1892: USB Cables - Revision history

Velocifyer: Fix spelling and i also meant to use USB-PD

2025-06-14T22:39:19Z

Fix spelling and i also meant to use USB-PD

Velocifyer: /* Explanation */ USB-C needs a special chip to transfer data

2025-06-14T22:37:28Z

‎Explanation: USB-C needs a special chip to transfer data

PleaseConsiderReCaptchaV3ForRegistration: /* Explanation */ Updated the URL to the Micro USB's specifications to the archived one as the original URL was dead

2024-11-27T13:10:38Z

‎Explanation: Updated the URL to the Micro USB's specifications to the archived one as the original URL was dead

172.69.150.183: /* Explanation */ typo

2024-08-05T09:31:44Z

‎Explanation: typo

Davidy22: Reverted edits by Explain xkcd server admin (talk) to last revision by Jacky720

2022-05-21T02:53:33Z

Reverted edits by Explain xkcd server admin (talk) to last revision by Jacky720

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Explain xkcd server admin at 21:57, 20 May 2022

2022-05-20T21:57:39Z

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Jacky720: rv

2022-05-04T23:30:15Z

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Ex Kay Cee Dee at 23:30, 4 May 2022

2022-05-04T23:30:07Z

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Jacky720: rv

2022-05-04T22:35:51Z

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Ex Kay Cee Dee at 22:35, 4 May 2022

2022-05-04T22:35:44Z

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@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 * '''Carries data but not power''' - Not typically done, but it could happen if the wires or pins get damaged. While such a cable is theoretically possible, if used with standards-compliant devices, it would appear [https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/313955/does-usb-host-always-supply-power-on-vbus completely broken].
 * '''Too short''' - Another money saving wheeze, some devices ship with pathetically short cables.
-* '''Charges phone slowly''' - More likely a problem with the charger than the cable, but may happen if the wires are damaged or if it does not have a emarker chip (if USB-C). Refers to some chargers not delivering more than half an ampere. Could also be caused by thin or very long wires which lead to a significant voltage drop, thereby reducing charging speed. This is also a typical user experience for cables that carry power but not data, as charging current/voltage negotiation typically happens over the data lines.
+* '''Charges phone slowly''' - More likely a problem with the charger than the cable, but may happen if the wires are damaged or if it does not have a E-marker chip (if USB-C). Refers to some chargers not delivering more than half an ampere. Could also be caused by thin or very long wires which lead to a significant voltage drop, thereby reducing charging speed. This is also a typical user experience for cables that carry power but not data, as charging current/voltage negotiation typically happens over the data lines.
 * '''Won't auto-activate portable charger''' - Most portable chargers (basically big batteries) should activate when the device is plugged in. Something about the cable (possibly the way the data lines are shorted) is interfering with this mechanism.
 * '''Has annoying ferrite lumps''' - {{w|Ferrite bead}}s are used to filter out interference from the cable. High-performance applications need these, but on a phone charger you're just adding unnecessary weight and bulk. Two cables are shown with this problem.

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 * '''Carries data but not power''' - Not typically done, but it could happen if the wires or pins get damaged. While such a cable is theoretically possible, if used with standards-compliant devices, it would appear [https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/313955/does-usb-host-always-supply-power-on-vbus completely broken].
 * '''Too short''' - Another money saving wheeze, some devices ship with pathetically short cables.
-* '''Charges phone slowly''' - More likely a problem with the charger than the cable, but may happen if the wires are damaged. Refers to some chargers not delivering more than half an ampere. Could also be caused by thin or very long wires which lead to a significant voltage drop, thereby reducing charging speed. This is also a typical user experience for cables that carry power but not data, as charging current/voltage negotiation typically happens over the data lines.
+* '''Charges phone slowly''' - More likely a problem with the charger than the cable, but may happen if the wires are damaged or if it does not have a emarker chip (if USB-C). Refers to some chargers not delivering more than half an ampere. Could also be caused by thin or very long wires which lead to a significant voltage drop, thereby reducing charging speed. This is also a typical user experience for cables that carry power but not data, as charging current/voltage negotiation typically happens over the data lines.
 * '''Won't auto-activate portable charger''' - Most portable chargers (basically big batteries) should activate when the device is plugged in. Something about the cable (possibly the way the data lines are shorted) is interfering with this mechanism.
 * '''Has annoying ferrite lumps''' - {{w|Ferrite bead}}s are used to filter out interference from the cable. High-performance applications need these, but on a phone charger you're just adding unnecessary weight and bulk. Two cables are shown with this problem.

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 * '''Plug doesn't fit through case''' - Manufacturers don't always follow the standard for what the plastic housing around the USB connector should look like, and sometimes these are molded so they don't quite fit in the phone socket or through the charging port of an external case.
 * '''Needs to be twisted to keep working''' - The wires inside are damaged, and only connect when held in just the right way. One step away from total breakage.
-* '''Weird shape''' - A normal USB cable but [http://read.pudn.com/downloads114/doc/comm/476505/usb_20_040908/usb_20/Micro-USB_final/Micro-USB_1_01.pdf#page=30 the connector is molded with a 90 degree turn (which is actually specified in the MicroUSB Specification, see pages 28-31)] for no apparent reason and might be not convenient in some situations.
+* '''Weird shape''' - A normal USB cable but [https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023959/http://read.pudn.com/downloads114/doc/comm/476505/usb_20_040908/usb_20/Micro-USB_final/Micro-USB_1_01.pdf the connector is molded with a 90 degree turn (which is actually specified in the MicroUSB Specification, see pages 28-31)] for no apparent reason and might be not convenient in some situations.
 * '''The good one''' - This is the one that really works out of the 15 shown, with 11 different problems. The funny thing is that it looks more or less exactly like at least 6 of the other 14. So it will take some time to find this cable.

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ==Explanation==
-In this comic, [[Randall]] states the 'Law of {{w|USB}} cables': You will never have more than one which has no problems now matter how many you get. Now that most devices charge off USB, having a cable (specifically, USB-A (the big end) to Micro-B or USB-C (the small end)) is essential. However, most USB cables are cheaply made, and carrying them around quickly damages them. This comic lists some common (and not so common) problems with USB cables.
+In this comic, [[Randall]] states the 'Law of {{w|USB}} cables': You will never have more than one which has no problems, no matter how many you get. Now that most devices charge off USB, having a cable (specifically, USB-A (the big end) to Micro-B or USB-C (the small end)) is essential. However, most USB cables are cheaply made, and carrying them around quickly damages them. This comic lists some common (and not so common) problems with USB cables.
 * '''Carry power but not data''' - USB cables have separate data and power lines. To save money (and sometimes for security reasons), the data lines can be omitted. This means it can be used for charging, but not data transfer. Two cables are shown with this problem.