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If you want one port that can charge multiple devices of varying needs safely, you need smarter cables. Sounds like a reasonable tradeoff. Otherwise every sin

If you want one port that can charge multiple devices of varying needs safely, you need smarter cables. Sounds like a reasonable tradeoff. Otherwise every single cable would have to be built to handle the highest possible power delivery rate (100W for USB-C).

lostlogin 7y ago
Looking at that plug and how chunky the holes are for ac power, when access is limited and you can’t see, shoving a usb c plug into the ac hole is going to happen often.
- zamadatix 7y ago
  The long vertical slot you could come in contact with is neutral. The bottom peg is ground. The top right vertical strip is hot but it also has recessed connectors and is smaller than the usb c connector. I'd be impressed if you could cause a short on purpose with significant force let alone fumbling in the dark.
- Johnny555 7y ago
  You'd have to shove awfully hard -- hard enough to crumple the metal shell of the USB connector, since it's wider than the opening in 120VAC socket. (I just tried it with a spare electrical outlet, and even with a fairly hard push and wiggling it around, I couldn't make it fit)
  - lostlogin 7y ago
    Yikes and thanks - I’m in New Zealand and our plugs are way smaller so you couldn’t make that mistake here, but it’s good to know the terminals are far enough in that it’s safe. I’ve seen some surprising things people have forced into the wrong port. USB into Ethernet etc.
Spooky23 7y ago
The problem lies in that you're pushing the problem into the hands of anonymous cable makers and clueless end users. It's really difficult to stick a standard plug into a 30 amp socket. It's really easy to buy some substandard USB-C cable that lies about it's capability.
- Johnny555 7y ago
  The same issue would exist with any universal in-wall DC power supply -- if consumers buy a substandard product, it can destroy their device. Unless you want separate ports different voltage/power output then the user has to buy separate cables for each one.

lostlogin 7y ago

Looking at that plug and how chunky the holes are for ac power, when access is limited and you can’t see, shoving a usb c plug into the ac hole is going to happen often.

zamadatix 7y ago
The long vertical slot you could come in contact with is neutral. The bottom peg is ground. The top right vertical strip is hot but it also has recessed connectors and is smaller than the usb c connector. I'd be impressed if you could cause a short on purpose with significant force let alone fumbling in the dark.
Johnny555 7y ago
You'd have to shove awfully hard -- hard enough to crumple the metal shell of the USB connector, since it's wider than the opening in 120VAC socket. (I just tried it with a spare electrical outlet, and even with a fairly hard push and wiggling it around, I couldn't make it fit)
- lostlogin 7y ago
  Yikes and thanks - I’m in New Zealand and our plugs are way smaller so you couldn’t make that mistake here, but it’s good to know the terminals are far enough in that it’s safe. I’ve seen some surprising things people have forced into the wrong port. USB into Ethernet etc.

Spooky23 7y ago

The problem lies in that you're pushing the problem into the hands of anonymous cable makers and clueless end users. It's really difficult to stick a standard plug into a 30 amp socket. It's really easy to buy some substandard USB-C cable that lies about it's capability.

Johnny555 7y ago
The same issue would exist with any universal in-wall DC power supply -- if consumers buy a substandard product, it can destroy their device. Unless you want separate ports different voltage/power output then the user has to buy separate cables for each one.