I'll have you know that I've been using a 2m extension on my deck power supply for a while and haven't had any fires to speak of. Almost none actually.
Almost none so not zero?
thats_the_joke.gif
This is my ship, HMS Can't Possibly Sink IV
If you want a more detailed explanation, USB-C is a small connector that was designed primarily for data transfer, extended power range delivery (240w) was essentially hacked on to the standard. Electricity arcing between the contacts on the connector is the biggest challenge with this hack, since the contacts are small and very close together, which could burn out the circuit board and start fires. For EPR to work safely, there needs to be a lot of extra components on the circuit board/female connector side, which there simply isn't enough space for on an f2m extension cable.
As for why USB-C cables are so short, it's simply a matter of physics, carrying high speed data over larger distances would result in higher losses and requires thicker conductors and more shielding, which is why you don't see USB4 Gen3 cables over 1 meter unless they are optical, and longer "charging cables" are only rated at USB 2.0 speeds, because more often than not they don't even have the USB 3.x data pins on their connector.
Nice explanation, thanks!
It's amazing for a "standard" that there can be so many non-standard ways to do it. Your explanation is great and just reminded me that cable tester tools are a really good idea to have at home. There was one in Kickstarter earlier this year, I think, that was a really smart idea. I don't recall what it was nqmed though. Maybe you have heard of it? I'll see if I can find it.
Regardless, there are some devices that really need a specific type of usb-c cable to function properly and/or not burn the circuitry. (i.e. Nintendo Switch, the original release model (though, they may have fixed it in later hardware revisions))
Edit: Found it! That cable tester that I was referring to was called the BLE CaberQU. I think it is a really neat idea.
You are a brilliant woman of many talents, Margot Robbie!
That's esteemed Academy Award nominated character actress Margot Robbie to you!
Also, thank you.
I have this cable: https://www.spigen.com/products/arcwire-usb-c-to-usb-c-cable-pb2202
It's 2 meters long, 240 watts and supports Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 (40 gbps).
I couldn't test the 240 watts charging as I don't have any device pulling more than 100 watts, but the Thunderbolt 4 part definitely works.
Apple sells a 3 meter Thunderbolt 4 cable (albeit limited to 100 watts of power) that isn't optical either (I think there's some special circuitry in the plugs though).
$90 for a cable and it’s not even braided is wild to me.
I prefer not braided. Both for cables and hair. More of a ponytail kinda guy myself.
You're right. Those are active cables which I forgot to mention earlier that have special circuits that amplify signals, but are also a lot more expensive as a result.
Will I get banned if I don't call this person Margot Robbie, because they claim to identify as a famous Hollywood actress?
I don't seem to be able to upvote this twice.
You could always buy more copies of "Barbie" on Blu-ray for Christmas.
Just saying.
Absolute gold 🤣
Anybody care to sum this up for people who can’t watch videos?
So a standard cable needs to be chipped to show its rating to the device, its not that the device can pull what it wants or can get, but the cable itself tells it what it can supply. Extension cables can’t do that, because it doesn’t know what it’s plugged into, and that would be if they even bothered to put a chip in. They instead piggy back off the chip for the main cable. The problem comes when you you have a 240 watt cable hooked up to a cheap 120 watt cable, with the device being told it can push 240, and starts to super heat the extension cable
Brilliant thanks
5 sentences that inexplicably need a 9 minute video to say
Fuck YouTube
Correct, except for your example. Firstly, 120 watt USB c cables don't exist, only 60w, 100w, 140w and 240w. And only plugging in a 100w or higher cable into a 60w extension would be dangerous, since it would allow drawing 5 amps on a cable over an extension only designed for 3 amps. However, as soon as your extension is rated for 100w it is completely safe to use with any USB c cable, even those rated for 240w, as those only operate at a higher voltage but still only allow 5 amps max.
I have also never seen an USB C extension cable rated for less than 100w, so this is kind of a moot point. If 60w usb c extensions exist somewhere, they would indeed be dangerous, but I have never come across one
Seems negligent to not include extension cables in the spec. Lots of hubs have too short of cables, or one needs to expose a plug somewhere other than where the PC is.
True, although shady Amazon sellers will probably still sell you a fire hazard cord that isn’t to spec.
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
