USB Bulk Cable

The USB 3.1 specification does indeed define a USB Type-C connector with 21 cores, but in some cases, only a portion of these cores may be used to support USB 3.1 functionality. This is because the USB Type-C connector is highly versatile and scalable, capable of supporting multiple functions and protocols.

In certain USB 3.1 devices or cables, only 16 of these cores may be used to transmit USB 3.1 data signals, while the remaining cores are utilized for other functions such as charging, video output, audio transmission, etc. This design aims to meet different device requirements and provide greater flexibility and functionality expansion.

Although using only 16 cores may not achieve the maximum transfer rate of USB 3.1 (10 Gbps), it can still support high transfer rates (e.g., 5 Gbps) and other features of USB 3.1. Such cables are typically labeled as “USB 3.1” to indicate that they are compatible with some aspects of the USB 3.1 standard.

Therefore, when purchasing USB 3.1 devices or cables, it is recommended to check the product descriptions and specifications to understand their specific features and performance. If you require full USB 3.1 functionality and the highest transfer rate, selecting devices or cables that comply with the USB 3.1 specification and have 21 cores would be preferable.