Technical white paper

HP USB Type-C™
Features, power options, and accessories

Table of contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................2
Power delivery implementation on HP ZBooks, commercial notebooks, and adapters.............................................2
Features and compatibility for USB Type-C™ hosts and accessories.............................................................................3
HP Notifications: USB Type-C™ messaging..........................................................................................................................4
Frequently asked questions....................................................................................................................................................5
Technical white paper | HP USB Type-C™

The purpose of this document is to provide a brief overview of USB Type-C™

and define the available features, accessories, and power options.

What is USB Type-C™?

USB Type-C™ is a small, reversible USB connector with 4x high speed lanes (24 pin). USB Type-C™ can deliver data
(including Thunderbolt™ 3), audio, and video, as well as provide charging power to many devices (USB Power Delivery).

Figure. USB Type-C™ Plug

USB Type-C™ video modes (alternate mode): USB Type-C™ ports support adapters that can output different types of
video, such as HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort™, all from one USB Type-C™ port on your computer or device.

USB Type-C™ power delivery (USB PD): USB Type-C™ power delivery is bi-directional, so a device can either send or
receive power. This power can be transferred at the same time the device is transmitting data across the connection.

Thunderbolt™ 3: The Thunderbolt™ 3 controller has bandwidth up to 40 Gbit/s (5 GB/s) and can drive two external 4K
displays at 60 Hz. It supports PCIe 3.0, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort™ 1.2, and allows backwards compatibility with the first two
Thunderbolt™ versions by the use of adapters or transitional cables.

Power delivery implementation on HP ZBooks, commercial notebooks,

and adapters
USB Type-C™ power delivery allows HP computers to deliver a higher current output at different output voltages. The
power delivery output and voltage will vary based on the capabilities of the computer or device.

Hosts or computers
• HP ZBooks and commercial notebooks deliver 5V of output voltage. Some computers support delivering a maximum
current of 1.5A or 3A, but do not support 5A. Refer to the HP Computers - USB Type-C™ Features table for more details
on power delivery.
• The USB Type-C™ output power can be adjusted based on system power conditions. For example, an HP Elitebook
or HP ZBook provides power at 5V@3A. But, the computer can change the output power to 5V@1.5A or 5V@900mA
depending on the load that the system exerts on the AC Adapter to prevent overdrawing current.
• Some HP commercial notebooks can also withdraw power from an external device (i.e., an AC Adapter) through the USB
Type-C™ Port. Refer to the HP computers - USB Type-C™ features table for more details.

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Accessories
• Current HP USB Type-C™ AC adapters are designed to support an output voltage of 5V@3A for 15W adapters and
15V@3A for 45W adapters.
• HP AC adapters do not support variable voltage output.
• Any dongle, adapter, or accessory that supports HP USB Type-C™ AC adapters will allow or reject power output based
on the computer’s capabilities.

NOTE: For optimal compatibly and performance, HP recommends using an HP branded USB Type-C™ power adapter
and cable.

Features and compatibility for USB Type-C™ hosts and accessories

HP computers - USB Type-C™ features
The table below shows the USB Type-C™ capabilities and features of HP computers.

USB Type-C™ Summary ZBook HP Elite x2 HP Pro Tablet 600 G2/700 G3/ Desktop 800 Desktop PCIe
feature of feature G3-Mobile 1012 G1 Tablet/ 608 G1 800 G3/1030 Series DM Card for 6/7/8
Workstations HP EliteBook G1/1040 G3 series & AiO TWR, MT, SFF
Folio G1 Notebooks
USB USB 3.0/3.1 USB 3.1 G2 USB 3.1 G2 USB 3.1 G1 USB 3.1 G1 USB 3.1 G1 USB 3.1 G1
Thunderbolt™ Thunderbolt™ 3 Yes Yes No No No No
DP Alternative x2 & x4 x2 & x4 x2 & x4 No No No
Mode Support
for Display Port
Power delivery Provide power 3A (15W) 1.5A/3A 1.5A (7.5W) 3A (15W) 3A (15W) 3A (15W)
output for accessories (7.5W/15W)
Input power AC Power/ No 36W 15W No No No
System
Charging

USB Type-C™ compatible HP accessories

The tables below showcase a list of key USB Type-C™ accessories and a brief description of the features available.

Dongles Description/features Power role(s) Equipment description

HP USB-C™ to USB 3 HP USB-C™ to USB 3.0 Adapter with Consumer Convert the notebook or tablet’s USB-C™ port to
Adapter Type-A receptacle USB 3.0 with the HP USB-C™ to USB 3.0 Adapter
HP USB-C™ to VGA Consumer Alternative mode is DisplayPort™
VGA Display Adapter
HP USB-C™ to HDMI HDMI Consumer Alternative mode is DisplayPort™
Display Adapter
HP USB-C™ to HP USB Type-C™ (male) to RJ45 Consumer Combinational dongle
Ethernet/USB3/ (female), USB3 (female) and USB-C™
USB-C Adapter (female)
HP USB-C™ to HDMI/ USB Type-C™ (male) to HDMI (female), Consumer Dongle
VGA/ USB-C™ Adapter VGA (female), USB Type-C™ (female)
adapter
HP USB-C™ to US 3.0 mm USB Type-C™ to 4.5 mm and 3.0 mm Supplier Charges computer using the HP Smart AC
and 4.5 mm Adapter Combo DC Jacks Adapter (18 to 65W)

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USB Type-C™ compatible HP docks

Docks Description/features Power role(s) Equipment description

HP ZBook USB Type-C™ Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock with (4) Consumer Thunderbolt™ 3 enabled docking station
Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock USB 3.0, (2) DP, (1) VGA, (1) RJ45, (1) audio, for ZBook Mobile Workstations; the docking
and (1) USB-Type C™ port; the dock is also station uses a combo AC + USB Type-C™
capable of charging compatible computers. combo cable to connect to the computer;
Charging is only through the AC adapter.
HP Elite USB Type-C™ Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock with (4) Supplier Thunderbolt™ 3 enabled docking station for
Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock USB 3.0, (2) DP, (1) VGA, (1) RJ45, (1) audio, HP Elite x2 1012 G1 Tablet and HP EliteBook
and (1) USB-Type C™ port; the dock is also Folio G1
capable of charging compatible computers.
HP Elite USB-C™ USB Type-C™ Dock with (4) USB 3.0, (1) Supplier USB-C™ Docking Station for HP Elite x2 1012
Docking Station DP, (1) HDMI, (1) RJ45, (1) Audio, and (1) and HP EliteBook Folio G.
USB Type-C™ port; capable of charging
compatible computers.

For more information about the HP ZBook Thunderbolt™ Dock or HP Elite Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock, please refer to the HP
technical white paper: HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 & HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3.

HP Notifications: USB Type-C™ messaging

Below is a list of USB Type-C™ messages/notifications that might appear on the computer display, depending on the
scenarios described.

Scenario Message Cause

Power Adapter accepted: Title: USB Type-C™ Connector A power adapter that is too small to operate
Matches capabilities to charge Text: “For full performance, connect a higher the system while the device is powered on; the
while in sleep states capacity power adapter.” adapter could be used to charge while the system
is in sleep mode or when powered off.
Power adapter rejected: Title: USB Type-C™ Connector Plugging in an adapter that requests power that is
Upstream power flow is not Text: “Charging system via adapter plugged not supported (Cypress controller).
supported into the USB port is not supported.”

Connected device requests Title: USB Type-C™ Connector Plugging a device that requires more power than
more power than can be Text: “USB device requesting more power than can be provided by the system.
supplied system can provide.”
Display system charging capability
Balance downstream power Title: USB Type-C™ Connector Plugging in an adapter to both a USB Type-A port
for charging from Multiple USB Text: “Charging from multiple USB ports may and a USB Type-C™ port (or into 2 USB Type-C™
ports have limited support.” ports) and the system is not capable of charging
both at full capacity while system is running.
The attached dock cable is Title: USB Connector When a dock is connected to a system using a
inadequate to handle the Text: “For full performance, connect higher cable that is inadequate to power the system and
needed power load capacity USB cable to dock.” charge the battery simultaneously.
Display capabilities of the cable
Power adapter rejected: Title: USB Connector Inserting an adapter that is not compatible with
Provider and consumer Text: “The power adapter is not compatible the HP system (i.e., from a third-party vendor that
mismatch with this system.” is not supported).

The Cable Connecting the PCIe Title: USB Type-C™ Connector Either the device does not support alternate
expansion card to the system Text: “Device mode is not supported. Check modes, or doesn’t support a particular alternate
board is unplugged cable or system capabilities.” mode, or the inserted cable is not supported.
Using a non-HP Adapter Title: USB Type-C™ Connector A non-HP adapter is plugged into the USB port.
Text: “HP recommends using an HP power Optimal performance is not guaranteed with
source.” non-HP adapters.

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Scenario Message Cause

Using a small adapter Title: USB Type-C™ Connector The use of an adapter that is too small to power
Text: “The attached power source cannot fully the system. Adapters that are too small will only
power the system but can supplement battery be used to supplement the battery and extend
power. For full performance, use a higher battery life.
capacity power source.”
Port over current situation Title: USB Type-C™ connector The connected device pulls too much current from
Text: “The connected device exceeded the the port causing the Power Delivery controller
power limit of the USB-C™ port.” to issue an over current error to the Embedded
Controller (EC).
Port over voltage situation Title: USB Type-C™ connector If the power source provides high voltage to the
Text: “The USB-C™ port is not working. USB-C™ port, the PD controller will issue an
The connected device caused a power surge. “over voltage failure” message which is shown
Please disconnect.” in the message section.
Unsupported expansion Title: USB Type-C™ connector When a non-genuine HP expansion module
module Text: “The system does not support one of the is detected in the system, the “Unsupported
connected expansion modules.” expansion module” message will display.
Too many expansion modules Title: USB Type-C™ connector When the number of expansion modules exceeds
Text: “The system configuration exceeds the the acceptable amount of system connections,
number of supported expansion modules.” the SIO/BIOS will issue the “Too many expansion
modules” message.
Thunderbolt module is not at Title: USB Type-C™ connector If more than one Thunderbolt expansion module
the top of the stack Text: “The Thunderbolt™ module must be is in the module stack, the “Thunderbolt module is
attached directly below the system module.” not at the top of the stack” message will display;
only one module is permitted, and it should be at
the top of the stack.

Frequently asked questions

What is USB Type-C™?
USB Type-C™ is a smaller, reversible USB connector with 4x high speed lanes (24 pin). USB Type-C™ can deliver data
(including Thunderbolt™ 3), audio, and video, as well as provide charging power to many devices (USB Power Delivery).

Is USB Type-C™ backwards compatible?

Yes, USB Type-C™ is backwards compatible. You can plug any USB 3.0 device into a USB Type-C™ port using a USB
Type-C™ (male) to Type-A (female) adapter.

What is USB Type-C™ power delivery?

USB Type-C™ power delivery is bi-directional, so a device can either send or receive power. This power can be transferred
at the same time the device is transmitting data across the connection.

Does USB Type-C™ support video modes (alternate modes)?

USB Type-C™ ports support adapters that can output different types of video, such as HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort™, all
from one USB Type-C™ port on a computer or device.

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© Copyright 2016 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products
and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting
an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.
USB Type-C™ and USB-C™ are trademarks of USB Implementers Forum. Thunderbolt and vPro are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
DisplayPort™ and the DisplayPort™ logo are trademarks owned by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA®) in the U.S. and other countries.
4AA6-7466ENW, September 2016