mobile phone - Is this data cable able to charge a device?
2014-04
Victor
Is this data cable able to charge a mobile phone device? http://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-Data-cable-Samsung-SGH-E250/dp/B002TK0K68
(Sorry, I'm not a native english speaker - does Power supply via USB port mean that I can charge a device with it?)
Thank you, Sina
jdh
To be a bit more accurate (and understanding that the question translated to English might not reflect your true question) - No. No cable can charge a device. What this cable will do is connect two devices using a USB cable; a host with a (pretty much universal) USB 'A' female jack connector and a 'client' with a micro 'B' (pretty much the new standard for USB mobile devices).
Assuming that the host device can supply enough amperage that the client device demands for charging its battery, then using this cable connected as such can charge your device. Note that some mobile devices require more amperage for charging than the USB 2.0 specification (0.5amps) - notably most apple mobile devices. USB 3.1 increased this limit to 5amps. This is why charging on PC's and Mac's doesn't always work.
If you are using a stand alone charging device whose only purpose is to supply power charging, the 0.5 amp limit is ignored. Most devices will use the data lines of the USB socket to detect if this is possible. This Wikipedia article is a good summary of USB charging.
You didn't ask about data transfer, but these types of inexpensive cables sometimes are poor data cables - suffering from line interference causing enough transmissions errors that result in failure. A rough visual assessment of the cable's diameter indicates how well insulated the data lines are. Something very thin aren't insulated and might be poor data cables.
Matthew Williams
Most cables you buy which connect your phone to a computer will also charge your phone. This one specifically mentions in the page it will charge your phone. So the answer to your question is yes it will charge your device.
Jim
I've got several devices with a mini-B USB receptacle - including my mobile phone/PDA and some headsets. Each came with its own AC adapter. I'm wondering if I can charge any of these devices from any charger with a mini-B USB plug - (1) AC adapter (2) car charger (3) computer USB port with A-to-mini-B cable.
With wall warts I know you've got to match voltage, polarity, DC plug, and the charger must supply enough amps to power the device. But if the charger has a mini-B USB plug, does that take car of the voltage (+5V) and polarity?
Broam
Yes it does, in terms of polarity and voltage, but not current. Some chargers short pin 5 (iirc) in order to tell the device that "hey we're breaking the USB standard here and you can draw more current."
Motorola phones will happily send 750 mA down the line, Blackberries 800 mA (that may be reversed). Usually extra current is just extra capacity and you're fine--it won't hurt a device. Under-current, however, will most likely fail to charge. Poorly designed devices may malfunction.
The USB 2.0 standard is for a device to draw 100 mA--and then ask for more current; most devices don't follow that part of the standard. (I have a device that does...and it has a mode that says "draw 500mA no matter what")
USB 3.0 will increase the currents allowed to 900 mA, and allow 150mA inital draw.
RiddlerDev
I have had a problem with our GPS. It and my blackberry have a mini-usb connection, yet the GPS does not work on that charger. I would have said no for sure before I saw this with my own eyes, as I would think the very nature of USB would require the same size to work the same way.
Ivo Flipse
I think if it's the mini USB plug it's a standard connector and can be used on any device.
So far my HTC Hero hasn't had any trouble with the wires I got for other devices.
AnonJr
Check the Voltage/amperage:
- If they match then there shouldn't be any reason why it wouldn't.
- If they don't match, I wouldn't bet my equipment on it.