Can i charge my laptop via usb? Possible consequences of non-standard charging

One of the main advantages of a laptop is its mobility - usually it is used where there are no outlets. Therefore, its Achilles heel is the battery - it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of charge, so as not to suddenly remain with a "dead" device in your hands. And the older the device, the less battery life. Alternative charging options should also be considered. Today there are several of them, including through a USB port. Let us dwell on this option in more detail.

How to charge a laptop without charging via usb

So is it possible to charge the laptop via usb? Just a little less than five years ago, any knowledgeable person would answer unambiguously - the protocol specifications do not provide such an opportunity. But the situation has changed. The discoverer, as often happens, was the digging of Apple.

She released a laptop model, with a universal port, where you can connect peripherals and recharge the device. So the new USB type C standard appeared, highly praised by users and then picked up by manufacturers.

A bit of history

At the end of the last century, it was decided to reduce the variety of ports (PS / 2, LPT, etc.), replace them with the USB standard (Universal Serial Bus). The first generation is designed exclusively for connecting external peripherals. The task of powering them was not given priority, 5V, 0.15A, with a power of 0.75 watts, was supplied to the connector. This was enough to ensure the operation of the manipulator or keyboard.

In the second generation, at the same voltage, the current was increased to 0.5A, which made it possible to power external hard drives. The new standard of the third generation USB 3.1 Type-C could already power mobile devices - the current on it ranged from 0.9-1.5 A, power up to 15 watts. What it brought us:

• Data transfer rate 10 GBps.
• The port is capable of charging a device that needs up to 100W.
• The new connector does not differ in size from micro-USB.
• Complete symmetry, the absence of a key, violating the position of which, you can damage the connector or the connected device.
• The ability to issue up to 20V.
• The same connectors at both ends, i.e. supply voltage, depending on the need, can be transmitted in both directions.
• Compatibility using the adapter with all the "minor versions".
• Guaranteed connector withstands up to 10 thousand connections.

So, we see that before the introduction of the new standard, ports were used solely to power external devices, and not to supply voltage to the computer itself.

Important. It turns out that you can’t charge the device through a regular USB port. It is simply not intended for this.

Which laptops can be charged via usb

Based on the previously discussed, it is clear that for autonomous recharging the device must be with a special Type C connector. But not everything is so simple. As before, the main task for USB ports is connecting peripherals, ensuring high-speed information exchange.

USB Power Delivery Standard

One of the specifications embedded in Type C is the open standard USB Power Delivery (USB-PD). It describes power transfer between devices that are equipped with connectors. Transmission, not recharging, because it can serve at the next moment of time - charging (Source) or whom they charge (Sink / Receiver). According to a special protocol that runs parallel to regular USB, they exchange messages with each other. Using them, the donor and acceptor can change roles at any time, change the current, voltage, go into sleep mode. It provides energy transfer up to 100 watts - energy that is enough to recharge any mobile device, peripherals (monitor, printer, scanner). If necessary, it is provided with five energy profiles: up to 5V @ 2A, up to [email protected], up to 12V @ 3A, up to 12-20V @ 3A and up to [email protected].

For example, any external device is connected. By default, the first level is used - a nominal voltage of 5V with a current strength of 2A. There is an exchange of information, determination of the required voltage, current strength. Adjustment takes place and after that the required is supplied to the device.

Determine the purpose of USB type C

The easiest and most effective way to find out the purpose of the ports is to study those. documentation for the laptop. It always describes in detail the purpose of each port and its functionality.

The USB-IF international consortium has unified requirements for external marking, but manufacturers do not always apply it correctly and in full.

Possible consequences of non-standard charging

Charging Standards. Time passes, one connector is replaced by another, and the standards for the electrical characteristics of the chargers remain unchanged. But the rules are violated - now, to charge a large-capacity battery or accelerated charging, increased voltage and current indicators are being supplied.

Important. Not all devices are designed for increased performance. But no matter how much the charger gives out, the device will take just as much energy as it needs. This process is controlled by the controller.

With “fast” charging standards, everything happens similarly. In USB Power Delivery, the maximum voltage is 20V, which should just burn the connector of an unprepared for this gadget. However, these technologies require mutual compatibility checks, both on the charging side and on the charging device. They exchange information, instant verification takes place, charging begins. If the technologies do not match, then charging with minimal parameters is provided.

Connect charging via a regular USB port

When using the "native" power and certified cable, which are supplied with the device, no problems. The protection provided by the protocol rules will simply work, the port will turn off and simply will not accept external power that is not intended for it.

Important. Owners of older models will not be able to charge a laptop through a USB port under any circumstances. They can only carry a spare battery or not go far from the outlet.

The decision, as always, is up to you. Good luck