USB Tester

Somehow I missed your question and created a new topic! In fact my question was identical 🙂

https://forum.dronebotworkshop.com/tools-equipment/usb-voltage-and-current-tester/#post-24316

@dronebot-workshop feel free to merge our threads! 

Hi @theoutlander and  @ronalex4203,

  Just reading your questions, I am immediately wondering if the question posed is too open to have an answer.

USB started as a lowish speed (1.5Mbits/sec), cheap interface that provided a small power source (2.5W) for peripherals like keyboards and mice. A modest priced tester for this scenario maybe realistic.

However, since then it has twice been upgraded physically, as well as the mini and micro variants, and is now specified to supply up to 100W and support 10Gbits/sec data rate.

Comprehensively testing this level of functionality could be a challenge for a small tester!

So maybe it would be helpful to list exactly what aspects and levels of the USB specification you require the tester to check. (Such a list might also be helpful for anyone else contemplating working with USB peripherals.)

Best wishes, Dave

@davee Here are some amazon links to the devices I am thinking of. As far as physical connectors, USB-C, USB-A with adaptors? to fit the most common like Micro-USB. I have adaptors to/from A, C, Micro-USB, also Lightning and Thunderbolt for Apple fans. Some like mini-USB, the special printer USB and I may have missed one might be lower priority but if there is an adaptor from USB-A then it's a moot point. Some of the displays are basic, some are very detailed, some go into vendoe data like Samsung, and I think I saw QC data on one of them. I have no idea if this can be done easily and/or cost effectively but I though it might be of interest to the group in general.

https://www.amazon.ca/Functional-Multimeter-Capacity-Temperature-Detector/dp/B07TS17VB9/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3O7N07FS3ZTK7&keywords=usb+tester&qid=1643482513&sprefix=usb+tester%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-5

https://www.amazon.ca/Digital-Multimeter-Resistance-Capacity-Detector/dp/B08N6XQF91/ref=sr_1_9?crid=3O7N07FS3ZTK7&keywords=usb+tester&qid=1643482513&sprefix=usb+tester%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.ca/Voltmeter-Multimeter-Charging-Protocol-Capacity/dp/B08QMWFQ2H/ref=sr_1_13?crid=3O7N07FS3ZTK7&keywords=usb+tester&qid=1643482513&sprefix=usb+tester%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-13

Hi @ronalex4203 ,

My original comment was saying that the current USB specification is very complex ... and the whole point about testing is that it is never possible to test a complex system completely, so the best that can be done is to specify testing for particular aspects. 

Hence, I was wondering 'What aspects you were interested in checking?'

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Looking briefly at the three 'windows' in your messsage above:

1. First window is 'empty' ... All it is showing is Kindle -- we're sorry this preview is not available'
2. Atorch
3. FNB84 Quick X
    

The two units I could identify both seem to be aim at measuring the charging performance in terms of monitoring the voltage and current flow between a charger and a load. This includes some or all of the newer higher power modes.

Googling the FNB84 brought up a concerning reddit thread, but I have no way of determing the veracity of the alleged claims.   https: //www.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/mg9zlr/do_not_buy_fnb48_usb_tester_more_info_in_comment/ 

As it is quite common for equipment like this to be cloned, with cosmetic differences, if a problem exists, it might apply to more than 1 model.

I had a look at one of the ATorch model reviews. The only test readout of the data lines that I spotted, was a voltage on the USB Data- and Data+ lines. I didn't see stated if this was a DC or AC measurement, though I suspect it might be DC. I didn't see any mention of the two pairs of Superspeed data lines. If this is the only measurement of the Data system, this seems of very limited value.

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Hence, my impression is that if you have a need to measure USB power flow, then there maybe some useful tools, but you should be careful when mixing a 'high voltage' charger/supply with a 5 Volt only load.

I have yet to find any evidence of significant data testing facility.

I hope that is useful discussion to help you focus on your requirements.

Best wishes, Dave

@davee I have no clue what your problem is. If Bill wants to build a tool like this then great, but in the meantime I will probably buy one or two for my own use. Closing this thread now.

Hi @ronalex4203,

  Sorry I seem have got the wrong idea .. I thought you were looking to find one for your own use .. and looking to choose the best one, so I tried to help ... apologies for causing any distress.

Dave

@davee Yes it seems we are looking at the tool two different ways. They are called at least in some cases cable testers and that can be useful, but I also see they are load testers which is also useful. On closer inspection it seems at least some of them can tell you a lot more than I was expecting and since I am a curious guy that interests me. I wish I could remember the exact thing that caused me to look into these tools, but those brain cells must have been scheduled for destruction before I could make a copy.

I am curious what you meant by

1. First window is 'empty' ... All it is showing is Kindle -- we're sorry this preview is not available'

I will try to post what I see, it is an image. I have seen that error before somewhere, you might want to do a thorough virus scan.

Hi @ronalex4203,

  Thanks for replying.

 With regard to the 'empty window' ... I have seen it before on a previous thread, and I think Bill commented at that time. I think it is a Wordpress, or maybe Wordpress plug in, 'feature' that occasionally shows up.

From the picture in your latest reply, that unit also seems to showing the power delivery, which will obviously be a combination of the power source capability and the load demand.

I had previously noticed them on sale in the usual 'bazaars', but couldn't understand why there would be enough potential customers to design and make such 'fancy' versions.

Best wishes and once again, apologies for any confusion or annoyance on my part.

Dave

My original thought was to look at voltage and current (lots of You Tube videos showing them in use), but seeing the possibility of 20V headed to my devices made me think twice about the more sophisticated testers. Saving the data and looking at graphs is .... um ... cool, but probably not a firm requirement in my use case (until "cool" becomes even more of  a standard in my homelab). 

Hi @theoutlander,

  If you have a real need for such an item ... maybe repair mobile phones for a living, and frequently find the charger or battery is the problem, then fine. Otherwise, I am at loss to work out why they are popular ... maybe I have no imagination.

Take care and best wishes,

Dave

@davee It's actually labelled as a cable tester so that is one use and one we as experimenters can use. It also can show voltage and current for USB devices, for us that might help to design a power supply for a USB type powered widget. If you do play with phones, some of them will tell you details of the charger expected, USB detailed specs etc. I assume as did the OP that at least most of us here are curious about all things electronic. How many VOM's do you own? I have 4 IIRC, one in the truck, one on my workbench, and 2 including a clamp on style in my electricians bag in the basement of my full time RV. I did have another, but I think I either gave it away or junked it. Why the 5th you may ask, it was the oldest so lowest tech. My newest on my bench is an auto (measures voltage or resistance without turning the dial) with auto off so no more wasted batteries.