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USB Charger electrical compatibility

  • 01-08-2009 08:52PM
    #1
    acannydoitjim
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25 ✭


    I'd be grateful for accurate advice on this subject!!

    I have a USB charger for a Samsung digital camera, I connect the USB 'plug' in to a standard 3 pin eletrical plug & the other end to the Samsung & hey presto. My question relates to the compatibility or otherwise of this gizmo. For instance if I were to use this to charge my new Tomtom satnav am I likely to fry the tomtom? How can I check ?

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 60,763 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    USB=USB

    You should be fine.

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



  • #3
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,203 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    USB is USB...the voltage is a standard...approx 5V


  • #4
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 75,477 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Only possibility is that the charger doens't supply enough amperage for the other device to work. It won't damage it, it just won't charge/run.

    I got a cheap Halfrauds 12V->USB adapter which would run a Pure Highway for about 10 seconds before the Highway turned off; whereas a cheaper eBay chinese jobbie worked perfectly.


  • #5
    robbie99
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,261 ✭✭✭robbie99


    Interestingly, from next year USB chargers will become the standard charger for most new phones.

    http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0629/mobilecharger.html

    So a Nokia USB charger will be compatible with say a Motorola phone.

    It's about time chargers became interchangeable.


  • #6
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,063 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    This isn't strictly about USB but is about charging gadgets...

    Some intelligent devices may refuse to accept a charge from an unknown charger. My iTouch for example refuses to accept a charge from a 3rd party FM transmitter device even though an iPod Nano has no problem accepting a charge from the same device.


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