Is it me or is it USB? USB micro cable continuity tester, detect fake USB cables
Smart vs Basic
Look around you. How many USB micro cables that came with rechargeable devices can you see?
Not all of them are the same!
Basic USB cables cannot transfer data and charge a device much more slowly. Smart USB cables can potentially charge a device several times faster, and there is no way to tell the two types of cables apart just by looking at them.
Data transfer test
Now there is a way!
If you unwittingly try to use a lower-quality, basic USB cable to program a USB serial device it can be a savagely frustrating experience. Mistaking a basic USB cable for a smart one is (probably) a leading cause of mental health issues for electronics enthusiasts. Lower quality cables generally have no markings indicating this.
The "Is it me or is it just USB" tester shows you which lines have actual continuity in a USB micro cable. Basic cables will only light up the LEDs for the V+ and GND lines, but smart cables will light up all four. I also broke out test pads so you can test resistance or impedance of the a cable with a multimeter should you want to do so for some reason. The tester also has protection diodes to protect against anything unexpected happening should you leave one end of the cable plugged into a USB host port (which is not the intended usage of the tester).
Save your sanity today! Use this tester!
USB fast charging test
What if you don't use USB cables to program serial devices, you just use it to charge your phone or tablet? Surely, you need not have to worry about whether the cable has data lines, right? You can just go on drinking your designer coffee, without having to worry about milliamps and coulombs and so forth?
Wrong.
Smart charging
Basic USB micro cables are made without the D+ and D- lines in order to save a few cents in manufacturing. The justification is probably that most people won't ever try to use them to transfer data. Well, so what? The problem is this cost-saving measure means such cables can't actually charge devices as quickly.
Some smart devices such such as many Android smartphones and tablets will attempt to negotiate the amount of current it can accept with the charger. The exact details of how this works are complicated, but it needs the data lines to be able to do it. While the cable that came with your smart device is presumably compatible, a USB cable borrowed from something else or a cheap one you bought off of Amazon may not. If the charge rate isn't negotiated, it will fall back on the USB 2.0 default of 0.5A. But your phone may be able to charge at 1.5A or 2A. This means that using the wrong kind of cable your phone could charge up to 3 or 4 times slower than it would otherwise.
Using this USB continuity tester you can tell the difference. If all 4 LEDs light up, the cable is a smart one that will be able to support the faster charging protocols if your device supports it. If only 2 light up, it's a basic one that cannot. If you replace such cables with smart ones and if your device and charger support compatible smarter charging protocols, you may be able to charge your phone several times faster.
Usage instructions
Take both ends of the same USB cable under test and plug each corresponding end into the USB type A and micro type B ports. Do not leave the cable connected to another device while it is connected to the tester.
If the data lines work, the included battery will light up the corresponding LEDs in the "smart" section. This means the cable should be able to transfer data and to charge a device with higher power.
You can also tell if the USB cable is defective or worn out internally if one of the "basic" V+ or GND LEDs don't light up or if any of the LEDs flicker or switch erratically when the cable is handled. If this happens the cable under test is probably not suitable for use and should be discarded.
For more advanced users, test pads are exposed so you can easily measure the resistance, inductance or other properties of a USB cable using a multimeter. You'll presumably want to remove the battery from the tester while doing that.
Disclaimers
The protection diodes and the USB spec are designed to prevent anything from happening as a result but both ends of the cable under test should be detached from any computer or charger before being plugged into the tester.
The tester is not conformally coated.
I invented the terms "smart" and "basic" for the purposes of description. What I've called "basic" are sometimes called "charge-only" but as described above they actually are worse at charging, so that term is misleading. It has been argued that these cables are essentially "fake" USB cables since they don't adhere to any USB spec.
Testimonials and health claims in the product copy are intended as satire and should not be taken seriously.
Shipping Overview:
• Shipping: Standard Domestic Shipping within the United States charges first item USD 6.99 and additional item USD 3.0 each. Standard International Shipping from United Kingdom, Germany, Italian and Japan to the United States charges first item USD 11.99 and additional item USD 4.0 each.
• Import Duty: Everymarket collects applicable duties and taxes on goods imported into the U.S. at checkout, it's calculated based on the goods value multiply by the rate. For United Kingdom and China goods is 10%, Germany, Italian and Japan goods is 15%. We are committed to making your U.S. shopping experience simple and transparent. The method of delivery—either Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) or Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU)—depends on whether duties and taxes are collected at the time of your purchase.
• Order Processing: Please allow 1-2 business days for order processing and preparation before shipment.
• Domestic Shipping: Orders within the U.S. are shipped via USPS or FedEx, depending on the origin of the product. Average transit times to the United States is 3 - 7 Business days and average transit times to International is 7 - 14 Business days
• International Shipping: Currently, we only ship within the USA.
• Tracking Information: Every order is trackable. You will receive a tracking number once your order has been shipped. Products may be shipped from various global fulfillment centers.
Shipping Delays:
Please note that shipping times may vary due to factors beyond our control, such as weather conditions, natural disasters, or peak holiday periods. While we strive to ensure timely delivery, the exact arrival time cannot be guaranteed and is managed by the shipping carrier.
Shipping Options:
-
Standard Delivery: Most orders are shipped within 3-7 business days. Larger items may utilize LTL shipping for safe handling.
-
Handling Time: We handle shipments on business days (Monday - Friday), with a preparation time of 1-2 days.
-
Additional Charges: Some items require additional shipping charges due to their size, weight, or special handling. These charges are specified on the product pages and are not eligible for shipping discounts.
-
Exclusions: Gift cards, packaging, taxes, and prior purchases do not count toward the minimum purchase requirement for free shipping. This offer is valid only for shipments to U.S. addresses, including Puerto Rico.
Delivery Details:
-
Estimates: Standard shipping within the US typically takes 3-7 business days. These are estimates and not guarantees.
-
Shipping Restrictions: We ship to all 50 states, Washington, DC, U.S. territories, and APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Shipping options vary based on the delivery address.
-
Remote Areas: Shipments to remote areas may incur additional charges or require pickup from a nearby shipping partner’s location.
Shipping Confirmation:
You will receive a shipping confirmation email with a tracking number as soon as your order is dispatched. If you do not receive this email immediately, please be assured that your items will arrive within the estimated delivery window provided at checkout.
Order Modifications:
If you need to cancel or modify your order, please contact our customer support immediately.
Issues with Delivery:
If your order shows as delivered but you have not received it, please contact the shipping carrier directly to resolve the issue. For persistent problems, contact our customer service at cs@everymarket.com.
Customer Support:
Our team is available 24/7 to assist you with any questions or concerns regarding your order. We are committed to ensuring a smooth shopping experience.
Return & Refund Policy Overview
Please review our return and refund policies below to ensure a smooth transaction process.
Return Policy
-
Duration: You have 30 days from receiving your item to initiate a return.
-
Condition: Items must be unworn, unwashed, with original tags and packaging intact.
-
Shipping Costs:
- If your return is approved due to a defective, damaged, or incorrect item, we will provide a prepaid return shipping label at no cost.
- If the item has no quality issues and matches the product listing and description, please contact our Customer Service team before returning it. Once your return is authorized, you must return the item according to the provided instructions. In this case, the return shipping cost is the customer's responsibility.
- We are not responsible for return shipping costs for items returned without prior authorization. -
Packaging: Ensure returned items are well-packaged to avoid damage during transit.
-
Tracking: Use a trackable and insured shipping method as we are not liable for items lost or damaged on return.
-
Initiating a Return: Contact us at cs@everymarket.com to start your return. We will provide a return shipping label and instructions upon approval. Returns without prior approval will not be accepted.
How to Return
-
Method: Returns must be sent back by mail to the address provided in the return instructions.
Return Label
-
Please contact us to get return labels.
Product Conditions for Return
-
Eligible Products: Returns are only accepted for items in new condition.
Nonreturnable Items
Certain items are not eligible for return:
-
Electronic devices after 30 days (e.g., computers, laptops, Kindles)
-
Gift cards, prepaid game cards
-
Perishable goods, live insects, some jewelry, some health and personal care items
-
Customized or personalized products
-
Items with special shipping restrictions
Refund Policy
-
Window: Eligible products may be returned within 30 days of delivery for a refund.
-
Refund Method: Refunds are processed to the original payment method or as store credit for items purchased with gift cards.
-
Processing Time: Refunds are processed within 3-5 business days after we receive the return; please allow additional time for shipping and bank processing.
Claims
Inspect your order upon arrival and report any defects, damages, or incorrect items immediately to allow us to address the issue. For claims, contact our support team with details of the issue.
Exchange Policy
For the quickest service, return your original item and place a new order for the desired product once your return is accepted.
Return Address
EveryMarket Customer Service 2101 E Terra Ln, O'Fallon, MO 63366
Customer Support
Available 24/7 for any questions or assistance needed:
-
Phone: +1 (800) 660-3783
-
Email: cs@everymarket.com
Smart vs Basic
Look around you. How many USB micro cables that came with rechargeable devices can you see?
Not all of them are the same!
Basic USB cables cannot transfer data and charge a device much more slowly. Smart USB cables can potentially charge a device several times faster, and there is no way to tell the two types of cables apart just by looking at them.
Data transfer test
Now there is a way!
If you unwittingly try to use a lower-quality, basic USB cable to program a USB serial device it can be a savagely frustrating experience. Mistaking a basic USB cable for a smart one is (probably) a leading cause of mental health issues for electronics enthusiasts. Lower quality cables generally have no markings indicating this.
The "Is it me or is it just USB" tester shows you which lines have actual continuity in a USB micro cable. Basic cables will only light up the LEDs for the V+ and GND lines, but smart cables will light up all four. I also broke out test pads so you can test resistance or impedance of the a cable with a multimeter should you want to do so for some reason. The tester also has protection diodes to protect against anything unexpected happening should you leave one end of the cable plugged into a USB host port (which is not the intended usage of the tester).
Save your sanity today! Use this tester!
USB fast charging test
What if you don't use USB cables to program serial devices, you just use it to charge your phone or tablet? Surely, you need not have to worry about whether the cable has data lines, right? You can just go on drinking your designer coffee, without having to worry about milliamps and coulombs and so forth?
Wrong.
Smart charging
Basic USB micro cables are made without the D+ and D- lines in order to save a few cents in manufacturing. The justification is probably that most people won't ever try to use them to transfer data. Well, so what? The problem is this cost-saving measure means such cables can't actually charge devices as quickly.
Some smart devices such such as many Android smartphones and tablets will attempt to negotiate the amount of current it can accept with the charger. The exact details of how this works are complicated, but it needs the data lines to be able to do it. While the cable that came with your smart device is presumably compatible, a USB cable borrowed from something else or a cheap one you bought off of Amazon may not. If the charge rate isn't negotiated, it will fall back on the USB 2.0 default of 0.5A. But your phone may be able to charge at 1.5A or 2A. This means that using the wrong kind of cable your phone could charge up to 3 or 4 times slower than it would otherwise.
Using this USB continuity tester you can tell the difference. If all 4 LEDs light up, the cable is a smart one that will be able to support the faster charging protocols if your device supports it. If only 2 light up, it's a basic one that cannot. If you replace such cables with smart ones and if your device and charger support compatible smarter charging protocols, you may be able to charge your phone several times faster.
Usage instructions
Take both ends of the same USB cable under test and plug each corresponding end into the USB type A and micro type B ports. Do not leave the cable connected to another device while it is connected to the tester.
If the data lines work, the included battery will light up the corresponding LEDs in the "smart" section. This means the cable should be able to transfer data and to charge a device with higher power.
You can also tell if the USB cable is defective or worn out internally if one of the "basic" V+ or GND LEDs don't light up or if any of the LEDs flicker or switch erratically when the cable is handled. If this happens the cable under test is probably not suitable for use and should be discarded.
For more advanced users, test pads are exposed so you can easily measure the resistance, inductance or other properties of a USB cable using a multimeter. You'll presumably want to remove the battery from the tester while doing that.
Disclaimers
The protection diodes and the USB spec are designed to prevent anything from happening as a result but both ends of the cable under test should be detached from any computer or charger before being plugged into the tester.
The tester is not conformally coated.
I invented the terms "smart" and "basic" for the purposes of description. What I've called "basic" are sometimes called "charge-only" but as described above they actually are worse at charging, so that term is misleading. It has been argued that these cables are essentially "fake" USB cables since they don't adhere to any USB spec.
Testimonials and health claims in the product copy are intended as satire and should not be taken seriously.
Shipping Overview:
• Shipping: Standard Domestic Shipping within the United States charges first item USD 6.99 and additional item USD 3.0 each. Standard International Shipping from United Kingdom, Germany, Italian and Japan to the United States charges first item USD 11.99 and additional item USD 4.0 each.
• Import Duty: Everymarket collects applicable duties and taxes on goods imported into the U.S. at checkout, it's calculated based on the goods value multiply by the rate. For United Kingdom and China goods is 10%, Germany, Italian and Japan goods is 15%. We are committed to making your U.S. shopping experience simple and transparent. The method of delivery—either Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) or Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU)—depends on whether duties and taxes are collected at the time of your purchase.
• Order Processing: Please allow 1-2 business days for order processing and preparation before shipment.
• Domestic Shipping: Orders within the U.S. are shipped via USPS or FedEx, depending on the origin of the product. Average transit times to the United States is 3 - 7 Business days and average transit times to International is 7 - 14 Business days
• International Shipping: Currently, we only ship within the USA.
• Tracking Information: Every order is trackable. You will receive a tracking number once your order has been shipped. Products may be shipped from various global fulfillment centers.
Shipping Delays:
Please note that shipping times may vary due to factors beyond our control, such as weather conditions, natural disasters, or peak holiday periods. While we strive to ensure timely delivery, the exact arrival time cannot be guaranteed and is managed by the shipping carrier.
Shipping Options:
-
Standard Delivery: Most orders are shipped within 3-7 business days. Larger items may utilize LTL shipping for safe handling.
-
Handling Time: We handle shipments on business days (Monday - Friday), with a preparation time of 1-2 days.
-
Additional Charges: Some items require additional shipping charges due to their size, weight, or special handling. These charges are specified on the product pages and are not eligible for shipping discounts.
-
Exclusions: Gift cards, packaging, taxes, and prior purchases do not count toward the minimum purchase requirement for free shipping. This offer is valid only for shipments to U.S. addresses, including Puerto Rico.
Delivery Details:
-
Estimates: Standard shipping within the US typically takes 3-7 business days. These are estimates and not guarantees.
-
Shipping Restrictions: We ship to all 50 states, Washington, DC, U.S. territories, and APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Shipping options vary based on the delivery address.
-
Remote Areas: Shipments to remote areas may incur additional charges or require pickup from a nearby shipping partner’s location.
Shipping Confirmation:
You will receive a shipping confirmation email with a tracking number as soon as your order is dispatched. If you do not receive this email immediately, please be assured that your items will arrive within the estimated delivery window provided at checkout.
Order Modifications:
If you need to cancel or modify your order, please contact our customer support immediately.
Issues with Delivery:
If your order shows as delivered but you have not received it, please contact the shipping carrier directly to resolve the issue. For persistent problems, contact our customer service at cs@everymarket.com.
Customer Support:
Our team is available 24/7 to assist you with any questions or concerns regarding your order. We are committed to ensuring a smooth shopping experience.
Return & Refund Policy Overview
Please review our return and refund policies below to ensure a smooth transaction process.
Return Policy
-
Duration: You have 30 days from receiving your item to initiate a return.
-
Condition: Items must be unworn, unwashed, with original tags and packaging intact.
-
Shipping Costs:
- If your return is approved due to a defective, damaged, or incorrect item, we will provide a prepaid return shipping label at no cost.
- If the item has no quality issues and matches the product listing and description, please contact our Customer Service team before returning it. Once your return is authorized, you must return the item according to the provided instructions. In this case, the return shipping cost is the customer's responsibility.
- We are not responsible for return shipping costs for items returned without prior authorization. -
Packaging: Ensure returned items are well-packaged to avoid damage during transit.
-
Tracking: Use a trackable and insured shipping method as we are not liable for items lost or damaged on return.
-
Initiating a Return: Contact us at cs@everymarket.com to start your return. We will provide a return shipping label and instructions upon approval. Returns without prior approval will not be accepted.
How to Return
-
Method: Returns must be sent back by mail to the address provided in the return instructions.
Return Label
-
Please contact us to get return labels.
Product Conditions for Return
-
Eligible Products: Returns are only accepted for items in new condition.
Nonreturnable Items
Certain items are not eligible for return:
-
Electronic devices after 30 days (e.g., computers, laptops, Kindles)
-
Gift cards, prepaid game cards
-
Perishable goods, live insects, some jewelry, some health and personal care items
-
Customized or personalized products
-
Items with special shipping restrictions
Refund Policy
-
Window: Eligible products may be returned within 30 days of delivery for a refund.
-
Refund Method: Refunds are processed to the original payment method or as store credit for items purchased with gift cards.
-
Processing Time: Refunds are processed within 3-5 business days after we receive the return; please allow additional time for shipping and bank processing.
Claims
Inspect your order upon arrival and report any defects, damages, or incorrect items immediately to allow us to address the issue. For claims, contact our support team with details of the issue.
Exchange Policy
For the quickest service, return your original item and place a new order for the desired product once your return is accepted.
Return Address
EveryMarket Customer Service 2101 E Terra Ln, O'Fallon, MO 63366
Customer Support
Available 24/7 for any questions or assistance needed:
-
Phone: +1 (800) 660-3783
-
Email: cs@everymarket.com
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