Everybody seems to be saying that you can’t charge Apple devices with normal USB power supplies. You need a special power supply from Apple or approved by Apple. I saw this kind of discussion at slashdot some time ago.
Usually, device makers need to sign a confidentially agreement with Apple if they want to say their charger ‘works with iPhone / iPod,’ and they’re not allowed to talk about how the insides work. I hate when manufacturers do crap like this to keep peripherals locked into a more profitable licensing agreement. Apples tendency toward total control is one of the things i don’t like about them. And many other manufacturers are just as bad. I wish companies would back off and be more open and/or use standard micro USB chargers.
The mysteries of Apple device charging article includes a 7-minute video we explore the mysteries of Apple device charging. The secret of Apple chargers is simple: just few resistors. If you don’t put these secret resistors on the data lines too, you get the dreaded Charging is not supported with this accessory. Those resistors like a way to signal to the iPhone that it can go ahead and “fast charge” by pulling 1A, or “slow charge” by pulling 0.5A. The iPhone needs to do a power negotiation to determine if the port is capable of providing 1000ma of power, because the upper-limit of a standard USB port is 500 mA. They just didn’t tell anyone about how to do that. I get why the resistors were initially added but I’m not understanding why it needs to be a trade secret.
There is nothing to stop them just drawing the 500mA if the right sort of charger is not detected. Refusing to charge at all unless the licensed parts are present is pure market control, nothing else. Here is the resistor configuration for 500 mA charging:
Resistance is Futile. The The mysteries of Apple device charging article demonstrates how anyone can make their own chargers that work with iPhone 4, 3Gs, etc. The pictures on this blog posting are from that article.
Apple devices are not the only one USB charged devices that can have some problems with USB chargers. So here are some resources on USB charging in general.
USB As A Power Source article gives an introduction USB Power Form.
European Commission has reached a voluntary agreement with some of the biggest names in the electronics industry to introduce a common charger for cell phones that fits all models. Information on this USB charging connector is available at USB Approved Class Specification Documents document directory. Read also Battery Charging v1.1 Spec and Adopters Agreement document.
Dealextreme USB charger discussion posting says that USB standard has 4 lines (+5V, ground and +/- data lines). Most USB chargers let the data lines float. Technically, the USB standard says that a USB charger should set the two data lines to specific voltages (~ 2V) to indicate how much power it can provide (I have not verified that from standards yet). The recent iPhones will not charge if the data lines are set incorrectly (i.e. not according to the USB standard).
USB Charging Guide comment: I believe having the data pins connected to each other is in the latest USB specification for charging. I had to interconnect the D+ and D- pins inside my USB AC charger to get it working with my Zune. Perfectly according specs but frustrating enough.
Wikipedia USB article: The USB 1.x and 2.0 specifications provide a 5 V supply on a single wire from which connected USB devices may draw power. The specification provides for no more than 5.25 V and no less than 4.75 V (5 V±5%) between the positive and negative bus power lines. For USB 2.0 the voltage supplied by low-powered hub ports is 4.4 V to 5.25 V.
A unit load is defined as 100 mA in USB 2.0, and was raised to 150 mA in USB 3.0. A maximum of 5 unit loads (500 mA) can be drawn from a port in USB 2.0, which was raised to 6 (900 mA) in USB 3.0.
All devices default as low-power but the device’s software may request high-power as long as the power is available on the providing bus.
In Battery Charging Specification, new powering modes are added to the USB specification. A host or hub Charging Downstream Port can supply a maximum of 1.5 A when communicating at low-bandwidth or full-bandwidth, a maximum of 900 mA when communicating at high-bandwidth, and as much current as the connector will safely handle when no communication is taking place (USB 2.0 standard-A connectors are rated at 1500 mA by default).
A Dedicated Charging Port can supply a maximum of 1.8 A of current at 5.25 V. A portable device can draw up to 1.8 A from a Dedicated Charging Port. The Dedicated Charging Port shorts the D+ and D- pins with a resistance of at most 200Ω. The short disables data transfer, but allows devices to detect the Dedicated Charging Port and allows very simple, high current chargers to be manufactured. The increased current (faster, 9 W charging) will occur once both the host/hub and devices support the new charging specification.
Without negotiation, the powered USB device is unable to inquire if it is allowed to draw 100 mA, 500 mA, or 1 A. Some non-standard USB devices use the 5 V power supply without participating in a proper USB network which negotiates power draws with the host interface
In most cases, these items contain no digital circuitry, and thus are not Standard compliant USB devices at all. This can theoretically cause problems with some computers; prior to the Battery Charging Specification, the USB specification required that devices connect in a low-power mode (100 mA maximum) and state how much current they need, before switching, with the host’s permission, into high-power mode.
USB Charging Guide tells some more details on mini-USB plug: the mini-USB plug actually has 5 pins in it. This can be important as the extra pin (Pin 4) USB_ID is usually either connected to ground or left floating. Sometimes a pull up resistor needs to be added to from the USB_ID to Pin 1 (VDD) to select “Device Mode” rather than “Host Mode”. This resistor is in the device side plug as the USB_ID pin is not wired through to the PC side connector. The good news is that quite a few USB cables have this. So sometimes you can get round the not charging problem simply by trying out different leads and one may work rather than buying the manufacturers “special” cable. On some Creative players you can also solve this by pulling down both data lines (with 2x15k resistors) at the source to emulate what the host (PC) does when setting line speed. This is not so common.
So the current state of USB charging is a little bit of mess…
213 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Jon Porter / The Verge:
EU’s proposal forces companies to make fast-charging standards interoperable and “unbundles” charger sales; if adopted, companies will have 24 months to comply — With the aim of reducing e-waste — The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union …
EU proposes mandatory USB-C on all devices, including iPhones
With the aim of reducing e-waste
https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/23/22626723/eu-commission-universal-charger-usb-c-micro-lightning-connector-smartphones?scrolla=5eb6d68b7fedc32c19ef33b4
The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, has announced plans to force smartphone and other electronics manufacturers to fit a common USB-C charging port on their devices. The proposal is likely to have the biggest impact on Apple, which continues to use its proprietary Lightning connector rather than the USB-C connector adopted by most of its competitors. The rules are intended to cut down on electronic waste by allowing people to re-use existing chargers and cables when they buy new electronics.
In addition to phones, the rules will apply to other devices like tablets, headphones, portable speakers, videogame consoles, and cameras. Manufacturers will also be forced to make their fast-charging standards interoperable, and to provide information to customers about what charging standards their device supports. Under the proposal, customers will be able to buy new devices without an included charger.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Associated Press:
European Commission proposes legislation mandating USB-C charging for mobile devices, citing electronic waste; Apple is the main USB-C holdout
One to charge them all: EU demands single plug for phones
https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-technology-europe-business-smartphones-6c5089a53e67e5f4236294e872005e00
The European Union announced plans Thursday to require the smartphone industry to adopt a uniform charging cord for mobile devices, a push that could eliminate the all-too-familiar experience of rummaging through a drawer full of tangled cables to find the right one.
The European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, proposed legislation that would mandate USB-C cables for charging, technology that many device makers have already adopted. The main holdout is Apple
Tomi Engdahl says:
EU Plans One Mobile Charging Port For All, In Setback For Apple
https://www.oann.com/eu-plans-one-mobile-charging-port-for-all-in-setback-for-apple/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://gizmodo.com/apple-may-be-forced-to-embrace-usb-c-for-future-iphones-1847729786
Tomi Engdahl says:
Commission proposes a common charging solution for electronic devices – Questions and Answers
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_21_4614
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why Wait For Apple? Upgrade Your IPhone With USB-C Today!
https://hackaday.com/2021/10/15/why-wait-for-apple-upgrade-your-iphone-with-usb-c-today/
Apple iPhones ship with the company’s Lightning cable, a capable and robust connector, but one that’s not cheap and is only useful for the company’s products. When the competition had only micro-USB it might have made sense, but now that basically all new non-fruity phones ship with USB-C, that’s probably the right way to go.
[Ken Pilonell] has addressed this by modifying his iPhone to sport a USB connector. The blog post and the first video below the break show us the proof of concept, but an update in the works and a teaser video show that he made it.
https://kenp.io/iphone_usbc_mod_part_1/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.quora.com/If-a-device-draws-out-too-much-power-out-of-a-USB-charger-does-it-actually-damage-the-charger-or-just-drop-the-voltage
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/comments/2xpzkt/what_happens_when_an_usb_cable_with_its_data_pins/
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://www.obddiag.net/usb-power.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Applelta ensimmäinen GaN-pikalaturi
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12768-applelta-ensimmaeinen-gan-pikalaturi
Applen uusin tuotejulkistus piti sisällään uudet M1 Pro- ja M1 Max -prosessorit sekä näiden vauhdittamat uudet 14- ja 16-tuumaiset Macbook Pro -läppärit. 16-tuumaisen huippumallin mukana tulee 140-wattinen laturi, joka lupaa hyvää Applen tulevillekin latureille.
ChargerLab on ottanut tehtäväkseen uutuuslaturin purkamisen ja analysoinnin. Purku osoittaa, että ensimmäistä kertaa missään laitteessa Applen on käyttänyt gallium-nitridipohjaisia tehokomponentteja. Tämän ansiosta on päästy 140 watin huipputehoon.
Laturi tukee USB-latauksen uutta tehonsyötön PD3.1-standardia. Sen avulla läppäriin voidaan syöttää USB-kaapelia pitkin 28 voltin ja 5 ampeerin virtaa 140 watin teholla. Apple-tyyliin kaapeli liitetään tietokoneeseen toki MagSafe-liittimellä.
Latest Teardown of Brand New Apple 140W USB-C GaN Charger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKs9Sf84UTE
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12768-applelta-ensimmaeinen-gan-pikalaturi
Tomi Engdahl says:
The 7805 is a fixed voltage linear regulator that outputs 5V at up to 1A current. That is about the same current many lower power USB chargers give out. One 7805 works as low speed charger.
Paralleling multiple linear voltage regulators like 7805 is a bad idea. It does not work well.
LM78S05 IC. it is a 5v regulator IC with 2A current output.
For charging to work quickly there are also other tricks that just having high current output regulator
https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2010/08/18/apple-charger-secrets/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12916-uusi-tehoarkkitehtuuri-mullistaa-mobiililaitteiden-laturit
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12981-40-prosenttia-pienempiae-latureita
Tomi Engdahl says:
Kännyköistä tuttu huippunopea laturitekniikka tulee läppäreihin
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12983-kaennykoeistae-tuttu-huippunopea-laturitekniikka-tulee-laeppaereihin
GaN eli galliumnitridi on seuraavan sukupolven tehokomponenttien tekniikka, joka toimii jopa 20 kertaa nopeammin kuin vanha piipohjaiset laturit ja mahdollistaa jopa 3 kertaa suuremman lataustehon 40 prosenttia pienemmällä tehonkulutuksella ja puolta pienemmässä koossa. Nyt tämä älypuhelimiin ensin tullut tekniikka on laajenemassa kannettaviin tietokoneisiin ja jopa datakeskusten palvelimiin.
Navitas Semiconductor on GaN-piirien pioneeri. Nyt se ilmoittaa, että Dell on valinnut sen GaNFast-virtapiirit Latitude 9000 -sarjan kannettavien tietokoneiden pikalataukseen.
Uusi Dellin 60 watin pikalaturi korvaa vanhan piipohjaisiin komponentteihin pohjautuvan laturin. Läppärin GaNFast-laturi on kooltaan vain 66 x 55 x 22 millimetriä ja painaa 175 g. Se on 50 prosenttia pienempi ja 25 prosenttia kevyempi kuin edeltäjänsä.
Tomi Engdahl says:
How does a Mobile Charger Circuit Actually Work?
https://circuitdiagrams.in/how-does-a-5v-mobile-charger-work/
Tomi Engdahl says:
RapidCharge™ Controllers Prevent Fast Charger Hacking
https://www.dialog-semiconductor.com/products/usb-pd-and-rapid-charge/prevent-fast-charger-hacking?utm_campaign=dlg_pcbu&utm_source=end_elecdesign&utm_medium=personifai&utm_content=rapidcharge_lp
Recent news stories report that some fast chargers designed with MCUs can be easily hacked. When users connect their devices to these fast chargers via the USB cable, hackers may be able to compromise the charger by sourcing more power than the device can safely handle, damaging or even destroying the device. Hackers can alter the firmware of fast charge devices in order to deliver extra voltage and damage connected equipment . . .
Designers can try to add more code in the MCU to prevent hacker modifications, but only if the MCU has the option to be updated. Or, they can try to add overload protections in the devices for which the chargers are designed. These methods are hardly ideal.
Hard-Wired State Machine Approach
A simpler and lower cost approach is to design fast chargers and power supplies without MCUs and firmware, and instead use a hard-wired state machine approach.
Fast chargers and power supplies designed with Dialog’s Rapid Charge™ controllers cannot be hacked, because they are hard-wired state machines, so there is no firmware that can be accessed and corrupted. And, with a hard-wired state machine, you won’t need to spend extra time and expense to harden firmware or add overload protections.
BadPower attack corrupts fast chargers to melt or set your device on fire
https://www.zdnet.com/article/badpower-attack-corrupts-fast-chargers-to-melt-or-set-your-device-on-fire/
Attackers can alter the firmware of fast charger devices to deliver extra voltage and damage connected equipment.
Tomi Engdahl says:
What if I charge a charger?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agJbKno48z4
Tomi Engdahl says:
What if I charge a charger?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agJbKno48z4
Just a stupid experiment
Don’t try this at home.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://circuitdiagrams.in/how-does-a-5v-mobile-charger-work/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Fooled by a phone charger?? Bryan Saint on Penn & Teller: Fool Us!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z6wDTRcTL8
Can this magician fool Penn and Teller just by charging Penn’s phone? Watch what Bryan Saint does on Penn & Teller: Fool Us!
On the season 5 finale of Penn & Teller: Fool Us (S5, E13 “Let’s Hear it for the Kids), Charlotte NC magician Bryan Saint brings rope magic into the 21st century by using a phone charger. In Penn & Teller’s own words, “Rope tricks don’t mean much anymore; this means everything.” Bryan then borrows Penn Jillette’s phone and adds an interesting twist. Check out what happens!
Tomi Engdahl says:
Maailman pienin seinään upotettava 65 watin laturi
https://etn.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13331&via=n&datum=2022-03-22_15:45:18&mottagare=30929
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apple rimpuilee EU:n laturipäätöstä vastaan
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/13448-apple-rimpuilee-eu-n-laturipaeaetoestae-vastaan
Euroopan komissio esitti viime syyskuussa aloitteen, joka tähtää yhden laturistandardin tuomiseen älypuhelimiin ja muihin kannettaviin laitteisiin. Uusimpien tietoja mukaan Apple ei ole ainakaan seuraavassa iPhone 14 -sarjassa luopumassa omasta Lightning-liitännästään.
Apple on julkisesti kommentoinut EU:n ministerineuvostossa tammikuussa vahvistettua kantaa lakiehdotukseen sanomalla, että EU:n toiminta haittaa kuluttajia ja estää innovaatioita. Tähän kannattaa toki suhtautua varauksella, sillä Apple on muissa tuotteissaan (iPad ja läppärit) tukenut USBC-latausta jo pitkään.
Helpolla Apple ei ole luopumassa Lightning-liitännästä älypuhelimissaan. Nykyisissä laitteissa käytetään liitäntää, joka perustuu USB 2.0 -tekniikkaan.
Tiettävästi Apple aikoo nopeuttaa iPhone 14:n liitännän USB 3. -vauhtiin eli 5 gigabittiin sekunnissa. Tämä miellyttänee iPhone-käyttäjiä, ärsyttänee EU:ta ja tarkoittaa, että Lightning säilyy iPhonen liitäntänä vielä ainakin vuoden verran pidempään.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/04/19/charge-your-apple-with-apples/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Natasha Lomas / TechCrunch:
The European Parliament’s consumer protection committee votes 43 to 2 for a USB-C consumer electronics charging standard, ahead of a full parliament vote in May — European Union lawmakers have taken a step closer to agreeing rules to standardize how a range of mobile gadgetry is charged.
MEPs vote to expand scope of common charger rules
Natasha Lomas
https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/20/eu-common-charger-rules/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sami Fathi / MacRumors:
Kuo: Apple will switch to USB-C for the iPhone 15 in the second half of 2023, improving transfer and charging speeds — Apple will ditch its proprietary Lightning port and switch to USB-C on all or possibly some models of the iPhone 15 lineup destined to launch in the second half of 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today.
Kuo: iPhone 15 to Switch From Lightning to USB-C in 2023
Wednesday May 11, 2022 3:12 am PDT by Sami Fathi
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/05/11/iphone-15-ditch-lightning-for-usb-c/?scrolla=5eb6d68b7fedc32c19ef33b4
Apple will ditch its proprietary Lightning port and switch to USB-C on all or possibly some models of the iPhone 15 lineup destined to launch in the second half of 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today.
Since the iPhone 5, Apple has kept the Lightning port on the iPhone, despite much of the industry moving to USB-C. In a tweet today, Kuo said that the latest supply chain survey indicates that Apple will ditch Lightning in favor of USB-C in 2023. Kuo noted that USB-C would improve transfer speeds on the iPhone and improve charging speeds.
Kuo had previously said that Apple would be sticking with Lightning on the iPhone for the “foreseeable future,” saying that switching to USB-C would be harmful to Apple’s MiFi business and has lesser waterproof specification. Now, Apple has reportedly changed its tone. One possible reason for Apple’s change in heart is pressure being placed upon it by the EU.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Common charger: MEPs agree on proposal to reduce electronic waste
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fi/press-room/20220412IPR27115/common-charger-meps-agree-on-proposal-to-reduce-electronic-waste
Fewer redundant cables and chargers: good for environment and consumers
USB Type-C port as new standard for portable device
MEPs also want harmonisation for wireless charging
MEPs support a common charger for portable electronic devices, reducing e-waste and making the use of different mobile phones, tablets and digital cameras more convenient.
On Wednesday the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee adopted its position on the revised Radio Equipment Directive with 43 votes in favour (2 against).
The new rules would make sure consumers no longer need a new charger and cable every time they purchase a new device, and can use one charger for all of their small and medium-sized electronic gadgets. Mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, rechargeable via a wired cable, would have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port, regardless of the manufacturer. Exemptions would apply only for devices that are too small to have a USB Type-C port, such as smart watches, health trackers, and some sports equipment.
This revision is part of a broader EU effort to address product sustainability, in particular of electronics on the EU market, and to reduce electronic waste.
Clear information on charging
MEPs also want to see clear information and labelling on new devices about charging options, as well as whether a product includes a charger. This would, they say, help to avoid confusion and ease purchasing decisions for consumers that often own several different devices and do not always need additional chargers.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Common charger: MEPs agree on proposal to reduce electronic waste
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fi/press-room/20220412IPR27115/common-charger-meps-agree-on-proposal-to-reduce-electronic-waste
Fewer redundant cables and chargers: good for environment and consumers
USB Type-C port as new standard for portable device
MEPs also want harmonisation for wireless charging
Tomi Engdahl says:
Jon Porter / The Verge:
EU lawmakers reach an agreement on legislation that will mandate USB-C on smartphones and other electronic devices, starting in autumn 2024, to reduce e-waste
USB-C will be mandatory for phones sold in the EU ‘by autumn 2024’
A major blow to Apple’s Lightning port
https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/7/23156361/european-union-usb-c-wired-charging-iphone-lightning-ewaste?scrolla=5eb6d68b7fedc32c19ef33b4
European Union lawmakers have reached an agreement on legislation that will force all future smartphones sold in the EU — including Apple’s iPhone — be equipped with the universal USB-C port for wired charging by fall 2024. The rule will also apply to other electronic devices including tablets, digital cameras, headphones, handheld video game consoles, and e-readers.
The legislation has been under consideration for years, but an agreement on its scope and details was reached this morning following negotiations between different EU bodies.
The European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection announced the news in a tweet ahead of a press conference due to take place at 12:30 CEST (6:30AM ET) later today. The legislation does still need to be approved by the EU Parliament and Council later this year, but this appears to be more of a formality than anything else. In a press release, the European Parliament stated the law would be in place “by autumn 2024.”
“Today we have made the common charger a reality in Europe!”
The rules are an attempt to cut down on e-waste in the EU by making chargers for electronic devices interoperable. In the future, lawmakers hope that phones won’t need to come with a charger in the box because buyers will already have the appropriate cable and wall charger at home. The EU estimates that the rules could save consumers 250 million euros per year on “unnecessary charger purchases” and cut down on around 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually.
The agreement would have the biggest impact on Apple, which is the only major smartphone manufacturer to still use a proprietary port instead of USB-C. In 2021, Apple sold 241 million iPhones globally, of which about 56 million were sold in Europe. The EU’s press release specifically says the rules apply to devices “that are rechargeable via a wired cable,” meaning a device that only charges wirelessly would not need to be fitted with a USB-C port.
The European Commission announced the current plans for the legislation last September, but the bloc’s efforts to force manufacturers to use a common charging standard go back over a decade. In the years since, Android manufacturers have converged upon micro USB and then USB-C as the common charging standard of choice, while Apple went from offering phones with its proprietary 30-pin connector to Lightning.
Apple has pushed back against the EU’s attempts to force it to use USB-C on its phones. “We remain concerned that strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world,” a spokesperson told Reuters last year. It’s also argued that forcing a switch to USB-C would create e-waste rather than reduce it, because it would make its existing ecosystem of Lightning accessories redundant.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Deal on common charger: reducing hassle for consumers and curbing e-waste
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220603IPR32196/deal-on-common-charger-reducing-hassle-for-consumers-and-curbing-e-waste
One single charger for all small and medium-sized portable electronic devices
Charging speed harmonised for devices that support fast charging
Buyers can choose whether to purchase new device with or without charging device
By autumn 2024, USB Type-C will become the common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the EU, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed today.
The provisional agreement on the amended Radio Equipment Directive, establishes a single charging solution for certain electronic devices. This law is a part of a broader EU effort to make products in the EU more sustainable, to reduce electronic waste, and make consumers’ lives easier.
These new obligations will lead to more re-use of chargers and will help consumers save up to 250 million euro a year on unnecessary charger purchases. Disposed of and unused chargers are estimated to represent about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Trilogisopu yleislaturista, tavoitteena vähentää elektroniikkaromun määrää
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fi/press-room/20220603IPR32196/trilogisopu-yleislaturista-tavoitteena-vahentaa-elektroniikkaromun-maaraa
Yksi laturi kaikille pienille ja keskikokoisille kannettaville laitteille
Pikalataamisen nopeus harmonisoitaisiin
Ostaja voi valita, ostaako laitteen laturin kanssa vai ilman
EU-parlamentin ja neuvoston neuvottelutuloksen myötä kaikki EU:ssa syksyn 2024 jälkeen myytävät matkapuhelimet, tabletit ja kamerat on voitava ladata USB-C-latureilla.
Alustava sopu radiolaitedirektiivin uudistuksesta tarkoittaa, että tiettyjä elektroniikkalaitteita ladataan jatkossa samalla laturilla. Uudistus on osa EU:n pyrkimystä parantaa tuotteiden, erityisesti elektroniikan, ympäristöystävällisyyttä, vähentää elektroniikkaromua ja helpottaa kuluttajien elämää.
Press conference by Alex AGIUS SALIBA, rapporteur on the outcome of the trilogue on common charger
https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/press-conference-by-alex-agius-saliba-rapporteur-on-outcome-of-trilogue-on-common-charger_20220607-1230-SPECIAL-PRESSER
Tomi Engdahl says:
EU ottaa käyttöön yleislaturin
EU on päässyt yhteisymmärrykseen yleislaturin käyttöönotosta.
https://www.iltalehti.fi/digiuutiset/a/ba6a457b-65af-4bb9-931f-bbcef2f3b195
Euroopan parlamenttia ja Euroopan neuvosto ovat ilmoittaneet, että EU:ssa otetaan käyttöön yleislaturi, jossa on USB-C-liitäntä. Käytännössä ladattavien elektroniikkalaitteiden on siis tuettava USB-C-johdolla tapahtuvaa latausta.
Uusi asetus ei koske laitteita, joihin USB-C-porttia ei voi sisällyttää laitteen koon vuoksi. Näihin lukeutuvat esimerkiksi älykellot ja aktiivisuusrannekkeet.
Uudistuksen taustalla on tavoite elektroniikkajätteen määrän vähentämisessä, kun eri laitteiden mukana ei toimiteta vain niille tarkoitettua laturia. Lisäksi kuluttajan ei tarvitse hankkia erikseen uutta laturia, kun hänen vanha laturinsa toimii myös uuden laitteen kanssa.
Matkapuhelimet, tabletit, e-lukijat, nappikuulokkeet, digikamerat, kuulokkeet, kädessä pidettävät videopelikonsolit ja kannettavat kaiuttimet, jotka ovat ladattavissa langallisella kaapelilla, on varustettava USB-C-portilla valmistajasta riippumatta”, tiedotteessa kerrotaan.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Yhteislaturi tulee – tämä on pian EU:n ainoa sallittu laturipää https://www.is.fi/digitoday/art-2000008869932.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2022/06/07/eurooppa-valitsi-usb-c-latausliitannan-kayttoon-vasta-2024/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apple 10W USB charger failure analysis and repair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV57EPYA0A8
Analyzing a faulty Apple 10W USB charger. Showing what’s inside, finding the faulty component, fixing the charger, showing some oscilloscope waveforms and testing various components (capacitors, a diode, transistor, inductor, resistor…).
Tomi Engdahl says:
Dual Power Supply In A Pinch
https://hackaday.com/2022/07/02/dual-power-supply-in-a-pinch/
The ones I had used the Injoinic IP2721 USB-C power delivery chip, commonly used in many of these boards. Mine had been sold pre-configured for certain output voltages, but they were easy to re-jumper to the voltages I needed, +5 VDC and +20 VDC. The most challenging aspect was physically using them — they are the size of a fingernail. This version had through-hole output pads on 0.1″ centers, so I decided to solder them to the base of a standard MTA pin header. A few crimps later and I was up and running, along with the requisite pair of USB-C cables and power adapters.
https://datasheet.lcsc.com/lcsc/2006111335_INJOINIC-IP2721_C603176.pdf
Tomi Engdahl says:
Usb charging circuit – Why are both data pins shorted?
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/comments/3w7hip/usb_charging_circuit_why_are_both_data_pins/
The original USB 1.X and 2.0 standards defined the maximum output current of a USB port to be 500mA. Since that is a lot less than modern smart phones need, non standardized methods have evolved.
So in some circuits you find online the data pins are shorted, in others they have a 200Ohm resistor in between them and in Apple devices you’ll need a voltage divide from +5V to ground.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://lygte-info.dk/info/USBinfo%20UK.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Reverse Engineering The Apple Lightning Connector
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/22/reverse-engineering-the-apple-lightning-connector/
A frequent contributor to the hacker community, [stacksmashing] has prepared an excellent instructional video on reverse engineering Apple’s Lighting connector proprietary protocol. The video begins by showing how to gain physical access to the signals and hooking them up to a logic analyzer. He then notes that the handshaking uses only a single signal and proposes that Apple isn’t going to re-invent the wheel (perhaps a risky assumption). Using a ChatGPT search, obligatory these days, we learn that Dallas Semiconductor / Microchip 1-wire is probably the protocol employed.
The secrets of Apple Lightning – Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5tMaWsuGk0
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/10/that-cheap-usb-charger-could-be-costly/
[Big Clive] picked up a keychain battery to charge his phone and found out that it was no bargain. Due to a wiring mistake, the unit was wired backward, delivering -5 V instead of 5 V. The good news is that it gave him an excuse to tear the thing open and see what was inside. You can see the video of the teardown below.
The PCB had the correct terminals marked G and 5 V, it’s just that the red wire for the USB connector was attached to G, and the black wire was connected to 5 V. Somewhat surprisingly, the overall circuit and PCB design was pretty good. It was simply a mistake in manufacturing and, of course, shows a complete lack of quality assurance testing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fVt1PG4uXE
Tomi Engdahl says:
For versions 1 of USB The spec says 5V +/- 5%, so you should design to accept 4.75V to 5.25V.
For USB 2.0 the spec says: • The voltage supplied by high-powered hub ports is 4.75 V to 5.50 V. • The voltage supplied by low-powered hub ports is 4.4 V to 5.50 V.
Tomi Engdahl says:
A standards compliant USB charger should output 5V when you plug in something. If charger and the device support higher voltage quick charge mode, the device can ask the power supply to switch to turn on higher voltage output.
Tomi Engdahl says:
USB chargers supply +5V power no matter if there is battery or not. The intelligence of battery charging is inside devices, and the USB power supply is not interested in it. You can consider USB chargers that plug to wall as generic 5V power supply.
Some USB C chargers can supply also higher voltages when asked to do by an intelligent USB controller in the device being powered.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2024/07/03/usb-and-the-myth-of-500-milliamps/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Split A USB-C PD Port Into Three Port-ions
https://hackaday.com/2024/07/01/split-a-usb-c-pd-port-into-three-port-ions/
There’s no shortage of USB-C chargers in all sorts of configurations, but sometimes, you simply need a few more charging ports on the go, and you got a single one. Well then, check out [bluepylons]’s USB-C splitter, which takes a single USB-C 5V/3A port and splits it into three 5V/1A plugs, wonderful for charging a good few devices on the go!
This adapter does things right – it actually checks that 3A is provided, with just a comparator, and uses that to switch power to the three outputs, correctly signalling to the consumer devices that they may consume about 1A from the plugs. This hack’s documentation is super considerate – you get detailed instructions on how to reproduce it, every nuance you might want to keep in mind, and even different case options depending on whether you want to pot the case or instead use a thermal pad for a specific component which might have to dissipate some heat during operation!
https://github.com/bluepylons/USB-C-3-way-splitter
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.renesas.com/us/en/support/engineer-school/usb-power-delivery-01-usb-type-c
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/446971/does-usb-a-connector-have-the-pins-required-for-usb-power-delivery-pd
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quick_Charge
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.quora.com/Does-USB-charging-amperage-drop-with-multi-output-cables-I-have-a-cable-that-can-charge-one-mini-USB-device-one-USB-C-device-and-two-Apple-Lightening-devices-at-the-same-time-Do-they-all-get-the-same-2-1-amps-Or-are
Does USB charging amperage drop with multi-output cables? I have a cable that can charge one mini USB device, one USB-C device, and two Apple Lightening devices at the same time. Do they all get the same 2.1 amps? Or are they have reduced charging?
USB charging amperage can indeed drop when using multi-output charging cables. The total available current from the power source is divided between the connected devices.
With a multi-output cable that can charge one mini USB, one USB-C, and two Lightning devices simultaneously, the 2.1A total current will be shared among the connected devices. Typically, in these situations, each port will provide reduced amperage, often around 1A or less per port.
The exact current available per port depends on the cable’s design and the power source it is connected to. Higher-quality cables and power adapters may be able to provide closer to full 2.1A per port, but it is common for the amperage to be reduced when multiple devices are charged simultaneously. The user should consult the cable’s specifications or manufacturer information to understand the expected current delivery per port under multi-device charging conditions.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Are all charging cables capable of fast charging?
Some cables might just be designed for data transfer and not support fast charging; others might support fast charging but only up to a certain power limit. Ensuring your USB-C cable, device, and charger all support the same standards and power levels is essential for achieving the best charging performance.
https://www.anker.com/blogs/cables/are-all-usb-c-cables-the-same-for-charging
Tomi Engdahl says:
Multi-Charging Cables – Convenience or a Great Danger
https://linkon.biz/en/post/1-multi-charging-cables-convenience-or-a-great-danger.html?region=EU¤cy=EUR&lang=en
Most of you have encountered or have used one of those smart looking 3in1 or 4in1 USB ports charging cables. Those who have one of these is happily using it and even brag in front of his friends about having such a smart gadget. However, why those cables are not widely available and not offered by the big brands? Are they safe to use? Are there any limitations or things to bear in mind when purchasing one of these?
So what is multi charging cable?
For those of you who are not quite aware – multi charging cables are special cables which have the standard USB-A (the one available on most of the computers today) input on one side and multiple different outputs on the other side. Those could be micro USB (used mainly by Android devices and some other accessories), 8-pin Lightning (a.k.a. Apple plug, designed and patented by Apple for iPhone, iPad, iPod devices), USB-C (a.k.a. USB Type-C, the new advanced version of the USB A port used on the latest mobile devices). The reasons of having one input and multiple outputs are two:
You can use a single cable to charge almost any mobile device out there
You can charge multiple devices at a time with just a single cable and charger
This sounds very convenient, right? It gets you want to ask why are not we all using only multi charging cables. You will need a little more details so you can understand the answ
Mixing different standards into the same product is not a trivial task. One of the reasons why none of the leading smartphone vendors have desire to release such a product. They do not want to be sued or promote standards not available to them.
The communication between devices and chargers is handled differently for each standard, which makes them incompatible with each other. For instance one of the standards called Qualcomm Quick Charge is using the data wires in the cable to send signals. USB Power Delivery, which we mentioned already, is using the power wires for both transmitting power and exchanging signals to control the charging speed.
Challenges and limitations
When comes to using a triple charging cable with a fast charging device and charger there is one very important fact to consider. The higher voltage or amperage requested by the device is not only delivered to its output but also to the other outputs of the cable. If you connect a different device to one of the other ports, it may not be capable of consuming higher than the standard amount of power. This can lead to damaging the third device or even cause its battery to explode. Even if you connect multiple devices which support fast charging it is not clear which one will take over the control of the charger which automatically put the other device at risk for receiving more power depending on its battery percentage. The bottom line is that there is no safe way of using fast charging devices with multi charging cables.
To understand the other reason you first need to know what is Fast Charging. That is another feature that came up when the batteries of the mobile devices became larger hence time to charge was jumped to several hours. Fast charging is a technology to increase the power transferred from your charger to your mobile device. That is done by increasing the charging voltage or amperage or both. For example the standard charging uses 5V voltage and up to 2.4A amperage which delivers up to 12W of power. USB Power Delivery (one of the fast charging technologies) can increase the voltage up to 20V and the amperage up to 5A for a total of 100W of power.
This is the reason why the safe multi charging cables have the fast charging technologies disabled. This requires the data wires of all the Micro USB and USB C plugs to be removed. As explained above removing the data connection disables the Qualcomm QC capability. The only plug, which could keep its data wires, is the 8-Pin Lightning as Apple devices as they are not used by fast charging technology.
This is the limitation of the multi charging cables. You will not be able to use fast charging technology and you will not be able to use them to sync your device unless you are with iPhone or iPad. There are some multi charging cables on the market which support data on all outputs but I would highly recommend you to stay away. You cannot be sure, when someone will connect a fast charging device together with another one and cause a disaster.
Is it worthwhile using multi charging cables then?
If you consider carrying a single cable for all your devices more important than the fast charging, then the answer is yes. I would actually recommend you to use normal charging as often as possible. It is not well known fact that fast charging puts a lot of stress on the battery and reduces battery life over time. Using slow charging most of the times can give you one or two additional years with your favorite smartphone.