eSATAp

eSATAp, short for external SATA with power, is a data interface that combines SATA data signaling with power delivery in a single connector and cable. It is designed to power and transfer data to external SATA storage devices, eliminating the need for a separate power brick for certain drives. The ports resemble standard eSATA connectors but include additional power pins to supply the drive from the host controller.

In operation, an eSATAp port provides both data and power through one cable. Depending on implementation, the power rail is typically 5 volts for 2.5-inch drives, with some configurations also providing 12 volts to support 3.5-inch drives. The host device must be eSATAp-capable, and the external enclosure or drive must have a compatible eSATAp interface. Cables and enclosures are usually marked as eSATAp or Power eSATA.

Introduced in the late 2000s by the SATA-IO ecosystem, eSATAp was marketed as a convenient, bus-powered alternative to powered external drives. However, it did not achieve broad, lasting uptake; many systems migrated to USB 3.x, Thunderbolt, or USB-C with separate power options, and today eSATAp is rarely encountered in new devices.

Compatibility is a key consideration: eSATAp is not universally compatible with standard SATA or USB connectors, and aging hardware may lack eSATAp support. When using eSATAp, users should ensure the host port, cable, and enclosure all advertise eSATAp compatibility. Power capability and cable length can also limit performance and practicality.

See also: SATA, eSATA, USB, USB power delivery.