News - New USB standard will deliver up to 100W of power

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Eliminating proprietary, platform-specific chargers.

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Read more.

So is this going to be done by voltage adjustment or just pumping out more current? I'm really not sure I like the idea of 20A flowing down my USB cable... :o

Wouldn't it be 8.3 amps?

Power (100W) = Voltage (12?) x Current

100 / 12 = 8.3

Things are going to get pretty toasty if they're drawing 8.3A.

Regular USB spec is 5V, not 12v. i.e. 100W at 5v will draw 20A, an insane amount of current for a small cable.

This new power spec allows the voltage to be increased rather than current to achieve greater power levels, presumably by device request.

if they get round the technicalities then im very happy/excited :D, this would make external drives so much easier to use! And alot of other stuff, this is certainly the next step for USB as the speed is already excellent

Finally, we can make real drinks coolers!

Did anyone read the article:

"The new specification will require upgraded electronically detectable “USB Power Delivery certified cables” for the sake of safety"

"and power draw is “negotiated” so connecting low power requirement peripherals won’t cause them to be fried!"


So no, your weedy cable isn't going to suddenly get 100W pumped down it and no, unless the device draws more wattage the port won't output at 100W anyway. Hexus needs to condense the whole article to headline apparently ;)

I wonder if IBM will join in or continue with its own PoweredUSB variant which exists at 5v, 12v and 24v. Their connecters are very good but too bulky for laptop/netbook use and it looks like the Official USB have simply done a mini version to what IBM already have.

I like this idea, I like it very much - the possibility of being able to power more gear with a single cable rather than data cable + separate power brick is something I'd welcome.

I'm also wondering if it'd be possible to replace the multiplicity of power bricks with this tech. So you could (theoretically of course) get a USB "power brick" that you could then use to power NAS and broadband modem/router off of one mains socket.

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That would be a welcome move, just like the Micro-USB standardisation within the mobile industry.

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Apart from Apple of course. :p

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Originally Posted by crossy

Apart from Apple of course. :p

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I'm sure they'll patent a thunderbolt version and it will be "magical"

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Originally Posted by DDY

This new power spec allows the voltage to be increased rather than current to achieve greater power levels, presumably by device request.

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That makes a bit more sense - just ramping up the current flowing through your cables is never a great plan...

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Originally Posted by dangel

Did anyone read the article:
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your weedy cable isn't going to suddenly get 100W pumped down it and no, unless the device draws more wattage the port won't output at 100W anyway.

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Yes, of course I read that :p I was just imagining the size of cables you'd need to carry around if you were going to start pumping 20A into your peripheral items ;) 100W is twice the draw of most laptops :o

not neccesary but ok.

I think this is a fantastic idea!

I like standard charging cables for portable devices, and now it seems we can have the same power supplies for a lot more besides.

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Originally Posted by Funkstar

I think this is a fantastic idea!

I like standard charging cables for portable devices, and now it seems we can have the same power supplies for a lot more besides.

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Couldn't agree more. :thumbsup:

The problem is 1) cheapo cable manufacturers will skimp on materials and use wires too thin for purpose which may melt, maybe even burn 2) people will think their old cables will be suitable to carry such large currents.

USB Power lines are already supposed to be 20 AWG wire, but most cables I see use the same for power and data AWG 28 (thinner). Have even seen some using less than that!

This will not end well.