USB-C will soon support 240 Watt power delivery but creates one more new standard

USB-C is a versatile connection standard. One port can handle peripheral connections, support external displays, and deliver power to a device (among many other uses). However, USB-C is limited. One such limitation is being greatly expanded, although it will create more confusion in the already thick spaghetti of USB standards.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) announced a new USB-C specification (spec) that can deliver up to 240 Watts of power, a big bump up from the current limitation of 100 Watts. This increased power delivery should allow most high-end laptops (notably gaming laptops) to support USB-C power delivery (USB-C PD), which can be a nice convenience for power users on the go.

There is a downside: the increased power delivery comes with a new spec. Cables that support 240 W power delivery will be called Extended Power Range (EPR) cables. These cables will have modifications not present in current USB-C cables and will bear a new logo to inform consumers that they can supply 240 W.

If that isn’t confusing enough, there are a variety of USB 3 standards that can use the Type-C connector, as well as USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4. All of these operate on different data speed standards, but now users will need to consider power delivery standards as well. As with all USB cables, users will need to check the box and logos on the cable to determine what data and PD standards the cable supports.

USB-IF says that USB-C EPR will be available in the latter half of 2021.

What do you think of the new USB-C power delivery spec? Let us know in the comments.

Buy a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 cable with support for DisplayPort and 100 Watt PD at Amazon.