Treedix USB Cable Tester Board USB Cable Checker Data Wire with Acrylic Case Charging Test Data Line Type-C

Important Warning: DO NOT use this tester to connect to live devices. Doing so could potentially damage both your devices and the tester itself. It is designed solely for testing cables as intended. --------------------------- ★ Section 1 - The Review ★ • This is by far the best design I've encountered for a cheap USB cable tester. It features a straightforward circuit powered by a CR2032 battery or via a Vin pin (cable not included). Each pin of the cable connects to a corresponding light that illuminates when a cable completes the circuit. I really appreciate the broad range of compatible ports, including USB Type-A 2.0 and 3.0, Thunderbolt 3/USB Type-C 3.0 on both sides, Lightning, Micro-B 2.0 and 3.0, and Mini-B 2.0. These standards are fully backward compatible, and the inclusion of both versions ensures that this tester is 100% reliable. • The board has two sides: "Side A" and "Side B," accommodating the reversible nature of Type-C cables. For other types such as Lightning, Micro-B, Mini-B, typically only one side will light up. Generally, you should focus on the side with the most lights illuminated; the other side can usually be disregarded, except for Lightning cables. • One area for improvement.. It would be the documentation of expected pinouts and explanations of the different common combinations. However, this can easily be resolved with a quick Google search. I’ll share my understanding and research below. --------------------------- ★ Section 2 - Here’s a breakdown of what each of those pins means ★ GND (Ground): This is the reference point for electrical signals in the circuit. It serves as the common return path for electric current. • TX+/- (Transmit): These pins are used for data transmission. "TX+" is the positive data line, and "TX-" is the negative data line. They work together to send data signals. • RX+/- (Receive): Similar to TX, these pins are used for receiving data. "RX+" is the positive line for incoming data, and "RX-" is the negative line. They allow the device to receive signals from another device. • VBUS: This pin carries the main power supply voltage. It typically provides +5V to power devices or charge them. • D+ and D-: These are the data lines used in USB connections. "D+" is the positive data line, and "D-" is the negative data line. They enable data transfer between devices. • CC1 and CC2 (Configuration Channel): These pins are used in USB Type-C connections to determine the orientation of the connector and negotiate power delivery. They help devices communicate their capabilities to each other. • SBU1 and SBU2 (Sideband Use): These pins can be used for additional features, such as audio or alternate modes, depending on the type of device connected. They provide extra functionality in certain situations. • ID (Identification): This pin is used to determine the type of device connected. In certain configurations, it helps differentiate between host and peripheral roles. For example, in some USB OTG (On-The-Go) setups, the ID pin can signal whether the device should act as a host or a peripheral. • Shield: This pin is used for grounding the shield of the cable, which helps reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). It helps protect and improve the signal integrity by grounding any external noise that may affect data transmission. --------------------------- ★ Section 3 - A valuable diagnostic tool for several reasons ★ • Signal Integrity Testing: It helps verify the quality of data transmission through the USB cable, ensuring that signals are not degraded. This is crucial for high-speed data transfer applications. • Pin Configuration Verification: The board can confirm that all the necessary pins in the USB cable are properly connected and functioning. This is important for ensuring compatibility with devices. • Identifying Faults and Damage: By testing various cables, you can quickly identify any faulty ones. This is helpful if you suspect that a cable is defective or if a company is providing subpar products. • Compatibility Checks: It can help determine if a cable is compatible with specific devices, preventing the use of cables that might cause performance issues or failures. • Preventing Scams: If you're considering purchasing cables from a vendor, using the test board can help you confirm that the cables meet advertised specifications. Then you would know to return the product for a full refund, and purchase a different cable from another vendor. This can protect you from scams where companies sell low-quality or counterfeit products. • The Frustration Caused by USB Cables: Want to organize or discard cables, but don't know which ones are functional? You can use the USB Cable Tester Board to easily help you identify the right cables to keep. Read more

Easy to use--put a battery in, plug in a cable and go. It does take a little getting used to reading the status LEDs. The manual is bare-bones but provides the essential info. A simple but effective continuity checker to sort my drawer full of USB cables. I was surprised at how many of my old cables were charging only (no data connections). AFAIK, this tester does not read e-marker chip (required on hi-power charging/very hi-speed data, e.g. thunderbolt, USB 3 gen 2), but it does everything else I need. Thank you treedix for this simple and effective tool at an affordable price. I would definitely buy again. Read more

Pros: Make no mistake, this is a well-made, inexpensive, and useful gizmo for checking USB cables since manufacturers don't seem to be willing to clearly identify how much of the USB spec a given cable covers in its wiring (i.e., is it charge only, data and charge, for video and audio, etc). I actually endorse the plexiglass cover you get for an extra $2. It's easy to put on or leave off, with threaded stand-offs that lift the circuit board's bottom off of a table surface. The components are surface mounted except for the USB connectors, so there's little to be gained by adding more to the case (although you could, since the underside stand-offs are threaded for a screw insert to allow mounting an underside cover should you wish to do so (I wouldn't bother) I should note that the plexiglass is protected by a brown paper contact sheet you peel off to get the beautiful clear plexiglass you expect. Amusingly a small bladed screwdriver is included that doesn't fit the Phillips head nylon mounting screws. Cons: The instruction manual is minimal, failing to explain how to interpret the results for a typical cable or even how to hook it up (while for me it's pretty obvious, it might not be so for others). It's also an annoyance that the box isn't big enough to hold the gizmo with the plexiglass cover installed. My real quibble is the use of a JST PH2 power supply connector should you want to bypass the battery (or if it is dead). There is (unexplained) a switch to channel power from the battery or from the power supply input (Vin). A JST PH2 plug is a type not found in most if any plug adapter kit; i.e., you would have to acquire a plug and wire it up to a power supply since it's unlikely you already have that kind of plug on hand. At least Vin is not voltage specific (3V < Vin <12V) so you could just use one of those old 5V cell phone chargers you have lying around to convert to a JST PH2 plug (doing whatever is necessary to identify +/-). I really like the thing for weeding out bad cables and separating by type (which I diligently label using an old label maker I have on hand). The cons are annoyances rather than deal breakers. I recommend the gizmo. Read more