Ask HN: Is there any kind of USB-C tester?

14 points by themagician 3y ago ↗ HN

Does anyone know if there exists any kind of method (hardware or software) to test USB-C cables to determine their capabilities? Over the last few years I've probably accumulated 40+ USB-C cables in various lengths and specifications. Most of them aren't well labeled. I don't know their power specs. I don't know there bandwidth rating. Sometimes I plug one in only to realize after 10 minutes of fiddling with it that it's power only.

Often when I get a new device I buy a brand new USB-C cable to avoid having to go into this bin of snakes, only to forget to label it and have it fall into the bin itself.

6 comments

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ahazred8ta 3y ago ↗

Yes, there are cable testers. https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/smart-office/using-the...

themagician 3y ago ↗

Now THIS is what I was looking for. Thanks mate.

FatalLogic 3y ago ↗

There's a capable sub-$100 USB tester that has USB-A and USB-C connector versions, which has been rebranded or cloned or ripped off in various names, such as Shizuku/Yanke and Avhzy. I think Shizuku and Yanke may be the original design.

This review is a little old but gets into some detail and mentions most of the common brandnames under which the tester can be found online

https://usbchargingblog.wordpress.com/2021/01/07/shizuku-avh...

Warning: This tester has the capability to damage connected devices, by the user deliberately ignoring and over-riding the device's maximum power request, but only if it's used very carelessly

eande 3y ago ↗

My go to device for a quick check and at $17 hard to beat retrieving basic values of the usb connection like current/power/other. https://www.amazon.com/Eversame-Multimeter-Voltmeter-Indicat...

moremetadata 3y ago ↗

For a software solution, I'd recommend a search engine which lets you ask what the bandwidth is and power rating for said cables.

Perhaps Google or Bing will be demonstrating something soon if their search engines don't already do this.

epakai 3y ago ↗

I usually just grab a fast device (SSD), and a 'watch -n 0.5 lsusb -t' command. It is enough to quickly see what bandwidth the device connects with.

I went through everything this way when my usb bin overflowed. Now I have a 2.0, and a 3.x bin and it is enough to quicky find what I want.

For power testing I have a Plugable usb c meter, and a Uni-t UT658dual. Neither of these is very smart or standalone though. They are enough to see what voltage is negotiated and how much current is drawn.