Introduction to the Differences and Advantages of SMT and THT USB Type-C Male Plug Connectors

Differences and Advantages Between SMT and Through-Hole USB Type-C Male Connectors

USB Type-C male connectors are primarily divided into two types based on their installation method: Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) and Through-Hole (THT) connectors. Below is a detailed introduction to the differences, advantages, and applicable scenarios for both:

THT(straddle mount) TYPE C male plug	SMT SMT TYPE C male plug

1. Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) USB Type-C Male Connector

Definition

The SMT Type-C male connector is directly soldered onto the surface of the printed circuit board (PCB) using surface-mount technology. Its pins contact the pads on the PCB surface, making it suitable for automated production.

Physical Characteristics

• Installation Method: The pins are flat pads that directly mount to the PCB surface and are fixed after soldering.

• Pin Design: Typically features 24 pins (standard Type-C configuration), with some simplified versions having fewer pins (e.g., supporting only USB 2.0 VBUS, GND, D+/D-).

• Size: The overall height is relatively low (about 2mm), making it suitable for thin designs.

• Fixation Method: The SMT soldering is sometimes supplemented with a few through-hole pins (Hybrid SMT) to enhance strength.

Advantages

• Miniaturization:

  • Low height, ideal for ultra-thin devices (such as smartphones, tablets, ultra-thin laptops).

  • Saves PCB space, suitable for high-density circuit layouts.

• Automated Production:

  • Compatible with SMT production lines, enabling large-scale and high-efficiency production, reducing labor costs.

  • High consistency in soldering, ideal for modern manufacturing processes.

• Lightweight:

  • No through-hole structure needed, reducing PCB drilling and making the overall weight lighter.

• High-Frequency Performance:

  • Shorter pin paths reduce signal attenuation, making it suitable for high-speed data transmission (USB 3.1, USB 4, Thunderbolt).

• Aesthetic and Compact:

  • No protruding pins, with a flat PCB backside, suitable for double-sided mounting.

Disadvantages

• Mechanical Strength:

  • Only fixed by surface pads, which have weaker pull-out resistance; frequent plugging and unplugging can cause solder joint failure.

  • Requires high-quality PCB pads and soldering processes.

  • Some SMT male connectors come with fixed pins that provide stronger pull-out resistance.

• Repair Difficulty:

  • Replacement or repair requires specialized equipment (such as a hot air gun), not suitable for manual operation.

• Thermal Limitations:

  • High-power power delivery (e.g., USB PD 100W or 240W) may be limited due to the small solder pad area.

Applicable Scenarios

• Consumer Electronics: Smart devices, mobile devices, high-performance flash drives, portable smart devices, modular phone accessories.

• Portable Devices: Portable smart products, mobile smart products.

• High-Density Circuits: IoT modules, embedded systems.

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2. Through-Hole (THT) USB Type-C Male Connector

Definition

The Through-Hole Type-C male connector is inserted through pre-drilled holes in the PCB, soldered inside the holes or on the backside of the PCB, with the through-hole providing mechanical fixation.

Physical Characteristics

• Installation Method: Pins pass through the PCB holes and are soldered on both sides of the PCB.

• Pin Design: Pins are long, with some signal pins possibly still using SMT (hybrid design).

• Size: Overall height is higher (about 3-5mm), due to the pins passing through the PCB.

• Fixation Method: Through-hole pins provide strong mechanical support, with some designs adding metal housings for fixation.

Advantages

• Suitable for Cable Production:

  • Compact in size, the structure is ideal for cable connections.

  • Durable, suitable for high-frequency reliability in cable plug/unplug applications.

• Thermal Performance:

  • PVC injection molding structure aids in heat dissipation, making it suitable for high power transmission (e.g., USB PD 240W or industrial equipment).

• Ease of Repair:

  • Can be replaced with manual soldering or simple tools, making it ideal for prototype development or small-scale production, and for cable production.

• Compatibility:

  • Suitable for traditional PCB manufacturing processes without the need for high-precision SMT equipment.

• Cost-Effectiveness:

  • In low-automation production scenarios, the manual insertion cost may be lower than the investment in SMT equipment.

Disadvantages

• Weak Mechanical Strength:

  • No fixed pins passing through the PCB; lacks strong pull-out and torsion resistance, making it unsuitable for durable equipment.

  • Cable pull-out and torsion designs require tin-plated iron crimping.

  • The PCB needs to reserve holes, limiting high-density layouts.

• Low Production Efficiency:

  • Requires manual or semi-automatic pin insertion, making production slower, unsuitable for large-scale automated mass production.

  • Soldering consistency is slightly lower than SMT, requiring more quality inspections.

• Signal Performance:

  • Longer pins may introduce parasitic inductance, affecting high-speed signal transmission (e.g., USB 4 40Gbps).

• Weight:

  • Due to the pin and hole design, the overall weight is slightly higher.

Applicable Scenarios

• Industrial Equipment: Industrial computer cables, test instrument cables, automation equipment cables.

• Automotive Electronics: In-car charger cables, entertainment system interface cables.

• High-Reliability Scenarios: Medical device cables, aerospace module cables.

• Prototype Development: DIY electronic projects, development boards (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi).

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3. SMT vs. Through-Hole: Direct Comparison

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5. Summary and Recommendations

• Choose SMT: If your product focuses on miniaturization, high-speed transmission (e.g., USB 4/3.1), and large-scale production, the SMT Type-C male connector is more suitable.

• Choose THT: If your product requires low cost, low-frequency plug/unplug, and higher mechanical strength, THT is more advantageous.

• Hybrid Design: Some manufacturers offer hybrid SMT+THT Type-C connectors, combining the compactness of SMT and the strength of THT, which can serve as a balanced option.

If you can provide more details (e.g., specific design diagrams of the cable connectors, the type of female connector for the target device, or the application scenario), I can further analyze the compatibility or recommend optimization solutions!