Hacker News Reader

Comment by rektide | Hacker News Reader

USB finally carrying non bullshit-ly low voltages is a huge obvious upgrade in usb-pd. I'm ecstatic to hear about recent extended power range modes that go all the way up to 48v @ 5a (240w). that usb-c connector continues to impress.

can you clarify what you mean by obvious directionality?

View on HN

At first I read this as upstream vs downstream, which USB-A and USB-B connectors did illustrate, but usually not for much purpose. What the other poster means is cable orientation. Especially the FW-400 plug was very obviously asymmetrical so it was easy to plug in the correct way.

The actual connectors for USB A are bullshit. It only goes in two ways, but you still have to get it wrong twice before you can connect it.

Even with micro and mini USB it's not easy to slot them into the receptacle without squinting at the male end.

USB Mini-A was a little more obviously keyed: http://www.penguin.cz/~utx/hardware/USB_Mini/

Sorry for this approach. Lammy could you please contact me about an issue related to another topic discussion (CS3). I really need some help and I think you could. Email: oje.grafico@gmail.com

You got mail.

Mini-USB I agree, but at least Micro-USB allows you to run your fingers over the male side to feel for the prongs. It's unfortunately still a guessing game which way the female side is though.

Imagine how many cumulative hours, or human lifetimes, have been wasted just from people trying to plug in USB-A cords repeatedly.

240w should take a pretty thick cable, and serious connectors.

USB-C already carries rather complex wires for high-speed data transfers. Combined with 48v insulation, the cables are going to become even thicker and stiffer.

This random table I found [0] says 23 gauge, or just over 0.5mm as the minimum size for transmitting 5 amps over short distances. But that’s probably for a solid conductor, so braided would be a bit thicker I guess.

Still, it’s not that thick, since only one pair of the 6(?) needs to take the current.

[0] https://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

Reply on news.ycombinator.com