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When was the last time you've seen gold plated USB cables? Gold plating contacts may have been necessary with analog back in the day, but today's digital equip

When was the last time you've seen gold plated USB cables? Gold plating contacts may have been necessary with analog back in the day, but today's digital equipment is much more reliable thanks to error checking / correcting protocols, and other improvements. Besides, gold contacts wear out faster.

DanBC 7y ago
Here's a basic brand and a respected brand both using gold plating. Amazon basics: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Male-B-Male-Cable-Feet/dp/B00NH13DV2 https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Male-B-Male-Cable-Feet... Anker: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-2-Pack-Nylon-Braided-Tangle-Free/dp/B01DEMTOQ6 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-2-Pack-Nylon-Braided-Tangle-F...
- cheerlessbog 7y ago
  Perhaps for non technical reasons.
- bouncycastle 7y ago
  First time I see this, thanks! Unnecessary if you ask me... It's more like jewellery rather than a cable :-) Zinc / aluminium is probably a better combination for USB, as it's more durable.
  - sockpuppet999 7y ago
    Other metals like the ones you named have an oxidation problem over time. Gold does not have that problem and contacts will wear thru thier plating by mechanical usage . Gold does not oxidize in the normal earth atmosphere. That's why you can see ancient gold in for instance : Egyptian relics that still shine - no oxidation.. It's nearly a perfect electrical conductor. There are better ( for the pedantic chemists here) But gold plated connectors are used by industry for reliability
    - bouncycastle 7y ago
      I doubt we will be using USB 3.0 cables 5000 years later. Lol!
smileypete 7y ago
Tons on ebay (though their search is somewhat broken) https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?&_nkw=awg%20%22gold%22%20usb https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?&_nkw=awg%20%22gold%22%20u... I guess they'd hold up better in a damp environment.
- Tempest1981 7y ago
  This reminded me of gold leaf used for cooking: https://www.ebay.com/b/Gold-Leaf/41369/bn_55209815 https://www.ebay.com/b/Gold-Leaf/41369/bn_55209815 I bought 2 sheets ($0.99) out of curiosity. They are so thin and fragile that they ball-up with the slightest "breeze".

DanBC 7y ago

Here's a basic brand and a respected brand both using gold plating. Amazon basics: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Male-B-Male-Cable-Feet/dp/B00NH13DV2 https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Male-B-Male-Cable-Feet... Anker: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-2-Pack-Nylon-Braided-Tangle-Free/dp/B01DEMTOQ6 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-2-Pack-Nylon-Braided-Tangle-F...

cheerlessbog 7y ago
Perhaps for non technical reasons.
bouncycastle 7y ago
First time I see this, thanks! Unnecessary if you ask me... It's more like jewellery rather than a cable :-) Zinc / aluminium is probably a better combination for USB, as it's more durable.
- sockpuppet999 7y ago
  Other metals like the ones you named have an oxidation problem over time. Gold does not have that problem and contacts will wear thru thier plating by mechanical usage . Gold does not oxidize in the normal earth atmosphere. That's why you can see ancient gold in for instance : Egyptian relics that still shine - no oxidation.. It's nearly a perfect electrical conductor. There are better ( for the pedantic chemists here) But gold plated connectors are used by industry for reliability
  - bouncycastle 7y ago
    I doubt we will be using USB 3.0 cables 5000 years later. Lol!

smileypete 7y ago

Tons on ebay (though their search is somewhat broken) https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?&_nkw=awg%20%22gold%22%20usb https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?&_nkw=awg%20%22gold%22%20u... I guess they'd hold up better in a damp environment.

Tempest1981 7y ago
This reminded me of gold leaf used for cooking: https://www.ebay.com/b/Gold-Leaf/41369/bn_55209815 https://www.ebay.com/b/Gold-Leaf/41369/bn_55209815 I bought 2 sheets ($0.99) out of curiosity. They are so thin and fragile that they ball-up with the slightest "breeze".