USB Charging
Introduction
USB was introduced in 1995 and quickly became one of the most essential pieces of equipment to own! From plugging a mouse into your PC, charging your laptop or mobile phone to plugging in external hard drives/printers or cameras.
What does USB stand for?
Universal Serial Bus
USB Functionality
Since 1995 USB has been transformed, with each USB version the speed at which data can be transferred has increased along with additional functionality.
| VERSION | NAME | RELEASE DATE | TRANSMISSION RATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB 1.1 | Full Speed USB | 1998 | 12 Mbps |
| USB 2.0 | High Speed USB | 2000 | 480 Mbps |
| USB 3.0 | SuperSpeed USB | 2008 | 5 Gbps |
| USB 3.1 | SuperSpeed+ | 2013 | 10 Gbps |
Frequently Asked USB Questions
How does USB charging work?
When it comes to USB charging there is always one host and one device, power comes from the host (ie: PC) to the device (ie: mobile phone) and data carries freely between them both. A USB cable contains 4 wires and a USB socket contains 4 pins. The pins on the the outside provide a 5v power supply while the inside pins carry data.
Is USB charging slow?
This all depends on the USB charging sockets amperage. iPads typically require around 2.1amps to charge but a smartphone would only need around 1.0amp. Our new TUF-R® A+C USB charger offers different supply voltages depending on the device being charged. When a device is plugged into either the Type A or Type C socket a digital ‘handshake’ takes place allowing the TUF to charge the device at the optimum level.
Are all USB ports the same?
No, there is one standard and many different connectors. Below is a breakdown of the different types of USB connector.
What is the difference between a phone USB charger and a tablet USB charger?
Tablet chargers generally have a higher rating than phone chargers, check the rating of the chargers, this is to ensure that the output is correct for your device. Just because they have the same physical connection doesn’t mean that the output will be the same. Incorrect charge could mean damage to your device and the potential risk of overheating and fire.
What can you charge with a USB?
Smartphones, Tablets, Digital cameras, dash cameras, Satellite navigation systems, Kindles and other reading devices, Portable bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth headphones, Wearable tech (GPS watches), Fitness devices and wristbands and Battery power banks.
Different Types of USB Connector
USB-C
The newest version of USB is USB C, USB C is reversible and slim and is used for charging phones and tablets.
USB B
USB-A
USB 3.0 Micro B
USB Micro B
USB Mini/Micro
USB Mini/Micro is used for charging older mobile phones, MP3 players and digital cameras.
TUF-R® PD (25W)
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