Google Chromebook Pixel Engineer Found Faulty USB-C Cables On Amazon

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USB-C cables have started to flood the market as more devices support the port. However, a Google engineer found out that there are more cables on Amazon that are faulty and it may endanger the device and the user.

Google Engineer, Benson Leung who works under the Chrome OS team, have tried out several USB-C cables that are on sale on the Amazon store.

Leung tested the cables that were sold by Techmatte, Orzly, iOrange, Kupx, CableCreation, Frieq, Belkin, Monba and Juiced Systems. Only a few have actually passed the standard test Leung conducted for the cables via his Chromebook Pixel.

Leung reported that the USB-Cables from iOrange, Belkin and Frieq have passed Leung's test for USB-IF specifications, according to Extreme Tech. However, the others have not fared well.

For instance, the CableCreation adapters did not really support the power level for 3A capability. Leung said that their internal circuitry was not capable and that it could cause problems for the Chromebook Pixel.

Leung also found out that TechMatte's Micro USB to Type C adaptor identified itself as a USB-C cable for the Huawei Nexus 6P, LG Nexus 5X and the OnePlus 2. However, the internal circuitry was found incapable of supporting the Type-C 1.1 specification, according to Ars Technica.

"Specifically, these adapters do not charge the Chromebook Pixel 2015 because the adapters leave the C-C lines floating, where the specification requires a Rp pullup to Vbus to identify the cable as a legacy adapter or cable... In other words, since you are creating a USB Type-C plug to a USB 2.0 Micro-B receptacle assembly, you must use a resistor of value 56kΩ as a pullup to Vbus. This cable does not do this," Leung said in his reviews.

The Google Pixel team engineer said that the USB Type-C will only be as good as its ecosystem and the worst of its ecosystem, according to the International Business Times. Leung have found a way to test the inferior cables earlier this year.

Google Chromebook Pixel users will have to buy from reputable sources of USB-C cables. Using inferior cables may lead to a broken device or even a fire.

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