones |
| 3 | 15 V | 1.8 – 3.0 [A] | 27 – 45 W | tablets, and small laptops |
| 4 | 20 V | 2.25 – 3.0 [A] 3.0 – 5.0 [A] * | 45 – 100 W | large laptops and displays |
* Requires specially rated 100 W USB-C charging cable
USB Power Delivery – Power Requirements per Device Class
Here is a brief overview of the power requirement of different types of devices.
USB Power Delivery – Fast Charging Times
USB charging is great, but it can take a long time to charge your phone or tablet if you’re using a standard USB port. USB-C Fast Charging puts an end to that. See below for how fast you can charge your smartphone using a USB-C PD Charger with Fast Charging capability.
| Charging method | Device | Cable | Charging time (up to 50%) | Charger rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Charge for iOS | iPhone 12 | Lightning/USB-C | 30 minutes | 18 W or higher |
| Fast Charge for iOS | iPhone X | Lightning/USB-C | 30 minutes | 18 W or higher |
| Fast Charge for iOS | iPad Pro | Lightning/USB-C | 60 minutes | 27 W or higher |
| PD for Android | Google Pixel 4 | USB-C/USB-C | 37 minutes | 18 W or higher |
| PD for Android | Google Pixel 4 XL | USB-C/USB-C | 37 minutes | 18 W or higher |