PoweredUSB
| Company type | Proprietary technology |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware, Power supplies |
| Founded | 1998–1999 |
| Founder | IBM, Berg Electronics, NCR Corporation, Microsoft |
| Products | USB connectors with enhanced power delivery |
| Parent | IBM (patents and licensing) |
PoweredUSB, also referred to as Retail USB, USB PlusPower, USB +Power, or USB Power Plus, represents a proprietary enhancement of the Universal Serial Bus standard. This technology allows devices requiring greater power to receive it directly from their USB host, removing the necessity for separate power supply units or external AC adapters. It is predominantly applied in point-of-sale systems, including receipt printers, touch screen interfaces, and barcode reader devices.
History
The development and proposal of PoweredUSB occurred between 1998 and 1999 through collaboration among IBM, Berg Electronics (currently part of Amphenol), NCR Corporation, and Microsoft. The most recent version of the specification (0.8g) was published in 2004. This standard is not officially recognized by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). IBM holds patents related to PoweredUSB technology and imposes licensing fees on manufacturers wishing to implement it.
Several prominent companies have acquired licenses for PoweredUSB, including Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba, Epson, Fujitsu, Wincor-Nixdorf, and Siemens.
Implementation
PoweredUSB utilizes a more sophisticated connector design than conventional USB by integrating the standard USB 1.x and 2.0 data interface with an additional power connector. Structurally, it stacks two connectors: the lower portion accommodates a standard USB plug, while the upper portion connects to a dedicated power plug.
This system supports multiple voltage levels: 5 V (30 W), 12 V (72 W), and 24 V (144 W), along with customized voltages such as 19 V or 25 V. Each connector can manage peak currents up to 6 A (3 A per pin), though hosts are required to supply at least a continuous current of 1.5 A at either 5 V or 12 V, or 2.3 A at 24 V.
For comparison, traditional USB 1.x/2.0 provides 5 V at a maximum of 0.5 A (2.5 W), USB 3.0 delivers up to 0.9 A (4.5 W), while hosts compliant with the USB Battery Charging Specification can supply as much as 1.5 A (7.5 W).
To prevent incorrect connections, PoweredUSB plugs are keyed according to voltage and often feature color coding: gray indicates 5 V, blue-green corresponds to 12 V, red signifies 24/25 V, violet represents 19 V, and black is sometimes used for voltages exceeding 5 V.
Various manufacturers produce connectors equipped with an automatic locking mechanism designed to reduce inadvertent power disconnections. While hot-plugging capability is recommended, it remains optional—particularly, red-colored 24-volt connectors should never be attached or detached while energized.
Future
In 2012, the USB-IF introduced the USB Power Delivery Specification (USB PD) as an optional enhancement applicable to USB 2.0 and USB 3.x standards. This specification delivers comparable power capabilities without relying on proprietary connectors, maintaining the use of standard USB connectors but necessitating PD-compatible cables to handle increased currents.
With USB PD, devices can negotiate alternative voltage levels such as 9, 15, and 20 V, alongside higher current capacities—up to 3 A at 5 V (15 W) and optionally up to 5 A at either 12 V (60 W) or 20 V (100 W)—offering enhanced power delivery versatility compared to traditional PoweredUSB implementations.
See also
- IBM Retail Store Solutions, IBM's division focused on POS hardware and software solutions