USB Type C cables and adapters

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Giggs

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#204809 18-Oct-2016 15:35

I have been looking at USB Type C cables and Micro USB to Type C adapters. I am particularly keen on the latter as I have several micro USB cables around the house. However I have read that there were (are?) issues with some cables or adapters not being up to spec.

As I do not wish to fry my next phone can anyone recommend an adapter or cable that works for them?

Cheers

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#1652982 18-Oct-2016 15:39

You could look on Amazon for ones Benson Leung has rated.

Google his name, lots of tech sites have stories on him and the cables he has tested.

Zeon

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#1653009 18-Oct-2016 15:42

I wonder if a NZ retailer sold a dodgy type-C cable and it fried someone's phone whether this would be misrepresentation under the fair trading act as it doesn't meet the specification of type-c?

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Giggs

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1653037 18-Oct-2016 16:05

Zeon:

I wonder if a NZ retailer sold a dodgy type-C cable and it fried someone's phone whether this would be misrepresentation under the fair trading act as it doesn't meet the specification of type-c?

It would breach the Consumer Guarantees Act, guarantee of acceptable quality. You can sue for reasonably foreseeable damage where that guarantee is breached. I'd say damage to a device through a faulty adapter would be reasonably foreseeable.

Giggs

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1653038 18-Oct-2016 16:06

scottjpalmer: You could look on Amazon for ones Benson Leung has rated.

Google his name, lots of tech sites have stories on him and the cables he has tested.

Thanks I did see that but was hoping to avoid having to import something if I can get it here.

richms

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#1653085 18-Oct-2016 17:52

If you are charging from a 5v source, it is usually the source that is affected by dodgey adapters signalling to the tablet/laptop that it can pull way more current.

USB chargers are supposed to gracefully limit current to the amount they can supply, but apple ones never had that feature since they told the phone how much to take, so a USB C cable with the resistor in it to signal a high current charger, on a crappy charger designed for apple devices may cook it.

Also PC ports _should_ have overcurrent protection to stop any damage happening, but often that is done with a single polyfuse for a group of ports, so 3A thru 1 port is quite doable and may cook up things.

The problems with cooked devices have been miswired cables that put voltage in the wrong way around. I would suggest getting a chargerdoctor type device if that really worries you, or try charging somethign that doesnt matter first. Not many things have a C port still tho.

Richard rich.ms

MurrayM

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#1653358 19-Oct-2016 10:28

Giggs:

I have been looking at USB Type C cables and Micro USB to Type C adapters. I am particularly keen on the latter as I have several micro USB cables around the house. However I have read that there were (are?) issues with some cables or adapters not being up to spec.

As I do not wish to fry my next phone can anyone recommend an adapter or cable that works for them?

Ugh! Now I find out that there can be problems with USB Type C cables...

I recently purchased a Nexus 5X and of course it's Type C. Since I need a cable for the car, battery pack, in the office, etc I jumped on AliExpress and found some cables and adapters (all about $1.50 or so). So I ordered a couple of cables and adapters and they should be arriving any day now.

Do I need to test them somehow before using them? If so, how?

beddy

93 posts

Master Geek

#1654536 19-Oct-2016 15:43

There's an app called CheckR which is supposed to measure whether the cable is safe to use.

It's not on the Google Play Store, but you can download and install it.

You can also use Ampere to check that the max usb current is less than 3000mA.

I haven't tested any myself yet, as I'm waiting for some cables to arrive.

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nzkiwiman

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#1654547 19-Oct-2016 15:56

I purchased some USB-A to USB-C cables on Trademe, along with some Micro USB-B to USB-C adaptors. (Also purchased an Samsung Adaptor)

The adaptors when used with my Anker Micro USB cables reduce the charging on my Nexus 5X from "Charging" to "Charging Slowly", compared to the Samsung adaptor that is always "Charging" (in comparison, the official charger "Charges Rapidly"

I have some Anker cables on the way, as I have yet to find a source of decent USB-C to USB-C for the official power adaptor (need at least 1.5m)

beddy

93 posts

Master Geek

#1654584 19-Oct-2016 17:53

beddy:

There's an app called CheckR which is supposed to measure whether the cable is safe to use.

It's not on the Google Play Store, but you can download and install it.

You can also use Ampere to check that the max usb current is less than 3000mA.

I haven't tested any myself yet, as I'm waiting for some cables to arrive.

Further to this, I got hold of a cable to test.

CheckR said it failed, but Ampere said it was well under the limit.

I also tried Current Monitor, and the results agreed with what Ampere was telling me.

The author of CheckR removed it from Google Play due to issues with the accuracy.

Yabanize

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#1654592 19-Oct-2016 18:15

One brand of USB cables I trust from Aliexpress is Ugreen. They also have MFI Lightning cables, and reversible Micro-B cables

d3Xt3r

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#1654810 19-Oct-2016 22:42

I've been using CableCreation's microUSB to Type-C adapters for a while now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015H6YUHK/

These have the 56kohm resistor and have been approved by Benson Leung. Been using them for about three months now with a Nextbit Robin, Nexus 6P and OnePlus 3 with no issues whatsoever. Mind you, I do use high-quality microUSB cables in the first place (OEM provided or from reputed brands), so YMMV if you use some cheap random brand cable purchased from the mall/AliExpress/Trade Me...

Dratsab

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#1654829 19-Oct-2016 23:37

Ive got one of these for my Nexus 6P - working well off a standard USB charger. Wouldn't be keen try it from a PC though!

Giggs

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1654889 20-Oct-2016 08:30

I found this pack on Clove's website https://www.clove.co.uk/olixar-multi-length-charge-sync-usb-type-c-to-type-a-cables

and they are certified as compliant. Delivery would be a lot quicker than Ali Express as well.

mattyjnz

133 posts

Master Geek

#1654895 20-Oct-2016 08:38

I came across this website the other day - https://usbccompliant.com/

MurrayM

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#1654936 20-Oct-2016 09:59

So when my cheap $2 cables and adapters arrive from AliExpress, how do I test them to make sure they're safe to use on my Nexus 5X? I assume the safest way is some sort of test that doesn't involve plugging them into my phone?

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