You're Probably Using the WRONG USB Charging Cable

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▼ Time Stamps: ▼
0:00 - Intro
0:28 - Charging Hardware Factors
1:05 - Types of USB Charging
2:26 - A Good Thing
4:15 - The Actual Charging Ratings
5:32 - Higher Wattage Ratings
7:01 - Are The Wrong Cables Dangerous?
9:21 - Main Points
9:53 - How Do Cables Identify Themselves
10:59 - How Ratings Are Actually Written
13:13 - Other Random Tables

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[winterburden]

I'm definitely using the wrong cable, but the cable I have is better than not charging at all.

[bobclarke]

I like how the U in USB has been completely forgotten at this stage.

[grayrabbit]

Forgot to mention: Slow-charging your devices will help the batteries last longer. It's nice to recharge your phone quickly at the airport between flights, BUT, if you've got time, slow charging is definitely the way to go. Slow charging also tends to be more energy-efficient as well.

[MsUltrafox]

For a few dollars, you can also buy an OTG power measuring device that connects between the device and the cable.
I have them for basic USB and for USB-C.
But in reality, unless you have a very power-hungry laptop that needs to charge while you are working on it you don't really need that super high-power charger.

[AL_O]

Actually there are USB-A to C cables capable of power delivery, although they might not be officially supported, I know Xiaomi uses them for their phones even up to 120W, and I'm charging my laptop with one right now so it is actual USB power delivery and not Qualcom QC

apparently they are using pin 7 from the USB 3.0 spec (originally meant as a ground) to run the power-delivery signal on the USB-A side, and that works I guess

[siberx]

The simplified version is that for anything short of a laptop, any properly compliant C to C cable hooked up to a USB PD supply that meets/exceeds the device's ratings will get you all the power you need, and it's worth using C to C instead of A to C cables for any device that can charge at about 15W or better. It's also generally safe (with very few exceptions) to plug anything USB into anything else USB without risking damage, it just might not work or might charge slower than it could. For all the faults of the USB-IF, they at least got that part largely right.

All the new high wattage modes will be more interesting/important over the next few years as companies develop and release higher power devices that could never previously be powered by USB (where's my USB C powered bar fridge or room lighting?), but it will take some time before cables and power supplies capable of feeding those devices are readily available.

[hughwolfe]

Thanks for consolidating all of this information into one video. Had no idea there were so many differences, guess that's why I'm not an electronics geek. My wife and I have an assortment of older cables with a few that absolutely refuse to cooperate at times, those then get tossed so there is attrition of the old ones eventually...
Decided to subscribe and see if I can learn a bit more.

[Bularistano]

The 15W A to C limit is not always true. My old OnePlus 3 charges with 20W and the charger is with a type A. And ofc it does not use any power standard, so thats that I guess. BUT.. i guess the cable supports the power.

[VincentBounce]

Impossible to find an effective rating of 40Gb/s with 240W in one unique USB-C to USB-C cable for now.
According to both Apple & Belkin & Ugreen offers, these are the top USB-C to USB-C cables currently available:
- Max speed: 40Gb/s with max 100W [specs of Thunderbolt 4 are max 100W, and they plan 240W for Thunderbolt 5]
- Max power: 480Mb/s with max 240W [USB2 speed]

[DaveScottAggie]

I am glad somebody decided to cover this topic.

[jean-mariefrancis]

I literally just bought a Ugreen powerbank yesterday and I was wondering why it's charging very slowly. Guess I'll have to get a USB-C cable. You saved me once again, ThioJoe. 🐐

[snowdaysrule]

On Samsung with ADB you can view a ton of battery info like cycles, voltage, current, etc. by reading the sysfs entries under Alternatively you could also check the logcat during charging for anything battery related with something like "logcat | grep battery"

[nicolascrespo]

Just found your channel, amazing content! Honest, and straightforward.

[theexaustedslime]

The really need to require manufacturers label their products and go after people who dont. It's so anticonsumer to not have some kind of indication. SD card specs might be a mess, but you can at least figure out what the rating is without buying a tester.

[HarpaxA]

@12:42 Not really, usually Voltage over 600 volts need more specialised cable, namely the PVC insulation is getting thicker.

Even good screwdriver that used for electricity has different voltage marking on them.

[dashjunkie]

had to stop watching for few mins to let u kno how much i appreciate the informative & educational content! I'm actually binge- watching all your videos! I have better understanding now than i ever had! I spent >1 yr watching other channels & searching on google for information that you shared & explained in exactly the way i needed to hear it! So thankful to you because i feel i've learned more from you in the past 2 days than an entire year from all the others! Plz kno how appreciative I am! A SUPER THANK YOU!

[sjwaame]

best complete explanation, great job! keep up the work

[fizixx]

Happy Thanksgiving Joe, thanks for all the vids

[cyrilio]

You should become an ambassador for the USB consortium. Love all the USB explainer videos you do!

[Arek_R.]

I would recommend to get hold of a usbc to usbc power analyser (mine is TC66), it basically will go in-between and tell you how much juice is flowing and whether it's what you're expecting.