This tool for finding bad USB-C cables

quiescentcurrent@discuss.tchncs.de to Technology@lemmy.world – 249 points –
USB-C Cable Tester Is Compact And Affordable
hackaday.com

EEVBlog also talked about this in a mailbag episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEZQvSgdA2k&t=1839s

And they also have different cable versions available: https://caberqu.com/

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If it tested the resistance i would be great.

No point; resistance is futile.

I'll just see myself out.

You still need a multimeter, but the one I have (Treedix.com) has easily accessible electrical contacts for testing resistance.

Is it common for USB-C cables to go bad? I just had a cable for an Xbox controller start to go bad somehow in a way I hadn't seen before. When plugged in, it will cause the Xbox to power off. Swapping out the cable, but using the same controller made the problem go away, so it's definitely the cable causing it. It's the same USB-C cable we had been using for awhile with this controller, it's what came with it.

I have a USB-C cable that will only work in a specific orientation. So I'll plug in a device, laptop won't recognize it, (sigh) unplug and flip the cable, and then everything works.

it's not that they go bad. this tool can tell you what features are on the cable because the cables vary a lot.

It's not the cable that goes bad it's the connectors on the ends: They wear out.

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There are superior versions of this that include every physical USB port (A, B, C, Micro, Mini, and even lightning) so that you can test any cable instead of just type C to type C.

Link? i have this one only

Hereโ€™s the one I use: https://treedix.com/products/treedix-usb-cable-tester-board-usb-cable-checker-data-wire-with-acrylic-case-charging-test-data-line-type-c-micro-type-a-type-b

The exposed pads are also fantastic to break out data lines for measurement when performing electronics repairs.

That's awesome.

Have you ever seen it with a real case, not just the acrylic "cover"? I'd like to be able to hand it to someone and not worry about the guts. Yea, I could print something, but frankly I can't be arsed, lol.

Mine didnโ€™t come with a case, itโ€™s a very simple circuit so not much concern of ESD causing a problem.

It basically just runs power through every pin on the cable to illuminate corresponding LEDs.

Oh, for sure. Just non-tech friends give me the squint eye when I hand em things like this (I'm known for using duct tape and goop on stuff, haha).

Am I missing something here or is this roughly the same what you get for 4 bucks from China? I mean, 30 euros plus shipping is a lot for a cable tester imo

Do you trust the $4 tester from China to test the suspect cheap cables from China?

50% failure rate of the cables and 50% failure of the tester means a problem will be found 100% of the time, but it dmwont tell you where. Or something.

Oh man! Super happy to see his channel on here. Dave is the shit and is the only reason I can half ass solder things. His intro soldering videos are great.

Consider using a USB-C analyzer or connections tester. These devices can provide information about the cable's performance, power delivery capabilities, and compliance with USB standards.

Given the common frustration with dodgy or underperforming USB-C cables, this seems like a straightforward solution to weed out the bad ones. The community's insights and additional resources like the YouTube review and alternative products enrich the conversation further. y9