There is a reason for USB-C extensions not to be part of the standard. They can be bothersome in the best case and dangerous in the worst.

  • Margot Robbie
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    2881 day ago

    If you want a more detailed explanation, USB-C is a small connector that was designed primarily for data transfer, extended power range delivery (240w) was essentially hacked on to the standard. Electricity arcing between the contacts on the connector is the biggest challenge with this hack, since the contacts are small and very close together, which could burn out the circuit board and start fires. For EPR to work safely, there needs to be a lot of extra components on the circuit board/female connector side, which there simply isn’t enough space for on an f2m extension cable.

    As for why USB-C cables are so short, it’s simply a matter of physics, carrying high speed data over larger distances would result in higher losses and requires thicker conductors and more shielding, which is why you don’t see USB4 Gen3 cables over 1 meter unless they are optical, and longer “charging cables” are only rated at USB 2.0 speeds, because more often than not they don’t even have the USB 3.x data pins on their connector.

    • @[email protected]
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      6 hours ago

      It’s amazing for a “standard” that there can be so many non-standard ways to do it. Your explanation is great and just reminded me that cable tester tools are a really good idea to have at home. There was one in Kickstarter earlier this year, I think, that was a really smart idea. I don’t recall what it was nqmed though. Maybe you have heard of it? I’ll see if I can find it.

      Regardless, there are some devices that really need a specific type of usb-c cable to function properly and/or not burn the circuitry. (i.e. Nintendo Switch, the original release model (though, they may have fixed it in later hardware revisions))

      Edit: Found it! That cable tester that I was referring to was called the BLE CaberQU. I think it is a really neat idea.

    • @Agent641
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      8723 hours ago

      You are a brilliant woman of many talents, Margot Robbie!

      • Margot Robbie
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        7921 hours ago

        That’s esteemed Academy Award nominated character actress Margot Robbie to you!

        Also, thank you.

    • @[email protected]
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      1618 hours ago

      I have this cable: https://www.spigen.com/products/arcwire-usb-c-to-usb-c-cable-pb2202

      It’s 2 meters long, 240 watts and supports Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 (40 gbps).

      I couldn’t test the 240 watts charging as I don’t have any device pulling more than 100 watts, but the Thunderbolt 4 part definitely works.

      Apple sells a 3 meter Thunderbolt 4 cable (albeit limited to 100 watts of power) that isn’t optical either (I think there’s some special circuitry in the plugs though).

      • @flames5123
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        1413 hours ago

        $90 for a cable and it’s not even braided is wild to me.

        • @stoicmaverick
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          46 hours ago

          I prefer not braided. Both for cables and hair. More of a ponytail kinda guy myself.

      • Margot Robbie
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        2618 hours ago

        You’re right. Those are active cables which I forgot to mention earlier that have special circuits that amplify signals, but are also a lot more expensive as a result.

        • @[email protected]
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          -69 hours ago

          Will I get banned if I don’t call this person Margot Robbie, because they claim to identify as a famous Hollywood actress?

    • @[email protected]
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      13 hours ago

      It’s a great explanation. However you have some pretty egregious use of commas that made it a lot more confusing. I had to read it over multiple times to fully understand.

      It may seem like nitpicking but these subtle issues end up making it harder to comprehend and overall results in more time and effort for everyone you’re trying to inform.

      • セリャスト
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        27 hours ago

        Some languages have a very different usage of comas. Maybe OP’s mother tongue is one of those

      • @Argonne
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        510 hours ago

        Didn’t have any issues reading it. Come off it

      • @[email protected]
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        712 hours ago

        You know you explained a topic pretty damn accurately when the Stranger On The Internet can only use the good ol’ “too many commas’” argument to bring you down.

        • @[email protected]
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          28 hours ago

          Why are you assuming he’s trying to bring the guy down? He could genuinely have a problem parsing the comment and you’re here just dismissing his experience.

          I didn’t know that assuming your experience applies to everyone is generally accepted in Lemmy nowadays, considering the voting ratio.

          I don’t agree with his point that there are too many commas, but implying that his experience is faked and his comment is made due to malicious intent is just particularly stupid.

          • @[email protected]
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            149 minutes ago

            My comment was intended more to praise OP than to deride the person who replied. It was probably worded badly. I guess I should have said something more along the lines of ‘You know your argument is good when the only fault to be found by internet strangers is too many commas’.