# How much power can you get from a USC-C port with just simple wiring? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Tags:** tools-electric-diy\ **Created:** [June 28, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-can-you-get-from-a-usc-c-port-with-just-simple-wiring/1031252 "2026-06-28T20:05:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LivingGhost371](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-can-you-get-from-a-usc-c-port-with-just-simple-wiring/1031252/1 "2026-06-28T20:05:38Z")
I set up miniature Halloween and Christmas Villages. One of the larger manufacturers is switching to having their pieces powered by USB A or C ports instead of DC barrell connections. They appear to just draw power from the charger or port without any kind of USB compliant negotiation, the ones with USB C ports don’t even have the 5.1K pulldown resistors to request default power from the charger. My understanding is they should work when using a A to C cable, but not with a C to C cable, yet they do. Do the makers of USB C chargers actually have them output power even without the required pulldown resistors in the load device, or is my whole understanding of this incorrect? ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-can-you-get-from-a-usc-c-port-with-just-simple-wiring/1031252/2 "2026-06-28T20:58:38Z")
No resistors → no power Why do you think there is nothing there, though? ---
**Author:** ![LivingGhost371](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-can-you-get-from-a-usc-c-port-with-just-simple-wiring/1031252/3 "2026-06-29T00:50:35Z")
I don’t see any resistors between the pins in the device- there’s just two wires connected to the jack, and I used a breakout box to measure resistance between ground and and the other pins with an ohmmeter and didn’t get anything. ---
**Author:** ![andrewm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@andrewm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewm)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-can-you-get-from-a-usc-c-port-with-just-simple-wiring/1031252/4 "2026-06-29T02:00:37Z")
You wouldn’t see anything in the device - they go on the data lines. Low-wattage surface mount devices can easily fit inside the USB plug itself. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-can-you-get-from-a-usc-c-port-with-just-simple-wiring/1031252/5 "2026-06-29T03:49:03Z")
The resistance should be between CC and ground. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-can-you-get-from-a-usc-c-port-with-just-simple-wiring/1031252/6 "2026-06-29T19:24:07Z")
I would expect a typical rating of 5 vdc @ 500 mA on a lousy charger and, as said, without further negotiation. I recommend an test instrument, I have one like below but there are other kinds: > **[USB C Power Meter Testers, Eversame 2 in 1 Type C USB Tester Color Screen LCD...](https://www.amazon.com/Eversame-Multimeter-Voltmeter-Indicator-DC3-6-30V/dp/B07JYVPLLJ)** > > USB C Power Meter Testers, Eversame 2 in 1 Type C USB Tester Color Screen LCD Digital Multimeter, USB C Voltage Current Voltmeter Amp Volt Ammeter Detector USB Cable Charger Indicator DC3.6-30V/0-5.1A - Amazon.com ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-can-you-get-from-a-usc-c-port-with-just-simple-wiring/1031252/7 "2026-06-29T20:59:28Z")
> [@LivingGhost371](#): > > They appear to just draw power from the charger or port without any kind of USB compliant negotiation, the ones with USB C ports don’t even have the 5.1K pulldown resistors to request default power from the charger. My understanding is they should work when using a A to C cable, but not with a C to C cable, yet they do. Do the makers of USB C chargers actually have them output power even without the required pulldown resistors in the load device, or is my whole understanding of this incorrect? You’re correct: on the device/load that is being powered, there must be a 5.1 kΩ resistor between CC1 and ground, and a 5.1 kΩ resistor between CC2 and ground, _if_ the power source has a USB-C connector _and_ is USB-C compliant. It’s a mystery if you’re getting 5 V without the resistors. Is it possible the USB-C to USB-C cable is e-marked? If so, one of the connectors on the cable contains a 5.1 kΩ resistor between CC and ground.