USB Outlet Symbol

The USB Outlet schematic symbol. Standard-specific details are listed below where available.

Definition: The USB Outlet symbol represents a mains wall receptacle that incorporates one or more built-in USB charging ports alongside (or in place of) standard AC sockets, shown on residential wiring diagrams with two terminals: Hot and Neutral, supplying 120/230 V AC to the AC socket and a 5 V DC USB output via an internal power adapter.

Also known as: USB wall outlet, USB receptacle, USB charging outlet, USB power outlet, combination USB/AC outlet, USB wall charger receptacle.

What the USB Outlet symbol means

The USB Outlet symbol represents a combination electrical receptacle that provides both standard AC mains voltage sockets and USB-A or USB-C charging ports in a single wall-plate unit. The device contains a built-in USB charger circuit that converts the mains supply (120 V AC in North America, 230 V AC in IEC regions) to 5 V DC for charging smartphones, tablets, and other USB-powered devices without requiring a separate plug-in USB adapter.

In residential and commercial electrical wiring diagrams, the USB outlet symbol marks the location of this combined device on a branch circuit, showing that the outlet serves dual purposes — mains power for appliances and direct USB charging. The symbol appears on floor plans and wiring diagrams in the same position as a standard duplex outlet, usually with a label noting the USB port configuration (e.g. 'USB Type-A + A', 'USB-C 30 W', or 'USB-C + A').

How to identify the USB Outlet symbol

The USB Outlet symbol closely resembles a standard duplex outlet symbol — typically two parallel vertical slots with a curved ground slot below, representing the AC receptacle face — but adds a small 'USB' label or rectangular USB port representation on or beside the symbol. On simplified wiring diagrams the symbol may be a rectangle labelled 'USB Outlet' or 'USB Charger Outlet' with Hot and Neutral wire terminals indicated. Some diagramming tools use a standard outlet circle with a 'USB' subscript to distinguish it from a plain outlet.

Function and usage boundary

A USB outlet functions as a standard AC wall receptacle for normal appliance plugs while also providing direct USB charging through one or more USB ports built into the outlet body. The internal USB charger circuitry — a compact switch-mode power supply — rectifies and converts the 120/230 V AC input to regulated 5 V DC (USB 2.0) or higher voltages (USB-C Power Delivery). The Hot and Neutral conductors connect to both the AC socket and the internal USB charger. No additional wiring is needed for the USB function; only the standard two-wire (plus ground) mains circuit is required. Output current per USB-A port is typically 2.1–2.4 A; USB-C ports may provide 18–65 W via Power Delivery.

Standards: IEC vs ANSI

IEC 60617	No dedicated IEC 60617 symbol exists for USB wall outlets. In IEC/European wiring diagrams they are shown as standard socket outlet symbols (IEC 60617-10 lamp and appliance symbols) with 'USB' annotation. IEC 62368-1 covers safety for audio/video and IT equipment including USB charger circuits built into fixtures.
ANSI/IEEE 315	In North America, USB outlets are governed by UL 498 (receptacles) and UL 2089 (vehicle battery chargers — referenced for USB charging standards). NEC Article 406 covers receptacles; Article 210.52 covers dwelling unit receptacle placement. USB outlet symbols on NEC-compliant wiring plans follow the same convention as standard receptacle symbols with a 'USB' annotation.
Key difference	Both IEC and ANSI schematic conventions use a standard outlet symbol with 'USB' annotation for USB outlets — no distinct standardised glyph exists in either IEC 60617 or ANSI Y32.2. Electrical wiring requirements differ: NEC (North America) requires AFCI protection on new installation branch circuits; IEC/BS 7671 requires RCD protection in similar locations.

The displayed SVG is the live editor implementation, not a licensed reproduction or certification of an IEC or IEEE database glyph. Verify the exact official entry and project edition before issuing work.

Logical terminals

Logical ID	Editor terminal name
hot	Hot
neutral	Neutral

Where the USB Outlet symbol is used

Kitchen and bedside residential outlets replacing standard duplex outlets for convenient device charging
Hotel room nightstand outlets providing guests with USB charging without requiring plug adapters
Commercial office USB outlet installations at workstation desks and conference tables
Airport and transit terminal seating area USB charging stations
Hospital patient room bedside outlets with USB ports for patient device charging
Retail and hospitality USB outlet installations for customer convenience charging

Key facts

The USB Outlet symbol represents a combined AC receptacle with built-in USB charging ports, shown on wiring diagrams with Hot and Neutral terminals — no additional circuit wiring is needed for the USB function.
Governed by NEC Article 406 and UL 498 (North America) or IEC 60884-1 / BS 1363 (IEC regions) for the AC receptacle; IEC 62368-1 and USB-IF specifications for the USB charger circuitry.
USB-A ports typically provide 5 V at 2.1–2.4 A (10.5–12 W); USB-C ports with Power Delivery may provide up to 65 W at programmable voltages.
The outlet's internal USB charger is a compact switch-mode supply drawing power from the Hot/Neutral mains connection — no separate low-voltage wiring circuit is required.
NEC 210.12 requires AFCI protection for bedroom and most living area circuits in new North American residential installations; USB outlets on these circuits must be on AFCI-protected breakers.
No dedicated IEC 60617 or ANSI Y32.2 symbol glyph exists; the symbol is a standard outlet icon with a 'USB' label or additional USB port graphic added.
USB outlets can retrofit existing standard outlet boxes (standard 2-gang or single-gang depth); electrical box fill calculations per NEC 314.16 must account for the device's conductor count.
USB-C ports on modern USB outlets support USB Power Delivery (PD) profiles; the outlet must be compatible with the charger's PD protocol (USB PD 2.0 or 3.0) to deliver advertised fast-charge power.

Diagrams that use this symbol

Frequently asked questions

What does the USB outlet symbol look like?

The USB outlet symbol looks like a standard duplex wall outlet symbol — typically two parallel slot shapes with a D-shaped ground slot — with a 'USB' label or small USB port rectangle added to indicate the built-in USB charging function. On simplified wiring diagrams it may be a plain rectangle labelled 'USB Outlet' with Hot and Neutral terminal stubs.

What does the USB outlet symbol mean in a wiring diagram?

The USB outlet symbol means a combination device is installed at that location: it provides a standard AC mains socket for appliance plugs AND one or more USB charging ports that deliver 5 V DC (or higher via USB-C PD) without requiring a separate plug-in charger. Only the standard Hot and Neutral (plus ground) branch circuit wiring is needed.

Do USB outlets need special wiring?

No — USB outlets connect to a standard 15 A or 20 A branch circuit using the same Hot, Neutral, and Ground conductors as a regular duplex outlet. The USB charger function is powered internally from the same Hot/Neutral mains connection. No additional low-voltage wiring is required. AFCI protection may be required by NEC 210.12 depending on the room location.

How much power does a USB outlet provide?

USB-A ports on wall outlets typically provide 5 V at 2.1–2.4 A per port (10.5–12 W), which charges most smartphones at full speed. USB-C ports with Power Delivery capability provide up to 65 W at programmable voltages (5/9/15/20 V), fast-charging compatible laptops and tablets. The total USB output power is printed on the outlet's faceplate label.

Can I replace a standard outlet with a USB outlet?

Yes — USB combination outlets are designed as direct drop-in replacements for standard duplex outlets in the same electrical box. Connect Hot to the brass terminal, Neutral to the silver terminal, and Ground to the green screw — the same as a regular outlet. Confirm the box has sufficient cubic-inch capacity per NEC 314.16 before installation.

What standard covers USB outlet wiring?

In North America: NEC Article 406 (receptacles, cord connectors, and attachment plugs) and UL 498 cover USB outlet installation and safety. In IEC countries: IEC 60884-1 (plugs and socket outlets for household use) and IEC 62368-1 (AV/IT equipment safety) apply. The USB electrical interface follows USB-IF specifications and IEC 62680.

What is the difference between a USB outlet and a standard outlet symbol?

A standard outlet symbol shows AC receptacle slots only. A USB outlet symbol is identical to the standard outlet symbol but includes a 'USB' label or USB port graphic to indicate the built-in charging ports. Both symbols use the same Hot and Neutral wiring connections on the diagram — the USB function adds no additional conductors to the circuit.

Related symbols

Physical breadboard, PCB, and panel mapping

No universal physical profile is published for this symbol yet. Create a versioned custom part from the exact manufacturer dimensions and terminal map before fabrication.

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