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0 pointscesarb7y ago0 comments

> The worst part about USB-C is that it can be implemented so wrong it bricks your device!

The miswiring that bricked his device, swapping GND and VBUS, could also happen with older USB plugs. There's nothing specific to USB-C about it, USB plugs have a defined polarity for the power pins since the very first version of the standard.

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9 comments · 3 top-level

Retric7y ago· 3 in thread

USB-C can send significantly more power, which makes it harder to protect devices in these cases.

nickysielicki7y ago

It only happens after negotiation, so the higher potential wattage plays no role here. You'd need both a bad cable and an out-of-spec wall wart.

inetknght7y ago

Do you think that combination of circumstances is rare enough that we shouldn't wonder about it?

BeeOnRope7y ago

The failure can happen after negotiation, right?

dcbadacd7y ago· 3 in thread

There's also the Nintendo Switch issue

gumby7y ago

That was due to non-compliance on Nintendo's part, hardly a USB Type C issue.

jabl7y ago

If the spec is so complex even a relatively big and stable corp like Nintendo can't get it right, well, maybe the spec is (partly) to blame?

Wasn't it that the switch asked for a lower voltage but the charger didn't have that mode and it gave the switch a tad more juice?

kevin_thibedeau7y ago

Mitigating hardware damage is also the responsibility of the device manufacturers. Any external cable carrying power could experience a short circuit due to a fault. All USB hosts are required to limit current to deal with that. If they fail, it isn't the cable's fault.

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