USB-C is about to go from 100W to 240W, enough to power beefier laptops

Post by dotancohen » Thu, May 27, 2021, 9:55 AM UTC

vokep wrote: post #302

fouric wrote: post #291

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> it's difficult to determine compatibility without bricking the device This is the problem! This is what everybody talking about the specs doesn't get - it's difficult to (1) tell which spec a device claims to support and (2) verify that it actually supports it (see: a lot of cheap devices on Amazon) and also (3) in real life many devices do not support the specs (i.e. this isn't a theoretical problem).

Unless I'm mistaken, there is a license to call a port a USB port, though goods are commonly sold without that. In theory the solution is simple: only buy products that have the actual USB logo and ensure certification, and the USB-IF should retain the right to significantly fine any manufacturer advertising being to spec and using the logo who is in fact not. In practice, people aren't going to stop buying nintendo…

Post by baybal2 » Thu, May 27, 2021, 10:07 AM UTC

megous wrote: post #354

OnlyOneCannolo wrote: post #97

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Is it really undetectable? A smarter USB PD controller and maybe some extra sensors should be able to mostly avoid that problem, no?

Ok, so you detect voltage drop of say 0.4V@5A on the phone end, so slightly out of spec. How do you decide whether it's a slightly underspecced cable (quite common) and 2W being radiated as heat from a 1m long cable (which is not really an issue), or great cable but high contact resistance (where 2W are concentrated into a tiny space that can't cool it)?

Post by ChuckNorris89 » Thu, May 27, 2021, 10:33 AM UTC

baybal2 wrote: post #439

mike_d wrote: post #433

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https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/7j3k38/anker_usbc_... https://wccftech.com/macbook-survives-disables-all-usb-ports... Researchers even developed an exploit for some USB-C fast chargers that forces it to deliver max power and try to catch the connected device on fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es2SqubYSfo

The problem is the gazillion of proprietary fast charging standards. Some of them were designed for chargers with attached cable, and not disconnectable one. Many charger ICs emulate the fast charging signalling to trick phones into charging faster, but they of course have no way to check if wiring is ok on micro-usb. So you can end up with 5A-10A going over flimsy wires/contact pads. Or if they use type-c, they can…

Post by selfhoster11 » Thu, May 27, 2021, 11:21 AM UTC

bin_bash wrote: post #63

selfhoster11 wrote: post #36

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Then other power-hungry device categories will become the beneficiaries of this. External GPUs with a high power draw, for instance.

don't external GPUs have their own power?

Post by ChuckNorris89 » Thu, May 27, 2021, 11:42 AM UTC

baybal2 wrote: post #458

ChuckNorris89 wrote: post #455

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Or in case of VOOC, they don't check if the cable is an actual VOOC cable, which goes over 5A Actually they do. My OnePlus wich uses the same VOOC tech will not charge at full power with its fast charger if I don't use the cable from the box.

Do you use A to C cable, or C to C? VooC A to C has a fifth pin mapped to CC pin on C side. Rogue VooC C to C chargers just send VooC signalling directly on CC.