PoweredUSB Explained: 5V, 12V and 24V POS Cabling, Connectors and How to Choose the Right One
A buying guide to PoweredUSB (Retail USB / USB PlusPower) for POS — what it is, the 5V/12V/24V voltage and colour coding, 1x8 vs 2x4 connector keying, how to match a cable to your printer or peripheral, and why voltage matters.
The 60-second summary
PoweredUSB (also called Retail USB, USB PlusPower or USB +Power) is a USB connector that carries data and DC power in one cable, so a receipt printer or touchscreen can run without its own power brick. The only two things you must get right when buying one are the voltage and the connector shape — and the standard makes both easy to check:
| Voltage | Colour | Max power | Typical device | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 V | Grey | ~30 W | Low-power peripherals | — |
| 12 V | Teal / blue-green | ~72 W | Scanners, some printers | — |
| 24 V | Red | ~144 W | Receipt printers (Epson/IBM) | — |
| 19 V (variant) | Violet | — | Specific devices | — |
What PoweredUSB is and why POS uses it
A standard USB port gives you data and a little 5 V power — fine for a mouse, not enough for a thermal receipt printer. PoweredUSB solves that by stacking a power connector onto a standard USB plug: the bottom half is ordinary USB (data), the top half delivers higher-current DC. One cable, both jobs, far less clutter behind the counter.
You’ll find PoweredUSB on receipt printers, touchscreens and scanners from the major POS brands. Because it removes a power supply per peripheral, it cuts both cable count and the number of mains outlets a lane needs.
Voltages, colour coding and power
The standard offers three main voltages plus a variant, each colour-coded so you can identify a cable or port instantly:
Connector types and keying
Voltage isn’t the only variable — the physical pin arrangement at the device end differs too. The two you’ll meet most are described by their pin layout:
| Connector | Layout | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1x8-pin | Eight contacts in one row | Common on many Epson / IBM printers | — |
| 2x4-pin | Two rows of four | Used by other printers/terminals | — |
| Keying by voltage | Plugs physically polarised | 12 V and 24 V won't interchange — by design | — |
Crucially, the different voltage versions are mechanically keyed so they can’t be mis-plugged — a 12 V plug won’t fully seat into a 24 V socket. That keying is a safety feature, not an obstacle: if a connector resists, you have the wrong cable, not a stubborn port.
Matching a cable to your device
Choosing the right PoweredUSB cable is a short, ordered checklist. Work it from the device outward:
- 1
Read the device's rated voltage
Check the printer or peripheral’s label or spec sheet for its input voltage (commonly 24 V for receipt printers, 12 V for many scanners). This decides the cable colour/version. - 2
Identify the connector layout
Note the device-end plug shape — 1x8-pin or 2x4-pin. The cable must match this exactly, so a 24 V printer may need, e.g., a “24 V 1x8-pin” cable. - 3
Confirm the host-end connector
Check what the terminal or PoweredUSB hub/expansion card provides at the other end, and pick a cable with the matching host plug. - 4
Check current and length
Make sure the cable is rated for the device’s current draw (contacts handle ~3 A) and choose a length that reaches without strain — use a PoweredUSB extension or hub if you need more reach.Caution: Never adapt across voltages to make a plug fit — match the device's rated voltage exactly.
When a peripheral won't power
If a PoweredUSB peripheral won’t power up, run these checks before suspecting the device:
| Check | What to confirm | |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage match | Cable colour/version matches the device's rated input | — |
| Fully seated | Connector clicked home at both ends, correct keying | — |
| Cable/port current rating | Rated for the device's draw; not a thin data-only cable | — |
| Port supplies power | Some ports are data-only — confirm it's a powered port | — |
| Swap test | Known-good port + cable powers it = original cable/port faulty | — |
Browse PoweredUSB cables, extensions and adapters in our cables & connectors category, PoweredUSB hubs and expansion cards in interface cards, and replacement bricks in power supplies. If a printer on a PoweredUSB line is dead rather than miscabled, see our power supply failure diagnosis guide. Tell us your printer or peripheral model and we’ll match the exact voltage and connector before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PoweredUSB?
What voltages does PoweredUSB provide?
What do the connector colours mean?
What's the difference between 1x8 and 2x4 PoweredUSB connectors?
Can I use a 24V PoweredUSB cable on a 12V device?
My PoweredUSB peripheral won't power on — what should I check?
Sources & further reading
- PoweredUSB — Wikipedia
- What Is PoweredUSB? 12V vs 24V Explained — PCM Cable
- PoweredUSB Specification (overview) — poweredusb.org
- Powered USB Equipment for POS (PlusPower) — Beagle Hardware
- PoweredUSB Cables for POS Equipment (5V/12V/24V) — Goochain
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