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Understanding USB chargers
ident4
19-06-2012
Hi

I'm just about to go on holiday and like everyone else I have quite a few gadgets that have usb-style connectors and separate chargers.

I'd like to take only one with me but don't want to risk taking one that ends up not charging my device properly or damaging it. I'd have thought that since these things are mimicking a usb port which is standard across computers, that they would all be identical and work the same, But then you look on Amazon/Ebay and see some that have different power specs and comments saying things like "works with most by devices by not my whatever"

So is there something I should be looking for in the specs of ones online or I already have?
If I just take one that came with a high-quality device, like my Galaxy S3, would that just work with anything or are some plugs tailored to devices?
neo_wales
19-06-2012
I took a cheap USB charger, UK 3 pin and euro adaptor to Gran Canaria and it charged my S2 with no issue. I'm not sure about iPhones, I've read they have problems sometimes. Mine cost about £3 delivered off eBay.
JulesandSand
19-06-2012
It's my understanding that a charging device will only draw the current it requires.

I take the charger with the highest current rating I have and it charges my phone, tablet and Kindle.
IvanIV
19-06-2012
Originally Posted by JulesandSand:
“It's my understanding that a charging device will only draw the current it requires.

I take the charger with the highest current rating I have and it charges my phone, tablet and Kindle.”

This. Take the charger that can deliver the highest current. If you have a let's say iPad, it will be iPads' charger, because it needs (I think) 1A to charge, which is more that the usual 0.5A current. It should be written on the charger what the current it can deliver is.
JulesandSand
19-06-2012
Just to clarify my post, when I wrote 'charging device' I was talking about the device being charged not the charger itself.

Sloppy English.

My Asus Transformer charger also charged my son's iPhone OK.
flagpole
19-06-2012
Originally Posted by JulesandSand:
“It's my understanding that a charging device will only draw the current it requires.

I take the charger with the highest current rating I have and it charges my phone, tablet and Kindle.”

this ^

take the charger for the device that requires the most power. generally this is going to be the biggest device. a pad or the smartest phone.

they are all 5v but the larger devices will require more current.
ident4
19-06-2012
Thanks for the replies

Actually found an article here that explains things quite well. The comments are also worth a look to see the quirks and exceptions
JulesandSand
19-06-2012
Originally Posted by ident4:
“Thanks for the replies

Actually found an article here that explains things quite well. The comments are also worth a look to see the quirks and exceptions”

Interesting to see the US double AC socket with USB ports.
gomezz
19-06-2012
One exception to universality is that Creative devices need specially wired USB chargers and generic chargers do not work with them. One reason why if and when I get a new MP3 player Creative will be off my shopping list.
IvanIV
19-06-2012
Sony eBook readers (at least PRS-300 and 600) refused to be charged via a generic USB charger. The reader had to be plugged in in a running computer and mapped as a drive, only then it started charging I guess they needed to move those proprietary and expensive chargers Sony offered for them.
c4rv
19-06-2012
Originally Posted by JulesandSand:
“Interesting to see the US double AC socket with USB ports.”

you can also get them over here now,

http://www.ukelectricalsupplies.com/...Port.htm#terms
Mark.
20-06-2012
Originally Posted by IvanIV:
“This. Take the charger that can deliver the highest current. If you have a let's say iPad, it will be iPads' charger, because it needs (I think) 1A to charge, which is more that the usual 0.5A current. It should be written on the charger what the current it can deliver is.”

I tried to charge my Galaxy S2 with my iPad charger and the phone restarted itself.

I'm not sure what the problem would be, though, because the voltage is the same and it's up to the device to draw the current it requires.
alan1302
20-06-2012
Originally Posted by c4rv:
“you can also get them over here now,

http://www.ukelectricalsupplies.com/...Port.htm#terms”

Think they are a good idea - I expect they will get more common...as long as they don't change to a differt standard!
c4rv
20-06-2012
Originally Posted by alan1302:
“Think they are a good idea - I expect they will get more common...as long as they don't change to a differt standard!”

I have seen a few comments which do query the safety seeing as you are basically burying a transformer in the wall.
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