Common charging cable for electronic devices.

[ProfJohnL]

I am more than capable of changing most connection types, and my comment wasn't an admission of incapability it's just the hassle.

 

[Tux]

Quite a while back the EU decided that a common charging cable design was required from December 2024. This was to reduce electrical waste. Britain decided at the time not to follow suit but is now going into a consultation mode.

Isn’t this closing the stable door when the horse has bolted as three devices bought since June have either included a USB-C cable, or required us to provide one. I dare say there’s existing stock that will have older type charging cables but it’s clear that the majority in future will be USB-C. I like the USB-C as just like Apple connectors it can be inserted any way and even in semi gloom it’s easy to insert it.

Time to wake up and smell the coffee methinks.

Oh how my heart sinks when I buy something and discover it has a micro USB connection.

 

[Tux]

I'm not sure if it was this or another forum where I mentioned it but USB A is crp. USB A has become 'the' standard if only defacto. Working in IT I have only seen strong adoption of USB C on Macs and Dell laptops. No current Mac has USB A ports and yet Mac users have survived. I use a variety of of USB A devices on my Macbook Air either through my docking station or adaptor.

I'd like to see USB A eliminated, it's c**p. Also I would like to see a new standard DC connection for higher current DC devices in cars, caravans and motorhomes. Cigarette lighter plugs were only ever a stop gap and since hardly anyone smokes these days should be replaced with a better standard,

And yes, arn't my Friday nights / Saturday mornings great sat up at the wee hours pondering DC connections. Maybe I should have got married,

 

[Hutch]

I'm not sure if it was this or another forum where I mentioned it but USB A is crp. USB A has become 'the' standard if only defacto. Working in IT I have only seen strong adoption of USB C on Macs and Dell laptops. No current Mac has USB A ports and yet Mac users have survived. I use a variety of of USB A devices on my Macbook Air either through my docking station or adaptor.

I'd like to see USB A eliminated, it's c**p. Also I would like to see a new standard DC connection for higher current DC devices in cars, caravans and motorhomes. Cigarette lighter plugs were only ever a stop gap and since hardly anyone smokes these days should be replaced with a better standard,

And yes, arn't my Friday nights / Saturday mornings great sat up at the wee hours pondering DC connections. Maybe I should have got married,

I remember, one Christmas getting a USB powered Toaster, It turned out to be a very well done hoax, a box just filled with cardboard. It did have me thinking about it before opening the box.

 

[JTQ]

Despite personally held opinions about the merits of all these various connectors, when it comes to selecting an International common standard for all to adopt, then logically it has to be that, not one held with proprietary rights of a particular maker.

 

[JTQ]

Possibly of interest is THIS VENDER'S offerings for USB A-C converters of both directions, claiming both data transfer & a massive 10A charging rating?

[NOTE: I have absolutely no experience of them or their products so this is no recommendation just an observation but note they have a reasonable "positive" rating.]

 

[otherclive]

Possibly of interest is THIS VENDER'S offerings for USB A-C converters of both directions, claiming both data transfer & a massive 10A charging rating?

[NOTE: I have absolutely no experience of them or their products so this is no recommendation just an observation but note they have a reasonable "positive" rating.]

There are similar looking ones at £1 or 3 for £3.99. Not sure I’d use one from an unknown supplier, I tend to go for OEM, Anker or Belkin in the main.

 

[JTQ]

There are similar looking ones at £1 or 3 for £3.99. Not sure I’d use one from an unknown supplier, I tend to go for OEM, Anker or Belkin in the main.

Probably wise, mine are Samsung a choice motivated by similar thinking, but noting the vender identified has "earnt" a 98% positive rating felt gives us a level of confidence in the items they offer.

In a similar vein I have and am very satisfied with the unbranded USB cables I have sourced from carefully selected eBay venders, but buy on more than the price.

 

[Sam Vimes]

Possibly of interest is THIS VENDER'S offerings for USB A-C converters of both directions, claiming both data transfer & a massive 10A charging rating?

[NOTE: I have absolutely no experience of them or their products so this is no recommendation just an observation but note they have a reasonable "positive" rating.]

As far as I'm aware the USB spec has a maximum current rating of 5Amps. Maybe 10A is the part numer

 

[RogerL]

As far as I'm aware the USB spec has a maximum current rating of 5Amps. Maybe 10A is the part numer

Under specification it claims to handle 10 amps current and up to 240 watts power - perhaps arithmetic is taught differently in China!

 

[otherclive]

As far as I'm aware the USB spec has a maximum current rating of 5Amps. Maybe 10A is the part numer

I thought at 240w it could power a motor mover 😱

 

[Sam Vimes]

I believe the Abacus in China only uses 4 beads.

USB devices can require upto 240W and like this item you'll see cables rated the same. In reality the device being charged may present a load of 240W but the charger is run at 48V and 5A.

 

[Jcloughie]

Everything you may ever want to know is here. Just 369 pages. I think from this that 3 amp is the maximum.

It is all beyond my comprehension, I just thought it was a connecting wire.

John

 

[Sam Vimes]

Thanks John, I'd already got a copy of that.

Basic USB 3 has a 3A limited but the USB PD (Power Delivery), extension to the spec if you like, allows for 5A. Not all cables, chargers and devices support USB PD.

USB PD is an open source specification and can be implemented in many different devices. Another charging spec on top of USB is QC 3.0 which is a Qualcomm proprietary standard and anyone implementing it has to pay a license.

Typically Apple devices can be USB PD capable, whereas Samsung - well mine anyway - support QC 3.0

To be honest I'm never in that much of a hurry to charge my devices so I'll use whatever comes to hand first.

 

[JTQ]

To be honest I'm never in that much of a hurry to charge my devices so I'll use whatever comes to hand first.

Rightly or wrongly in the believe it is better for Lithium batteries, I deliberately opt to charge most of our USB charged devices, with a low current USB outlet. Like Sam, I don't have a need to fast charge, well not yet.

My phone's 120 Watt charger has stayed in the box never having been used.
For bike lights, buds etc I use a 1 Amp charger as these have small capacity batteries

An exception is my HP ENVY, a USB "C" powered device which only lights up its "charging" LED if used with the supplied charger. The LED not illuminating I assume suggests the charging rate is not adequate.