Please note: This website includes an accessibility system. Press Control-F11 to adjust the website to the visually impaired who are using a screen reader; Press Control-F10 to open an accessibility menu.
HOME
SHOP
MOTO COMMUNITY

English Community

ThinkPad LaptopsThinkPad: P and W Series Mobile Workstations
Topic Options
2022-09-21 05:38:40

Maximum power output from each of the various USB ports on the P51 ?

I have a P51 (20HH). It has several "A" shaped USB3 ports, and one "C" shaped USB3/Thunderbolt port.

When I plug a USB-A to USB-C cable into any of the USB-A USB3 ports and connect the other end of the cable to a modern, high-end mobile phone (such as a Google Pixel 6a), the phone will show "charging". Plugged a USB power meter in to the P51's USB-A port and then the cable into the power meter, I'll see a maximum of about 1.0A with a good cable. (The same power meter and the same cable, supplying power to the same phone from a wall USB charger will show about 1.5A).

When I plug a C-to-C cable into the C/Thunderbolt port on the P51, the Pixel phone will indicate "charging rapidly" (and, just watching the battery percentage on the phone, it's clear that there is a large difference). Unfortunately, I don't have a USB-C power meter (yet) so I can't measure how much more power that C-shaped/thunderbolt port delivers, but it's substantial.

I looked in the user guide and the maintenance manual for the P51, and nowhere do I see what the rated power output is for each type of USB port on the model.

Does someone have this information?
And, if the allowable power output is higher, then how would that be enabled? .. my guess is with the right driver/software to allow the higher charging standard to be negotiated with the attached smartphone. Which driver/software?

thanks,

 

0
0
Solution
2022-09-29 07:48:12

Re:Maximum power output from each of the various USB ports on the P51 ?

Hello,

According to the PSREF (platform specification) document for the ThinkPad P51 at https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/ThinkPad/ThinkPad_P51/ThinkPad_P51_Spec.PDF, the ThinkPad P51's four (4) USB Type-A ports support USB 3.1 Gen 1, which was been previously known as USB 3.0 before it was re-branded, and has also been labeled as USB SuperSpeed.  Since the USB-IF Forum decided that renaming the specification twice after it had been released and finalized was not enough, earlier this month (September 2022) they renamed it for a third time, and it is now known as USB 5Gbps.

The data signalling rate remains five (5) gigabits per second, and power is delivered at 4.5 Watts (5 VDC @ 900 milliAmperes). 

According to the PSREF, one of these Type-A ports, is "always on", which means it will continue to provide 4.5W of electricity even when the ThinkPad P71 is powered down in order to charge an attached device like a smartphone. 

The USB Type-C port delivers 100W of power following whatever version of the USB-PD protocol was implemented, as @Jwes_Lenovo noted. 

The ThinkPad P71's USB Type-C port also supports the Thunderbolt 3 protocol, which means it should be capable of supplying 15 Watts to other Thunderbolt 3 devices (that is, devices which solely implement Thunderbolt protocol and not any of the USB protocols at all).  That's mostly for pro digital and audio gear, where Thunderbolt has taken the place of FireWire (IEEE-1394) interfaces.

 

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky


I am a volunteer and neither a Lenovo nor a Microsoft employee.

11e Gen 5 (20LQ) • L380 Yoga • Legion 5-17ACH6 (8K20) • P15 Gen 2 • P16 Gen 2 • P50 (20EN) • P51s • P72 (20MB) • P43s • S230u (3347-4HU) • T23 (2648-LU7) • T42 (2378-R4U) • T43p (2678-H7U) • T61p (6459-CTO) • T480 (20L5) • T480s (20L7) • W510 (4318-CTO) • W530 (2441-4R3) • X1 Fold Gen 1 (20RK) • X100e (3508-CTO) • X120e (0596-CTO) • X220 (4286-CTO) • X250 (20CM) • X1e Gen 3 • X1 Yoga Gen 5 • X12 Gen 1 • X13 Gen 1 • Yoga 370
1
1

Was this solution helpful?

Your feedback helps us improve!
Replies

Maximum power output from each of the various USB ports on the P51 ?

2022-09-21 13:22:16

Re:Maximum power output from each of the various USB ports on the P51 ?

Hello Jay_Libove!


Greetings!


The maximum power output for USB-C is 100 Watts. We recommend using the recommended cable for this machine and you can find the list here: https://smartfind.lenovo.com/accessories/#/search?categoryL1Name=Cables%20%26%20Adapters&categoryL2Names&countryAndRegion=US&keyword=&language=en-us&pageIndex=1&pageSize=40&query=20hh&systemId=

 


Regards

 


Jwes_Lenovo

   
We're here to help troubleshoot and investigate your issue, but know that you can always open a warranty service case here.
Get 10% Discount on Warranty & Services Upgrades Now!
Find original parts and upgrades on the Parts Lookup site.
Batteries, AC Adapters, Memory, Storage, Displays, Cables and much more.

Did someone help you today? Press the thumbs-up icon below to thank them!
If you find a post helpful and it answers your question, please click the "Accept Solution" button!

0
0
2022-09-21 15:46:29

Re:Maximum power output from each of the various USB ports on the P51 ?

That reply completely misunderstands my question.

I asked about the power OUTPUT of each of the different USB ports on the P51, not about the USB standard nor USB power supplies and inputs to the P51

0
0
Solution
2022-09-29 07:48:12

Re:Maximum power output from each of the various USB ports on the P51 ?

Hello,

According to the PSREF (platform specification) document for the ThinkPad P51 at https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/ThinkPad/ThinkPad_P51/ThinkPad_P51_Spec.PDF, the ThinkPad P51's four (4) USB Type-A ports support USB 3.1 Gen 1, which was been previously known as USB 3.0 before it was re-branded, and has also been labeled as USB SuperSpeed.  Since the USB-IF Forum decided that renaming the specification twice after it had been released and finalized was not enough, earlier this month (September 2022) they renamed it for a third time, and it is now known as USB 5Gbps.

The data signalling rate remains five (5) gigabits per second, and power is delivered at 4.5 Watts (5 VDC @ 900 milliAmperes). 

According to the PSREF, one of these Type-A ports, is "always on", which means it will continue to provide 4.5W of electricity even when the ThinkPad P71 is powered down in order to charge an attached device like a smartphone. 

The USB Type-C port delivers 100W of power following whatever version of the USB-PD protocol was implemented, as @Jwes_Lenovo noted. 

The ThinkPad P71's USB Type-C port also supports the Thunderbolt 3 protocol, which means it should be capable of supplying 15 Watts to other Thunderbolt 3 devices (that is, devices which solely implement Thunderbolt protocol and not any of the USB protocols at all).  That's mostly for pro digital and audio gear, where Thunderbolt has taken the place of FireWire (IEEE-1394) interfaces.

 

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky


I am a volunteer and neither a Lenovo nor a Microsoft employee.

11e Gen 5 (20LQ) • L380 Yoga • Legion 5-17ACH6 (8K20) • P15 Gen 2 • P16 Gen 2 • P50 (20EN) • P51s • P72 (20MB) • P43s • S230u (3347-4HU) • T23 (2648-LU7) • T42 (2378-R4U) • T43p (2678-H7U) • T61p (6459-CTO) • T480 (20L5) • T480s (20L7) • W510 (4318-CTO) • W530 (2441-4R3) • X1 Fold Gen 1 (20RK) • X100e (3508-CTO) • X120e (0596-CTO) • X220 (4286-CTO) • X250 (20CM) • X1e Gen 3 • X1 Yoga Gen 5 • X12 Gen 1 • X13 Gen 1 • Yoga 370
1
1

Was this solution helpful?

Your feedback helps us improve!
2022-09-29 09:51:56

Re:Maximum power output from each of the various USB ports on the P51 ?

Thank you goretsky.

So, no, the USB-A - shaped-ports will not adequately charge a modern, high-power smartphone; only the -C port.

0
0
2022-09-29 10:17:28

Re:Maximum power output from each of the various USB ports on the P51 ?

Hello,

I do not have a Google Pixel phone, but I do have models from other vendors with USB-C connectors (Motorola, Samsung, Huawei, etc.) and have had no problems charging over a Type-A port. 

Now, it is correct that they do not charge as fast as they would using a higher wattage connection, but they also do not generate as much heat, either, which means the overall usable life of the battery should be preserved.  Given that my typical use case here would be to charge at the end of my day, the amount of time required to fully charge is less of an issue, since I will be asleep for longer than that amount of time.

 

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky


I am a volunteer and neither a Lenovo nor a Microsoft employee.

11e Gen 5 (20LQ) • L380 Yoga • Legion 5-17ACH6 (8K20) • P15 Gen 2 • P16 Gen 2 • P50 (20EN) • P51s • P72 (20MB) • P43s • S230u (3347-4HU) • T23 (2648-LU7) • T42 (2378-R4U) • T43p (2678-H7U) • T61p (6459-CTO) • T480 (20L5) • T480s (20L7) • W510 (4318-CTO) • W530 (2441-4R3) • X1 Fold Gen 1 (20RK) • X100e (3508-CTO) • X120e (0596-CTO) • X220 (4286-CTO) • X250 (20CM) • X1e Gen 3 • X1 Yoga Gen 5 • X12 Gen 1 • X13 Gen 1 • Yoga 370
1
1

Identify Your Device

OR

Don't want to provide your serial number? You can also Browse by product

Choose Genuine Lenovo Parts for Your Machine!

Find your Device

Need to repair your out-of-warranty machine?

Get help here

Blog
Community Guidelines
Top Tags