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USB-C connector symbol and footprint

Lesson 2.4 · KiCad · free

The last part is a power-only USB-C connector, the Amphenol 10164359-00011LF. It has no data lines, it only brings 5 V to the board, so the design stays simple.

In this lesson · 5 steps
  1. Read the connector drawing
  2. The symbol
  3. SMD pads
  4. Through-hole pads
  5. Courtyard, silkscreen, 3D model

1Read the connector drawing

  1. From the product page, open the drawing: six SMD pads and four through-hole pads
  2. The pin assignments: A5 CC1, A9 VBUS, A12 GND, B12 GND, B9 VBUS, B5 CC2. We number the pads 1–6 from the left

2The symbol

  1. New symbol 10164359-00011LF, reference USB
  2. Pins 1 GND, 2 VBUS, 3 CC1, 4 CC2, 5 VBUS, 6 GND, 7 SHIELD
Why?
The datasheet doesn't list a pin for the metal body, but it exists. We add pin 7, SHIELD, so the body can go to ground.

3SMD pads

  1. Six pads 0.8 × 1.2 mm at x = ±0.5, ±1.52, ±2.75 mm
Why?
We put the origin in the middle of the connector. The pads are symmetric, so each position on the left has a twin on the right.

4Through-hole pads

  1. New pad → Pad type Through-hole, number 7 · Hole: Oval 0.6 × 1.2 mm · Pad: rounded rectangle 1.1 × 1.7 mm, corner 50 %
  2. Four of them at x = ±4.32 mm, y = 0 and 3.8 mm

5Courtyard, silkscreen, 3D model

  1. Draw the courtyard and a few silkscreen lines for the body → rename the footprint 10164359-00011LF
  2. Add the STEP model, rotate X -90°, offset Y -3 mm until it lines up → save
  3. Symbol Editor → Footprint: 10164359-00011LF; fill Datasheet, Description, Manufacturer Amphenol ICC (FCI) and Part Number → save
Check & troubleshoot

What you should see

  • Symbol pins: 1 GND, 2 VBUS, 3 CC1, 4 CC2, 5 VBUS, 6 GND and 7 SHIELD
  • Six SMD pads 0.8 × 1.2 mm
  • Four through-hole pads 7: 1.1 × 1.7 mm, oval drill 0.6 × 1.2 mm
  • The 3D model lines up with all the pads

If it doesn't work

  • Through-hole pad shows no hole: set Pad type to Through-hole, not SMD
  • Round hole instead of a slot: set the hole shape to Oval and give two sizes
  • Pins 2 and 5 (or 1 and 6) look like duplicates: that's right. The connector has two VBUS and two GND pins, one for each plug orientation

Good to know

  • Through-hole pads go through the board. When you plug and unplug a cable, they take the force, so the connector doesn't break off
  • SMD pads are easier to assemble by machine. Through-hole pads are often soldered by hand and take longer
  • We number the pads 1 to 6 from the left instead of the A/B names. Simple, and the pin table tells us each one's function

Next: Chapter 3: we connect all our parts in the schematic.