USB charging vs Data Cables

jeff51 · 2023-12-08T20:37:41.753Z

Is there a quick/easy way to tell if a cable is charge only vs data?

During a move all my USB-A to Macro, Micro, and C ended up in the same box.
Figured the General Forum would be the best place to try first.

It’s obvious with the nicer cables.
Now I’m left with a pile of generic white and black cables to sort out.

Any tricks other than finding some device to plug them into to see if they’ll talk?
I’d be willing to drop a few bucks on some sort of USB tester to make my life easier.

I’m a bit worried that a miss wired cable could brick something I care about.
A $0.20 cable that came free with a flashlight will always be correctly wired – Right?
After all the USB symbol seems to be placed in random sides of the USB-A end…

Thanks for the help.
All the Best,
Jeff

zoulas · 2023-12-08T20:43:17.685Z

Here is a decent article about what you are asking.

How to tell a USB charge-only cable from a USB data cable - Dignited

Dignited – 28 Jul 19

How to tell a USB charge-only cable from a USB data cable - Dignited

Not all USB cables are able to transfer data. Learn more about USB cables and how to tell USB data cables from USB charging cables.

Est. reading time: 3 minutes

raccoon · 2023-12-08T20:44:46.040Z

jeff51:

I’m a bit worried that a miss wired cable could brick something I care about.

Is that even possible?
(I honestly don’t know.)

zoulas · 2023-12-08T20:46:16.512Z

Bottom line, its almost impossible to tell by looking at it. Data cables are thicker according to the article.

sp5it · 2023-12-08T21:12:25.538Z

Get USB tester. You will check much more about that cable than if it have 2 or 4 wires.
MIke

Mandrake50 · 2023-12-08T21:33:24.714Z

jeff51:

I’m a bit worried that a miss wired cable could brick something I care about.

I doubt that this would happen unless the manufacturer of the cable really screwed up… Just using a (properly wired) data cable in place of a charging cable or vice versa is not going to damage anything. As mentioned though, if you are very concerned, get a good USB cable tester and verify each cable before using it.

For me, it does not get to that level of concern… and I have some pretty expensive devices that use USB cables.
The only problems I have ever had was grabbing a charging cable and trying to use it to transfer data… Then having to find the correct cable for the job.

raccoon · 2023-12-08T21:38:12.518Z

Yep, that’s what I was thinking because I’ve never heard of anyone damaging a USB device with the wrong USB cable, but I wasn’t sure.

epictetus · 2023-12-08T22:59:24.535Z

Like raccoon said: I have never heard of anyone damaging anything by using the wrong cable - only missing out on data transfer.

High quality USB data cables are often thicker (and more expensive) than just power transfer. I was recently looking for a USB cable with an on/off switch which also allows data transfer and found that combination VERY difficult to get: plenty with switches which just transfer power, not data too. Anyway, in case anyone wants one: 1.65€ 14% OFF|2022 daten Sync USB 2,0 Extender Cord USB Verlängerung Kabel Mit ON OFF Schalter Led anzeige für Raspberry Pi PC USB Fan LED Lampe|USB-Hubs| - AliExpress

jeff51 · 2023-12-08T23:13:46.546Z

I don’t know. I’ve seen a few fried USB connector areas inside PCs over the years.
Not sure of the cause. But clearly burned components on the MB where the front panel connectors are connected.
The users claim nothing nefarious took place.

What happens when two mains connected systems sees a +5 hot where a ground is supposed to go? Could it make some sensitive components let the magic smoke out?
Or the +5 to one of the data lines?

RC I’m not worried about a correctly wired cable. A charge cable just won’t pass the data.
It’s something wired bass-ackwards I’m thinking about.
zoulas - thanks for the link. Thick vs thin - some Apple cables are mighty skinny.

Heck,Anker is shipping $2000 power stations with the 120v or 240v sockets with reversed hot and neutrals on some of them.

I’ve got a few USB meters for monitoring charging, but nothing that checks cable integrity.
Any suggestions? Cheap/easy is the operative word.
All the Best,
Jeff

Mandrake50 · 2023-12-08T23:38:12.402Z

Yeah… mis-wired cables could cause problems.
. For that, testing is the only sure way to tell. I don’t have tester. But being as I am, if somebody comes up with a suggestion that is not stupid expensive, I will probably buy one…

zoulas · 2023-12-09T00:18:33.927Z

The fried USB connectors were due to cheap cables and chinese knock off peripherals that dont follow the USB spec.

jeff51 · 2023-12-09T00:31:55.835Z

zoulas:

The fried USB connectors were due to cheap cables and chinese knock off peripherals that dont follow the USB spec.

This is what I am worried about.
I found this thingy on Amazon.
For 15 bucks, I’ll give it a go.

image1001×1001 110 KB

Amazon.com: Treedix USB Cable Data Line Test Board USB Cable Checker Data Wire Charging Test Card Type-C Micro Type A Type B : Electronics

Lightbringer · 2023-12-09T03:21:05.499Z

If it were all micro, then it’s a matter of 2-wire vs 4-wire, and with a micro socket, you could hook up the A end into a powerbank or other supply, then just sniff the power- and data-lines with an LED each.

No light at all means a miswiring, power-only LED (can stick a resistive load to draw, say, 500mA from it) means power’s intact, data-LED lit even barely means something’s jiggling on that line vs being totally off.

I got some micro sockets so’s I could hook up, say, 5V fans directly to a usb port via generic cable vs via some weirdo adapter. All I care about is power, and no negotiation for anything above 500mA, so simple is good, but you could wire up something quick or just use that board above to do more thorough testing.

Quadrupel · 2023-12-09T08:58:21.439Z

Do not buy Adibas.

SammysHP · 2023-12-09T10:15:02.927Z

Just wanted to recommend such a device. Not only will it show wrong pin assignment, it will also show you whether it’s just simple two-wire power cable, four wire or USB3 and how many data lanes (if it supports higher data rates, thunderbolt etc).

jeff51 · 2023-12-09T20:56:42.223Z

Got the thingy on the way. I’ll let you know how it works out.
Got my label maker ready to mark the cables.
All the Best,
Jeff

Mandrake50 · 2023-12-09T21:42:22.207Z

I would like to see your results and thoughts on the tester. I might just buy one if it works well.
I am not really concerned with bad or mis-wired cables, but I like testing gadgets.
I guess being a retired engineer does that to a person…

jeff51 · 2023-12-11T23:45:42.709Z

Got it in.
Mine doesn’t have the battery clip problem that many reviewers complained about.

The on board connectors do look and feel rather breakable. Especially the Micro USB socket.
Reviewers often have this complaint. Micro rips off the board.

After bit more careful playing. I think a tiny drop of superglue on each socket might give me more confidence that I won’t rip a connector off by applying even a small amount of nonlinear stress.

A couple of quick pics below.

I’ll do a longer review when I understand it better.

Mandrake50:

but I like testing gadgets.

Go for it. I’d like to throw some more brain cells at it!

Easy to tell Charge from Data.
But I’m not sure it will define a miss-wired cable. Would be nice if the connections would cascade like on my serial breakout box.

For $15? Shut-up and take my money!
All the Best,
Jeff

A to C with Data - Basic cable.

A to Data C in up1920×2560 327 KB

A to C – Charge only.

A to C Charge only1920×2560 425 KB

Mandrake50 · 2023-12-12T00:31:19.403Z

jeff51:

But I’m not sure it will define a miss-wired cable

Yeah, if wires are crossed in a certain way, I can see where it could light up the “correct” lights on both sides. I looks like it is just a continuity checker. Still interesting.

jeff51 · 2023-12-12T23:56:38.191Z

Mandrake50:

Yeah, if wires are crossed in a certain way, I can see where it could light up the “correct” lights on both sides. I looks like it is just a continuity checker.

That’s all it is. But I do see contact points next to the LEDs.
Perhaps a meter could be applied to those one at a time and see where it comes out on the other side.
Maybe even a voltage to light up the corresponding LEDS.
Need to think about that some.
But at least I can now quickly cull out the charge only cables.

Decided I’m going to mark all my USB-A cable ends with a “Top” decal.
I’m sick of the random markings that seem to be the way of these things.
All the Best,
Jeff