What The Tech: Cables and chargers for your tech devices
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Tech Reporter
Many students are heading back to school with a Chromebook, iPad or laptop they are expected to charge at home. Because many newer devices use the same USB-C connection, it may seem like any charger or cable that fits should work. That is not always the case.
An older phone charger may connect to a tablet or laptop, but it may not provide nearly enough power to charge it properly.
Check the wattage on the charging block
You probably have several older charging blocks around the house with a rectangular USB-A connection. They may still work well for older phones and smaller devices, but many are to o weak for laptops and Chromebooks.
The power information is printed in small type on the back of the block. For example, a charger labeled “5V 1A” supplies five volts at one amp. That equals just five watts of power.
Many school laptops use chargers capable of 30, 45 watts or more. A five-watt block may charge extremely slowly, fail to charge the laptop at all or allow the battery to continue draining while the computer is being used. The cable may fit, but the power is not even close.
USB-C cables are not all the same
The charging block is only half of the equation. USB-C cables may look nearly identical, but they do not necessarily support the same amount of power. One may work well with a phone or tablet but charge a laptop slowly.
Others are designed primarily for transferring data and may not charge a laptop at all. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell them apart once they are removed from their original packaging.
Apple and other manufacturers sell USB-C cables rated for different power levels, including 60 watts and 240 watts. However, that rating may not be clearly printed on the cable itself. Once several cables are tossed into a drawer, identifying the right one can become nearlyimpossible.
What parents should look for
Before buying a replacement charger, check the wattage on the charger that came with the device. The replacement should provide at least that much power. Look for a USB-C charger that supports Power Delivery, often abbreviated as “PD.” A USB-C cable rated for 60 watts is a practical choice for tablets and many Chromebooks and school laptops. More powerful laptops may require a cable rated for 100 watts or more.
Keeping the original packaging can help. Another option is to label each cable and charging block with the device it belongs to.
Finally, replace damaged charging cables. If a cord is frayed, the connector feels loose or the cable becomes unusually hot, do not keep using it. The most important thing to remember is simple: just because a charger fits does not mean it is the right charge
