USB Cable Testers: Do any of you use USB cable testers? We've had four cables fail recently, but we don't know it until we see that the device hasn't charged after several hours. I...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Do any of you use USB cable testers? We've had four cables fail recently, but we don't know it until we see that the device hasn't charged after several hours. I suspect it's one of the connections that went bad, rather than the wire inside the insulation. With a tester, I could check cables occasionally. The ones below are for USB C, so not very useful to me.

https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=usb+cable+tester&crid=8V48G9LBAXI2&sprefix=usb+cable+tester%2Caps%2C73&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

morkie Loc: Simi Valley CA

jerryc41 wrote:

Do any of you use USB cable testers? We've had fo... (show quote)

Add 2.0 and 3.0 to search criteria!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

morkie wrote:

Add 2.0 and 3.0 to search criteria!

Thanks. It looks like there isn't much interest in non-C.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Nah. I've had one cable go bad in 20+ years.
I see no need to periodically check them.
When they "break", I replace them.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

Nah. I've had one cable go bad in 20+ years.
I see no need to periodically check them.
When they "break", I replace them.

I'll find something that lights up when connected. That will be a cheap tester.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

jerryc41 wrote:

I'll find something that lights up when connected. That will be a cheap tester.

There are four wires in a usb cable. Two for 5.1v dc and two for data ( data + and data-). You could check continuity of each wire. Cut off the connectors from an old cable leaving pig tail ends. Use a multimeter to test for continuity of each cable including the connectors. Cheap and effective. Keep in mind, you are only checking dc continuity. High frequencies are another animal. Usually cable failure is a broken wire or defective connector.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

aphelps wrote:

There are four wires in a usb cable. Two for 5.1v dc and two for data ( data + and data-). You could check continuity of each wire. Cut off the connectors from an old cable leaving pig tail ends. Use a multimeter to test for continuity of each cable including the connectors. Cheap and effective. Keep in mind, you are only checking dc continuity. High frequencies are another animal. Usually cable failure is a broken wire or defective connector.

Thanks.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

jerryc41 wrote:

I'll find something that lights up when connected. That will be a cheap tester.

I found a source for really nice cables that have a little green light at the tip that plugs into a device. I bought several of both usb and fire wire. They are the best cables I've found. I will PM you the info once I return to PA. Right now I'm in Charleston, SC for a couple more days.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Bridges wrote:

I found a source for really nice cables that have a little green light at the tip that plugs into a device. I bought several of both usb and fire wire. They are the best cables I've found. I will PM you the info once I return to PA. Right now I'm in Charleston, SC for a couple more days.

Thanks. I like those little "pilot lights." I have a charger that lights up while it's charging and shuts off when it's done.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

jerryc41 wrote:

Do any of you use USB cable testers? We've had fo... (show quote)

My iPhone cables fail,periodically. I don’t know how many I’ve replaced over the years but it’s almost always the lightning plug that goes into the charging port on the phone. I know it’s my fault because I often use the phone with the cable plugged in and since the connection is at the bottom it puts stress on the small end that goes into the phone. I recently bought right-angle connector cords but I think the brand is not the best because the connection is iffy.

Ollieboy

If you don't buy your cables from a dollar store you should be ok.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Here are 3 testers that look useful. I kind of like #2

https://www.amazon.com/Functional-Multimeter-Capacity-Temperature-Detector/dp/B07TS17VB9/ref=sr_1_22?crid=OQ1FE1G5LHQH&keywords=usb+cable+tester+2.0+and+3.0&qid=1647704448&sprefix=usb+cable+tester%2Caps%2C433&sr=8-22

https://www.amazon.com/Yuehuam-Tester-Fixture-Precise-Micro-USB/dp/B07RN68561/ref=sr_1_2?crid=OQ1FE1G5LHQH&keywords=usb+cable+tester+2.0+and+3.0&qid=1647704814&sprefix=usb+cable+tester%2Caps%2C433&sr=8-2

https://www.amazon.com/Testers-KJ-KayJI-Multimeter-Capacity-Temperature/dp/B07X3HST7V/ref=sr_1_10?crid=OQ1FE1G5LHQH&keywords=usb+cable+tester+2.0+and+3.0&qid=1647705594&sprefix=usb+cable+tester%2Caps%2C433&sr=8-10

FrumCA

jerryc41 wrote:

Do any of you use USB cable testers? We've had fo... (show quote)

I haven't had any cables themselves fail but the USB port connection in the device being used has failed. Mostly on cell phone connections; not so much on computers or TVs.

edrobinsonjr Loc: Boise, Idaho

jerryc41 wrote:

Thanks. It looks like there isn't much interest in non-C.

Do you suppose the C type is a ploy to force us to buy millions of new cables? Or am I just cynical?

Ed

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

jerryc41 wrote:

Thanks. It looks like there isn't much interest in non-C.

When a cable seems to fail, I normally grab a can of contact cleaner (DeOxIt or WD-40 BRAND Contact Cleaner) and spray the cable ends, then let them dry and polish if a Q-tip or cloth can reach the connectors gently enough.

Contact cleaner is go-to for battery leakage, too.