3 ms·

What's the expected (specs, and real life) lifespan of these connectors? (How many typical connection/disconnection pairs?) I know that was an issue with earl

What's the expected (specs, and real life) lifespan of these connectors? (How many typical connection/disconnection pairs?) I know that was an issue with earlier generation USB connectors, but I'm skeptical that C has achieved desired robustness. I'm not talking about abuse, just expected use. Though if particular vulnerabilities to abuse or whatnot are showing up, that would be of concern.

MagnumOpus 10y ago
> I know that was an issue with earlier generation USB connectors Standard big USB plugs are supposed to have a design life of 1,500 plugging cycles - though I've never had one die, and never heard of any die. Mini-USB are designed for 5,000 cycles, Micro-USB have a design life of 10,000. Ditto, only ever breaks if you try to bend and snap it off deliberately. USB-C is also supposed to be able to last 10,000 cycles (which ought to be enough as a minimum spec - plugging in thrice a day for a decade).
- xyzzy_plugh 10y ago
  > Ditto, only ever breaks if you try to bend and snap it off deliberately. No way. I've had many Micro-USB cables die because the connector gets bent. Trying to plug in devices in the dark or without being able to tell which way the cable is facing, not to mention the tension put on the connector when your device is in a bag or something, means the design is not very reliable in general. My USB-C cables feel much sturdier, but we'll see.
- PhasmaFelis 10y ago
  I have had so many Micro-USB cables get worse and worse at keeping a connection, until I'm reduced to trying to prop the phone up in a specific way to charge. I suspect the "10,000 cycles" thing is overrated.
- Kihashi 10y ago
  Out of those, Micro-USB is the only one I've seen fail and I've never even heard of the other types failing. Usually, the locking pins bend and it will no longer hold securely. Meanwhile flash drives with USB A plugs last indefinitely.
legulere 10y ago
USB-A is defined for 1500 plug cycles, USB-C like micro USB-B for 10 000. The pins of the cable have to press on the pins of the plug, so the pins of the cable wear out instead of the ones of the plug (sorry if this is a bad description, I am not a native english speaker). Replacing a cable is much cheaper than replacing a device/repairing a plug.
- pasbesoin 10y ago
  So, they are engineers to place more wear on the cable (i.e. male plug) than the port (socket)? Great. I wonder whether (well, suspect, I guess, that) crap cables can negatively affect this, e.g. through inferior materials and manufacture / specifications adherence producing more friction. (Anyway, I do my best to ascertain what are quality cables and then, if necessary, pay a bit more for them.)

MagnumOpus 10y ago

> I know that was an issue with earlier generation USB connectors Standard big USB plugs are supposed to have a design life of 1,500 plugging cycles - though I've never had one die, and never heard of any die. Mini-USB are designed for 5,000 cycles, Micro-USB have a design life of 10,000. Ditto, only ever breaks if you try to bend and snap it off deliberately. USB-C is also supposed to be able to last 10,000 cycles (which ought to be enough as a minimum spec - plugging in thrice a day for a decade).

xyzzy_plugh 10y ago
> Ditto, only ever breaks if you try to bend and snap it off deliberately. No way. I've had many Micro-USB cables die because the connector gets bent. Trying to plug in devices in the dark or without being able to tell which way the cable is facing, not to mention the tension put on the connector when your device is in a bag or something, means the design is not very reliable in general. My USB-C cables feel much sturdier, but we'll see.
PhasmaFelis 10y ago
I have had so many Micro-USB cables get worse and worse at keeping a connection, until I'm reduced to trying to prop the phone up in a specific way to charge. I suspect the "10,000 cycles" thing is overrated.
Kihashi 10y ago
Out of those, Micro-USB is the only one I've seen fail and I've never even heard of the other types failing. Usually, the locking pins bend and it will no longer hold securely. Meanwhile flash drives with USB A plugs last indefinitely.

legulere 10y ago

USB-A is defined for 1500 plug cycles, USB-C like micro USB-B for 10 000. The pins of the cable have to press on the pins of the plug, so the pins of the cable wear out instead of the ones of the plug (sorry if this is a bad description, I am not a native english speaker). Replacing a cable is much cheaper than replacing a device/repairing a plug.

pasbesoin 10y ago
So, they are engineers to place more wear on the cable (i.e. male plug) than the port (socket)? Great. I wonder whether (well, suspect, I guess, that) crap cables can negatively affect this, e.g. through inferior materials and manufacture / specifications adherence producing more friction. (Anyway, I do my best to ascertain what are quality cables and then, if necessary, pay a bit more for them.)