A reversible receptacle for receiving a USB plug, including a first set of four electrical contact regions and a second set of four electrical contact regions, the contact regions configured such that in a first coupling orientation of the plug with the reversible receptacle, only the first set of electrical contact regions is mechanically connected with the contacts of the plug and in a second coupling orientation of the plug with the reversible receptacle, only the second set of electrical contact regions is mechanically connected with the contacts of the plug. Also provided are corresponding reversible USB appliances based upon the aforementioned reversible receptacles.