3 ms·
That does not help with counterfeits. We need an easy way to check the cable instead. Best would be if you can plug both ends into computer and the controller m
by rini17 3y ago
That does not help with counterfeits. We need an easy way to check the cable instead. Best would be if you can plug both ends into computer and the controller measures resistance (charging capability) and data bandwidth.
Or at least some standalone tester, shouldn't be hard to build , dunno about the bandwidth part.
- iudqnolq 3y agoIdeally you'd want to measure actual rather than reported charging capacity. For about $15 you can get a USB load generator and a USB current monitor on AliExpress.
- dist-epoch 3y agoHow do you measure actual without risking fire.
- iudqnolq 3y agoBy being careful? If you were otherwise going to use it without testing you're not any worse off plugging it into a test setup up to your expected load. You can step up the load gradually and keep an eye on it. I would be more worried about the cheap no-brand test gear catching fire. I wouldn't plug my 100W charger into it.
- dist-epoch 3y agoMy point was that if you can't test safely with zero user intervention, adding this capability to computers will just cause fire incidents.
- lazide 3y agoIt wouldn’t cause more fire incidents than just using the cable without testing, right? The tests would only run for a tiny period of time. Most fires come from too much current through too small conductors for too long. It takes time for heat to build up to fire causing levels. The type of time required to actually try to charge something.
- rini17 3y agoResistance is all you need to know, actually testing the max current is not necessary. Or safe, even.
- iudqnolq 3y agoYou're right, I mixed up USB wall bricks which can have issues like the voltage dropping.
- lsaferite 3y agoNot an EE, but I would hope that testing max current _would_ be safe (at least on a legit cable).
- lxgr 3y agoFor the newer USB-PD modes, you also need to know the maximum safe voltage (and related construction features, such as CC pins being a bit shorter to enable a safe/spark-free connection teardown), or you risk arcing.
- HPsquared 3y agoCan't the host and guest measure the voltage on each end anyway? They'd just need to communicate it with each other. This would give a full end-to-end voltage drop measurement (including the plug and socket connections at both ends).
- bentcorner 3y agoWhat I want is something similar to this [1] but also can test cable speeds. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Treedix-Cable-Checker-Charging-Type-C/dp/B0BW8ZC7YD https://www.amazon.com/Treedix-Cable-Checker-Charging-Type-C...
- jrmg 3y agoI’ve been impressed with this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS2ZS813?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS2ZS813?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_... The UI is a little confusing at first, but it seems to work well.
- LorenPechtel 3y agoThank you. That looks like it would test anything other than the 3.0 square plugs--but those you can identify by eyeball.
- archagon 3y agoUSB-C cables are supposed to contain an “e-marker” chip with all the relevant spec information.
- thomastjeffery 3y agoI would rather have a counterfeit cable that is clearly labeled. At least then I can trivially explain the fraud that was committed. Without the labeling, every discussion about a counterfeit must include redundant clarification. Most fraudsters will take that as an opportunity to talk in circles.