What cable is needed for fast charging. Choosing a mains charger

Complete with any smartphone goes a proprietary cable for charging and synchronization, but in modern life it is not enough. We carry our smartphone with us all the time and actively use it, so we may need to charge the device at any time. The reality is that ideally there should be three cables: at home, at work and in your backpack. In addition, like any accessory, cables often get lost or may become unusable.

In general, a spare cable is always relevant. How to choose a suitable option that will last a long time?

You should always start with this, because if the cable does not fit into the connector, you will not be able to charge or transfer data. And if you are too zealous, you can damage the smartphone connector - the cable should always be inserted without additional effort and remain in the desired position.

If you have a smartphone under Android control or Windows, then it is almost certainly charging via standard port micro-USB, which means you need one of these cables. At the other end they have a USB port for connecting to a computer or charger.

New Android and Windows smartphones are sometimes equipped with a universal USB-C connector; KNOW-HOW also already has cables for it, for example, Belkin USB-C to Micro-USB.

If you have an iPhone, then you need a cable with a Lightning connector - for example, NewGrade FlatWire. By the way, these cables are universal: suitable for both Lightning and microUSB.

Cord shape and material

The shape and material of the cord determine how long it will last and how convenient it will be to use the accessory.

The simplest option is a round cable in flexible polymer (rubber or plastic) insulation, for example, Belkin Micro-USB Charge/Sync Cable. Its advantages are its relatively low price and compactness (easy to roll up and put in your pocket). But such a cable will last less than others, and it gets tangled more often.

Flat cable (NewGrade Fashion, etc.) gets tangled much less often, so it does not break as often due to the formation of knots. In addition, it is easier to carefully roll it up and takes up little space.

A spring cable, such as the Belkin MicroUSB Cable Charge Sync, is another convenient option. If you charge your smartphone on at different distances from sockets, carry a power bank with you and regularly synchronize the device with your computer, appreciate its advantages. There is no need to twist it at all - just detach it and put it in your pocket! But you should handle it carefully - if the cable does get tangled, you will have to spend a few minutes to return the wire to its original appearance.

A fabric-braided cable is the most reliable option. So, or its analogues will serve for years. The only drawback is that it is not as compact as other options.

The cable length should be taken with a small margin. On the one hand, it’s good if it doesn’t sag much and you can’t get caught on it (which means the risk of damaging the cable itself and the connected smartphone is lower). On the other hand, if the cable is pulled tight, the plug can come out of the connector at any time, it is more difficult to find a suitable socket, sometimes it is simply difficult to place the smartphone on the table, you have to leave it on the floor or in another place not intended for it.

Short cables, such as the USB NewGrade Business, are 1 m long. For charging at home on your bedside table or desk, you usually don't need more.

The average length is 1.2-1.5 m. This is an Apple-certified Belkin Flat Lightning to USB cable, EnergEA Nylotough Micro-USB Quick Charging Cable and other models.

KNOW-HOW has longer cables - for example, two-meter Belkin USB-C to Micro-USB Charge Cable. Another option is the Belkin MicroUSB Cable Charge Sync spring cable, length – 1.8 m, there is no need to twist it, because it does not sag!

Connector material

Even this property is important when choosing a cable for a smartphone. Metal today competes with traditional plastic: it better protects the most vulnerable area - the plug.

Cables with a plastic plug are inexpensive, and there is a wider choice: from the simplest Belkin Flat Lightning to USB to the EnergEA NyloTough Lightning USB Cable in nylon braid.

EnergEA AluBlaze Lightning to USB cable and its analogues - cables with an aluminum plug. They are more reliable and have a futuristic modern design, the connectors do not become loose over time.

Many people, when choosing a cable to charge their phone, smartphone or tablet, never, or almost never, pay attention to its characteristics. They just buy cheaper ones, thinking that they are all the same and why pay more. But in vain, and now we will try to figure out why. After reading this article until the end, you can choose the right power cable for your device with almost 100% probability, without putting it in danger and saving your time and nerves. Let's start with the fact that a high-quality cable must be supplied in individual packaging and this is not a marketing ploy, but a vital necessity, since the packaging must indicate the main specifications, which will help you navigate whether the selected cable suits your needs or not. From wrong choice the performance, performance, and even the health of your device may suffer. So, first things first. Material. Cable covering. The durability of the cable directly depends on the quality of the material. During operation, the power cable is constantly subject to bending and repeated connections to your device. There are many types of coating from conventional polymer to steel or fabric braids. A cable in a fabric or metal braid is practically eternal, it can be damaged by deliberate rough handling or misuse. Naturally, such a cable costs a little more, but this pays off over years of trouble-free operation. Plug material. Plugs, or more precisely, plug protection, can be made of plastic or metal. Most cables are manufactured with plastic protection, but you can purchase one with metal protection if needed to better protect the most vulnerable area - the plug. Conductor material (core). Most important question when choosing a power cable. But it is quite difficult to control it. Reputable manufacturers of quality cables indicate this (core material) on the packaging. Copper is considered the most ideal conductor in power cables. Tinned copper is used in especially reliable cables. Tinning is optional protective covering conductor, which prevents oxidation, for example, if the cable is stored in a room with variable humidity or you constantly carry it with you in any weather. Manufacturers of consumer goods may, in pursuit of cheapness, use cheaper materials (aluminum or steel) or reduce the length. The result is a short cable that is inconvenient to use, or if such a cable is made long, it will not be able to provide the required charging current. And if you try to maintain this parameter, the cable will turn out to be quite thick and bulky. Guaranteed charging current. The characteristics of charging cables and chargers always indicate this important parameter as the guaranteed charge current that the cord can provide, of course, provided that Charger designed for such loads. This parameter is designated by the letter A and it looks, for example, on chargers, something like this - Output: DC 3.6 V - 9.0 V 2.0A. Output - means that this is the resulting output parameter. 2.0 A is the parameter we are interested in, which means what maximum charging current the charger can provide, or in our case, what maximum charging current the cable can pass through. It would seem, what could be wrong with a piece of wire terminated with two suitable connectors? It turns out there are a number of nuances. The charge current in a charging cable is affected by the conductor core diameter, core material and length. The longer the cable, the larger the core diameter should be. And it turns out that not only can the cable not provide the necessary current to charge your device, but it also breaks very quickly, since steel and aluminum are less ductile and flexible. That’s why, when you charge your device, you can’t understand why it won’t charge in 4 hours. Or if you are trying to charge it from USB port and the computer either synchronizes, but it either doesn’t charge, or it goes very slowly. And all because it’s in your hands cheap cable with unknown core material and cross-section. If such a cable produces anything with chargers, then the USB port itself produces 0.5 A, and with a low-quality cable it will be impossible not to charge the device, not to synchronize for data transfer. Many have seen a 20-30 cm power cable included with gadgets, and this cannot be called anything other than a mockery of the user. Because it is not clear how a smartphone or tablet will be charged - will it hang on this cord? From the above, we can conclude that a high-quality charging cable must be of the required length, convenient for the user, and at the same time provide the necessary charging current. That is why a high-quality cable is sold in individual packaging indicating the characteristics (length, charge current, sheath material and conductor material). In our store you can only choose quality cables power supplies from trusted manufacturers, as well as other accessories (chargers, car kits, cases, safety glass and other)

With replacement charging cable Almost every smartphone owner has to face this problem. There are many options here: from expensive original accessories to cheap cords of dubious manufacture. Whichever one you choose, there are a few things to consider when purchasing.

Determine the cord type

An obvious but necessary step. There are several types of smartphone charging cables. The most common is a cable with a microUSB connector. However, on some modern phones used USB Type-C. This plug differs from the previous one in that it can be inserted into the connector on either side. iPhone cords use Lightning. By the way, when purchasing such a cable, you need to look for the MFi inscription on the packaging - it indicates that the product is certified by Apple.

Where can I get it?

Check the current capacity of the cord

The original cords are designed for the current supplied by the charger. When purchasing a cheaper accessory, be sure to check what current this cable can carry. If, for example, the charger produces 2 A, but the cord can only transmit 0.6–0.7 A, then the charging time of the smartphone will increase significantly, and in some cases the gadget may not charge at all. Sometimes, due to such cords, the smartphone battery fails.

The current strength that the cable conducts can be indicated on the packaging of the accessory or given in the product description in the online store.

Decide on the form

Charging cords mainly come in three types: round, flat and twisted. The first type is the most common. It is characterized by durability and long service life. The second one is well suited for travel, as it gets tangled less and takes up almost no space when folded. The third is designed for charging in cars: such a cable will not get tangled underfoot.

Where can I get it?

Select braid material

The braid of the cord can be made of plastic, fabric, metal, silicone, leather. The most short-lived are cords with plastic braiding. The most durable and reliable ones are made from metal, but they are expensive. Cords with fabric braiding are less prone to damage, so they are well suited for constant carrying.

How is a USB cable different from other cables? The main parameters when choosing a USB cable are standards, markings and size.

Almost everything for today multimedia devices equipped with a USB connector. Sometimes the connection occurs through an extension cord, and not directly to the port.

You need to choose the USB cable correctly. Firstly, each cable has its own marking. For example, HIGH-SPEED 2.and 028AWG/2C+28AWG/2C.

So, if you need a cable that supports the USB 2.0 standard. or 3.0., then the inscription should read “USB High speed cable 2.0”. USB standard 2.0. does not support cable marked 1.1.

A standard high-speed USB 2.0 cable consists of one 28 AWG twisted pair to carry data and a pair of conductors to carry power from 20 AWG to 28AWG. In addition, the USB cable must be shielded.

When transmitting a signal when USB help it is important that it does not fade. Therefore, when choosing a suitable USB cable, you need to determine the required size.

For example, the marking "28 AWG/1P.....", the first numbers mean the maximum length of the USB cable - 28 AWG = 81 centimeters. If 26 AWG, then the cable length is up to 1 meter 31 cm. With markings 24 AWG, 22 AWG, 20 AWG, the cable length can be up to 2.08 meters, 3.33 meters and 5.00 meters, respectively.

Therefore, if the length of a USB extension cable is 5 meters, but there are two pairs of 28 AWG wires inside it, then it does not comply with the standards. At this length it should be 20 AWG.

Another cable with a length of 1.8 and marked 24 AWG (which implies a maximum length of up to 2 meters) complies with the standard. That is, the actual length of the cord should not exceed the maximum permissible data indicated on the cable.

The marking also contains other data: a note that the cable is shielded - Shield; wires twisted into a pair - P (Pair); two conductors - 2C.

At the end of the USB cable there is a small thickening, a ferrite ring. It works as a filter against RF interference and is present in all high-quality USB cables. On some extension cords it is located at both ends.

If the USB cable is incorrectly selected, the speed of data transfer may be significantly reduced. Also, the system may not recognize a device connected via USB or simply stop seeing it at any time.

The longer the cable, starting from 3 meters, the more problems may arise. To guarantee stable work USB devices, you need to choose a USB cable that is as short and thick as possible. Then, when transmitting data, there will be less resistance and less signal attenuation.

Combining all that has been written, we can conclude:

• to choose a high-quality USB cable, you need to check the compliance maximum length and AWG values;
• the inscription on the cable should read HIGH-SPEED 2.0;
• at least one end of the extension cord must have a ferrite barrel;
• The cable length should be as short as possible.

Are there people who have never had their charger cable break?

Everyone is familiar with the tips for increasing the service life of the cord: installing a regular small spring at the base of the plug, minimizing bends, careful storage, and so on. But all (or almost all) of these actions only delay the day when there will be a need to go to a mobile electronics store for a new accessory.

When purchasing a USB cable, there is a problem logical question: which one to choose so as not to make a mistake? The answer depends on many factors, because for some people the charging speed is important, and for others the main thing is that the color of the cable matches the new case. Let's figure it out.

Types of USB cables

The first step is to decide on the type of cable. This is not difficult, because there are only three of them: micro-USB, USB Type-C and Lightning. In our case, everything is simpler, because Lightning is necessary iPhone owners, but for now it is used only on flagship devices. In most cases the choice will fall on micro-USB, but just in case you need to make sure of this one hundred percent.

Does it make sense to overpay?

The main function of the cord is to synchronize your smartphone with a charger or computer, so when making a purchase you need to pay attention to the quality of the materials and the country of origin. A high-quality cord may be a little more expensive, but it's worth it. A cable made of high-quality materials can speed up both smartphone charging and data transfer with a computer. More high speed due to lower resistance.

Example: we have a charger that produces 2A, a cheap analogue from China for $2, and a high-quality cord that costs several times more. When comparing both cables, the charging process will be different, since through a cheap cord the current will be from 0.3 to 0.6A, which is, on average, 3-4 times slower than through a high-quality original USB cable. Overpay a couple of hundred and remove the phone from charging after 1-2 hours, or save money and charge the phone for 3-6 hours - the choice is obvious.

USB cable specifications

Material, presence of light indicators, length and a bunch of other factors are pricing parameters. It is important to understand what of all this is really necessary.

Material. A very important parameter, and this refers to both the material of the plug (plastic or metal) and the cord itself, which can be wrapped in fabric. It’s not only pleasant to look at, but also to know that the cable will last several times longer.

Form . It is also an important factor on which the lifespan of the accessory depends. So, there are three main shapes: round, flat and the so-called “spring”. The round shape has a low cost compared to its rivals, and that’s where its advantages end. Flat shape differs in that it hardly gets tangled (at least less than the previous one) and does not take up space in your pocket/backpack/any other place where the cable is stored. You just need to roll it several times to make it compact. Last on the list, but not least, the option is “spring”. It is compact, convenient and original, but if it somehow gets tangled, it may take several minutes to restore its previous shape. The cheapest cable will be round, the most expensive will be spring-shaped.

Length . Selected exclusively individually. What depends on the length? The charging speed of a shorter cable is higher, but not significantly (in fact, it is not noticeable). It is logical to choose a long wire if the outlet is located far from the sofa/nightstand/bed/any place where the smartphone is charged.

Light indicators. LEDs built into the plugs that light up when the smartphone is connected to a charger or any other device. This is more of an overpayment and a kind of “gadget” than a useful thing.

Color . In terms of characteristics, this factor does not affect anything. Sometimes users try to choose a power supply and cable of the same color for aesthetic reasons. There is no other meaning to this. Cord white It’s easier to find in the dark, in a car, in a mess, but it gets dirty noticeably more often. No matter how beautiful the colors are, they are not worth the overpayment, because the iridescent wire makes the phone.

All of the above parameters have a greater impact on price than on quality, so there is no need to focus on them.

Results

If the cord is out of order and there is no way to charge the phone, you first need to decide on the type of connector. Having fulfilled the basic condition, you can go to the store and choose a cord, paying attention to the manufacturer, quality, material and length. If funds allow, you can experiment with color, shape and LEDs.