A reversible receptacle for coupling with a USB A-type standard connector, 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 reversible receptacle with the standard plug, only the first set of electrical contact regions is mechanically connected with the contacts of the standard plug and in a second coupling orientation of the reversible receptacle with the standard plug, only the second set of electrical contact regions is mechanically connected with the contacts of the standard plug. Also provided are corresponding reversible USB appliances based upon the aforementioned reversible receptacles.