StarTech USB2AC50CM USB-A to USB-C Cable, 0.5M

Overview

The StarTech USB2AC50CM is a compact 0.5-meter (1.6 ft) USB 2.0 cable with a Type-A connector on one end and a USB Type-C (24-pin) connector on the other. At 480Mbps and just 6 grams, it is built for short-run device connections where you need a tidy, low-profile cable without the bulk of longer cables cluttering a workstation or equipment rack. The slim 3.5mm outer diameter keeps cable routing clean in tight spaces — useful in desktop deployments where connector proximity matters more than raw transfer speed.

This is not a cable for high-speed storage transfers or video output. USB 2.0 at 480Mbps is the right specification for keyboards, mice, USB headsets, barcode readers, card readers, and similar peripherals that do not saturate the bus. If you are connecting a USB-C peripheral to a legacy USB-A host port and the device draws modest power and bandwidth, the USB2AC50CM is a direct fit. For USB 3.x speeds or video alternate mode, you will need a different cable.

Key Features

• 480Mbps USB 2.0 Performance: Handles the full bandwidth ceiling of USB 2.0 — sufficient for HID devices, card readers, barcode scanners, and audio peripherals without the cost or complexity of USB 3.x infrastructure. If your device does not require SuperSpeed, this keeps the BOM lean.
• USB Type-A to USB Type-C (4-pin to 24-pin): Bridges legacy USB-A host ports — still the dominant connector on commercial-grade workstations and NVRs — to modern USB-C peripherals. No adapter dongle required, which eliminates an extra failure point in the connection chain.
• Aluminum-Mylar Foil with Braid Shielding: Combined foil and braid construction suppresses EMI from nearby switching power supplies, motor controllers, and RF sources common in warehouse and industrial environments. This matters when running cable near uninterruptible power supplies or within equipment racks.
• 22/30 AWG Wire Gauge: The 22 AWG power conductors support adequate current delivery for bus-powered devices, while the 30 AWG data conductors keep the cable diameter at 3.5mm — thin enough to route through cable management channels without occupying full-size slots.
• Nickel-Plated Connectors: Nickel plating resists corrosion and connector wear through repeated insertion cycles — relevant for devices that get connected and disconnected frequently, such as handheld scanners or mobile credential readers at a charging station.
• PVC Cable Jacket: Flexible PVC jacket handles the 0 to 35°C operating temperature range and bends easily for routing around desk edges or through cable clips without kinking at short bend radii.
• 0.5M Fixed Length: At 1.6 ft, this cable is intentionally short — desk-mount or panel-to-panel connections only. The short run also means signal integrity is not a concern at USB 2.0 speeds; you are operating well within the 5-meter USB 2.0 maximum segment length.
• Lifetime Warranty: StarTech backs this cable with a lifetime warranty — meaningful for a passive component that is often overlooked in maintenance cycles. One less item to budget for replacement.

Integration and Compatibility

The USB2AC50CM connects any USB 2.0 or USB 3.x Type-A host port to a USB-C device operating at USB 2.0 speeds. The USB-C connector is backward-compatible with USB 3.x and USB 2.0 host speeds when the host port is Type-A USB 2.0. Compatible operating environment spans 0°C to 35°C (32°F to 95°F) with 5–80% relative humidity — standard indoor commercial conditions. Storage is rated to -10°C to 80°C, so the cable survives warehouse storage without degradation.

This cable does not support USB Power Delivery, Thunderbolt, or USB 3.x SuperSpeed — those require cables and host ports rated for those protocols. It is also not suitable for USB-C video output (DisplayPort Alt Mode). Verify your peripheral operates within USB 2.0 bandwidth before specifying this cable for the deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum data transfer speed of the USB2AC50CM?

A: The USB2AC50CM is a USB 2.0 cable rated at 480Mbps. It does not support USB 3.x SuperSpeed (5Gbps or higher). It is appropriate for HID devices, card readers, barcode scanners, and audio peripherals that operate within USB 2.0 bandwidth.

Q: Does the USB2AC50CM support USB Power Delivery (USB PD) or fast charging?

A: No. The USB2AC50CM is a USB 2.0 cable and does not support USB Power Delivery protocols. It delivers standard USB 2.0 bus power only (up to 500mA at 5V). For USB PD or fast charging, a USB PD-rated cable and compatible charger are required.

Q: What is the warranty on the USB2AC50CM?

A: StarTech provides a lifetime warranty on the USB2AC50CM.

Q: Can the USB2AC50CM be used in an outdoor or industrial environment?

A: The operating temperature range is 0°C to 35°C (32°F to 95°F) with 5–80% relative humidity. This covers standard indoor commercial environments. It is not rated for outdoor or wide-temperature industrial deployments.

Q: Will this cable work with a USB-C device that supports USB 3.1 or 3.2?

A: The cable will connect physically, but data transfer will be capped at USB 2.0 speeds (480Mbps) because the cable is not rated for USB 3.x. If the connected device requires USB 3.x bandwidth to function correctly, use a USB 3.x-rated cable instead.

Q: Does the USB2AC50CM support video output via USB-C?

A: No. USB-C video output (DisplayPort Alt Mode or HDMI Alt Mode) requires a cable and host port that explicitly support alternate mode. The USB2AC50CM is a USB 2.0 data cable and does not carry video signals.

Karl Wilson

The USB2AC50CM is a cable I reach for specifically when the job is a short, fixed-position USB-A-to-USB-C connection and there is no case for spending more on USB 3.x infrastructure. The 3.5mm outer diameter is genuinely useful — in a populated equipment bay where you are routing multiple cables through the same channel, that slim profile makes a real difference compared to standard USB cables that run 4.5–5mm OD.

Technical Highlights:

• Combined Foil and Braid Shield: Aluminum-Mylar foil plus braid shielding gives this cable better EMI rejection than foil-only designs — worth specifying when the cable runs near switching power supplies or UPS units in an equipment rack.
• 22/30 AWG Conductor Pairing: The heavier 22 AWG power conductors mean bus-powered devices get clean current delivery over the full 0.5M run, while 30 AWG data conductors keep the cable diameter at 3.5mm and the weight at just 6 grams.
• Lifetime Warranty: For a passive component that rarely gets audited in maintenance cycles, the lifetime warranty on the USB2AC50CM removes it from the replacement budget entirely — one fewer line item to track.

Deployment Considerations:

• Operating temperature tops out at 35°C (95°F) — this cable is rated for standard indoor commercial environments only. Do not specify it for equipment closets that run hot or any outdoor installation.
• USB 2.0 at 480Mbps is a hard ceiling. If there is any chance the connected device will need SuperSpeed bandwidth in future — USB 3.x storage, a high-res document scanner, or a webcam — specify a USB 3.x-rated cable at the outset. Retrofitting later in a finished installation costs more than upgrading the cable now.

This cable fits cleanest in fixed workstation deployments: a card reader or USB barcode scanner permanently mounted at a checkout counter, a credential reader wired to a nearby access control panel USB port, or a USB headset at a reception desk. Short run, stable connection, no bandwidth demands — that is the scenario where the USB2AC50CM earns its place.