Products in the pictures:
USB-kaapeli tyypin C liittimellä
USB-kaapeli tyypin C liittimellä

Here you see a design for a USB-A connector that’s fully reversible. It uses a very thin double sided comb in the center so that it’ll be able to make contact no matter which way you put it into the port.

The wiring needed to make a reversible connector is a bit of a mess. Every line needs to connect to two pins placed on opposite sides of the comb from one another, meaning you’ve either got to use twice as many wires or a weird forking pin design.

This USB A connector that has a thin middle part with connectors on both side works pretty well almost always both ways. The mechanical construction does not feel as strong as with traditional connectors because the middle part of connector feels a bit flimsy.

The joke with traditional USB A connectors is that you need to try to plug in three times to get it right. Here’s a secret: almost every USB cable has the USB logo or some notch on one side of the plug. When you plug the cable in 99% of the time the side with the notch will be the side that’s facing towards you. So when you’re plugging it in a laptop, the notch should be on the top; when plugging it in the side of a monitor, the notch is facing towards you; etc.

With this kind of flip Micro-USB cable connector, you’ll get it right in the first time, every time. The connector works in both directions – there is no wrong way. It just fits.

USB organization wants the whole world to adopt usb c right now and does not seem to like this kind of innovation. The wiring needed to make a reversible USB C connector is also a bit of a mess. The USB 2.0 signals carrying lines needs to connect to two pins placed on opposite sides of the connector from one another, meaning you’ve either got to use twice as many wires or a weird forking pin design.

This cable on the pictures does not seem to have any notch or official USB logo.

Product info page:
Käännettävä A – Micro FLAT, 1 m

Big Clive discovered there’s a “thing” going around where people are charging lithium cells by attaching a stripped USB lead directly to them. Normally lithium cells are very safe if undamaged and correct charging procedures are used. But overcharging them like this can result in cell damage and potentially fire.

Some Lithium cells have built-in protection circuitry and some not. Many of the “found” lithium cells salvaged from disposable devices have no extra protection circuitry because it’s not needed in their application. But when recharging them it is very important to control the charge current and stop charging at around 4.2V

Direct charging with a USB lead has very little current limiting and the charger will often smash more than its rated current into them, potentially damaging the charger too. It will also keep charging them beyond 4.2V and that poses a genuine risk of internal chemistry damage, potentially resulting in avalanche failure where an internal short circuit occurs. If that happens the full energy capacity of the cell will be released extremely quickly resulting in the electrolyte venting as a flammable vapour, and if sparks blow out too it can ignite resulting in a flamethrower effect. The real hazard is their ability to store and release very high amounts of energy. If used correctly and protected from physical damage, lithium cells are very safe.

Selected Viewer comments:

Wow, I appreciate that you took the time to write an in-depth and educational description for this video. I wasn’t aware that you could use the cell’s capacity as a measure for how much current you could push into a cell during charging. These “disposable” batteries are my first experience using lithium-ion cells for projects, so your videos on the matter have been amazing. Thank you for all you do

Basically “Please for the love of god, just use a Battery Management System board.”
Maybe it’s just my previous experience with lithium batteries, but charging a 3.7 (4.2v max) cell directly with a 5v USB connection with absolutely no overcharge/overvoltage protection is a very obvious recipe for disaster to me. I shouldn’t be surprised that there are plenty of horrible ideas circulating on the internet like undetonated land mines waiting for someone who doesn’t know better to come along.

I used to fly a lot of RCs and I had only one experience with a lithium cell venting randomly. I have gone through literally hundreds of them with no problem except for that one. And I’ve always used hobby grade RC chargers for lipo.

Any charge put into a rechargeable battery has to be governed in some way. The current has to be trickled in, not flooded in. Just connecting them up to a, ‘dumb’, USB connector is a very bad idea. As mentioned, it’ll overcharge the battery and cause it to become unstable to the point of bursting/exploding/catching fire.

Most lithium cells I’ve found in multiples devices have a small protection board, however I don’t to know to what extend it protects the cell other than charge current and voltage. If they have over discharge protection that’d be pretty awesome but for now I’ll just stick to the TP4056. Don’t wanna find out the bad way.

One important thing to keep in mind about the board with the TP4506 and the DW01: if you try to use it while charging the cell, the TP4506 will see the charge current as well as the load current and will never reach the charge termination point, potentially overcharging the cell.
So use that board to either charge the cell or protect it during use, but not both at the same time.

That’s very good information, especially since the protected one even have separate B+/- and OUT+/- terminals. From what I can tell fixing this would have “cost” three additional components and a very slightly larger PCB, it’s a bit sad that no one has capitalized on this to provide a better variant (that I can find, it’s all TP4056 with or without protection circuit, no PCBs that appears to be different).
Someone suggested that one could fudge a “load bypass while on USB power” using two schottky diodes (for lower voltage loss) – I may have to test that out next time I use one to confirm that this actually works but the idea looks reasonable (not a guarantee).

Maybe look at other chips from the same series. Some are designed to provide power output without the 10% loss in a schotky diode.

Most people want a pre-existing module so they don’t need to design their own, I doubt anyone charging a lithium cell with straight 5V would be capable of that. Which is why it’s a shame that the common protected TP4056 modules LOOKS like they support “pass-through charging” (separate B+/- and OUT+/-) but doesn’t – and that I couldn’t find any better (commodity, small, simple) pre-made alternatives, whether TP4056 or not.

The reform is part of the EU’s efforts to improve the recycling of products, especially electronics, and to make life easier for consumers through a standard solution. The new rules are intended to ensure that consumers no longer have to buy a new charger and cord every time they buy a new device, and that all small and medium-sized devices can be charged with the same USB-C charger.

The new EU standard for charging will be USB-C connection in the EU. The speed of fast charging will also be harmonized in the near future, promises the European Parliament. Although the charge interface proposal is already certain, it will have to be formally approved by the European Parliament and the Council after the summer recess. The directive will then be published in the Official Journal of the EU, after which, after a two-year transition period, all new devices will have to use a USB-C connection.

This means that in Europe, by 2024, a USB-C connection will be required as a charging connector for portable electronics. All Mobile Phones, Tablets and Cameras sold from Fall 2024 must be able to be charged with USB-C chargers. Mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, in-ear headphones, digital cameras, headphones, handheld video game consoles and portable speakers that can be charged with a wired cable must be equipped with a USB-C port, regardless of the manufacturer, ”the release said.

Laptops must also comply with the new rules more than three years after the rules come into force. At the same time, the speed of fast charging would be harmonized for devices that support it, so that charging is equally fast on all compatible devices.

The new regulation does not apply to devices that cannot include a USB-C port due to the size of the device. These include, for example, smart watches and activity bracelets.

Or unless wireless charging then makes the whole connection unnecessary. The EU’s press release specifically says the rules apply to devices “that are rechargeable via a wired cable,” meaning a device that only charges wirelessly would not need to be fitted with a USB-C port. Wireless charging is also expected to become more common. The European Commission can therefore regulate the compatibility of wireless charging solutions with the so-called delegated regulations.

Pushing for common charger has been a long process. The European Commission announced the current plans for the legislation last September, but the bloc’s efforts to force manufacturers to use a common charging standard go back over a decade. Parliament and its Committee on the Internal Market have been pushing for a decision on universal chargers for portable electronics for ten years (first tried with microUSB). The whole time Apple has considered the EU’s move to a universal charger unnecessary. These new obligations will lead to more re-use of chargers and will help consumers save up to 250 million euro a year on unnecessary charger purchases. Disposed of and unused chargers are estimated to represent about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually.

Sources:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fi/press-room/20220603IPR32196/trilogisopu-yleislaturista-tavoitteena-vahentaa-elektroniikkaromun-maaraa
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220603IPR32196/deal-on-common-charger-reducing-hassle-for-consumers-and-curbing-e-waste
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fi/press-room/20220412IPR27115/common-charger-meps-agree-on-proposal-to-reduce-electronic-waste
https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/press-conference-by-alex-agius-saliba-rapporteur-on-outcome-of-trilogue-on-common-charger_20220607-1230-SPECIAL-PRESSER
https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/7/23156361/european-union-usb-c-wired-charging-iphone-lightning-ewaste?scrolla=5eb6d68b7fedc32c19ef33b4
https://www.iltalehti.fi/digiuutiset/a/ba6a457b-65af-4bb9-931f-bbcef2f3b195
https://www.is.fi/digitoday/art-2000008869932.html
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2022/06/07/eurooppa-valitsi-usb-c-latausliitannan-kayttoon-vasta-2024/
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/?s=USB-C
https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2010/12/30/eu-standards-for-common-mobile-phone-charger/
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/05/11/iphone-15-ditch-lightning-for-usb-c/?scrolla=5eb6d68b7fedc32c19ef33b4
https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/20/eu-common-charger-rules/
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/13448-apple-rimpuilee-eu-n-laturipaeaetoestae-vastaan
https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2021/05/27/higher-power-usb-c-will-deliver-240w/

White USB Port

The white color in USB port indicates it is USB 1.X, which is some of the very early standards. It supports only very slow transfer speed of 1.5 Mbps, or 12 Mbps at full bandwidth. You will typically see this only on very old hardware.
In some cases you can see standard USB 2.0 port that is available in white.

Black USB Port

Black USB port indicates that the port is older standard USB 2.0 that supports transfer speed up to 480 Mbits. Even though it is old and slow, is still useful for many things. This type of port can be used to connect devices that don’t require high transfer speeds, like keyboards or mice.

Blue USB Port

Blue is the conventional color for USB 3.0 port. Even the cables for that standard are blue. These ports support speed up to 5 Gbit/s if the connected device and cable support this speed to benefit from it.

Teal Blue USB Port

USB 3.1 ports come in Teal Blue. These ports support transfer speed up to 10 Gbit/s. Some people may see this port as green.

Red USB Port

Red color is normally used for USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 ports that can support transfer speed up to 20 Gbit/s. Some manufacturers use Red Color USB port color to indicate that you can get power from the port even your laptop/desktop is power-off or sleeping or hibernating. The red color USB port will carry a current of 1.8 amps and a voltage of 5 volts, companies make those ports because some external devices may require more power than a conventional USB 2.0 port can provide.

Yellow USB Port

The yellow USB port is typically the same as Red USB Port.
In some cases the yellow in USB port doesn’t indicate the port type (can be USB 2.0 or USB 3.0). Rather than that, it indicates that the port is always-on, even if the computer is in sleep mode or turned off.

Orange USB Port

Orange USB Port is usually also the same as Red USB Port. They come normally with USB 3.0 specifications and they are also “Sleep and Charge” ports.

Sleep-and-charge ports come in many colors

Sleep and Charge Port is one of the special USB ports which is used to charge external devices and those ports are normally in red, orange, and yellow colors.

Blue Color, Black Color USB ports don’t provide/deliver power when your laptop/desktop is power-off or sleep or hibernate. But these Red Color USB port gets power even your laptop/desktop is power-off or sleeping or hibernating.

USB sleep-and-charge ports are often yellow, orange, or red. These ports can be used to charge phones or electronic devices even when the computer is switched off.

Sources:

https://www.geeksinphoenix.com/blog/post/2014/01/12/How-to-tell-what-type-of-USB-connector-you-have-by-color

https://ourtechroom.com/tech/guide-usb-port-colors-red-blue-yellow-black-white-orange-teal/

https://tech-fairy.com/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-different-usb-port-colors-blue-teal-blue-yellow-red-black/

https://juicedsystems.com/blogs/news/know-your-usb-a-practical-guide-to-the-universal-serial-bus

https://ourtechroom.com/tech/guide-usb-port-colors-red-blue-yellow-black-white-orange-teal/#mcetoc_1fds0q3v02n

https://bloggerpilot.com/en/usb-color-codes/

Let’s open

Inside I see three LEDs and plastic fiber optic cables connected to those LEDs. Those fiber optic cables are here not for fast data transfer fiber optic is usually known for. They are are here just purely for some (not so good) visual effect.

There seems to be some unmarked 6 pin chip that handles the LED controlling for the light show.

USB cable light effect

It is even possible to make the USB connector to make contact with the metal parts inside the connector (depends somewhat on the USB C connector and outlet construction if it can make contact).

Fortunately the wider prong connects the neutral wires (wires carrying unused electricity back to the breaker panel), so it does not shock you badly if the outlet is correctly wired.

It is the narrow prong that connects the hot wires (wires carrying electricity from the panel to an outlet or a switch). And USB C cannot fit into this.

Absolutely YES!

There are many potential problems with USB cables. The USB Security is fundamentally broken and modern electronics can be made so small that you can fit all kinds of nasty circuits inside USB cable if you want to do that. And some parties want to do that. USB phone charging can be a security risk and public USB chargers can be dangerous to use.

There are many different ways how an USB cable can be converted to a spying device. Besides DIY projects there are places that sell different types of USB spying cables.

One type of USB spying cable is GSM spy bug hidden inside Micro USB cable. You can fit a small GSM phone electronics inside full size USB plug case, and use that GSM phone as Auto Callback listening device. When you call the mobile number, this device will auto answer and let’s you to hear what is happening near the cable. The GSM electronics can be powered nicely with +5V USB power. The GPS device might or might not touch the USB data pins. In addition to GSM cell phone there can also be GPS location device on the same cable. This kind of GSM USB cable listening devices are sold here and there.

If you are interested what is inside such GSM USB spy cable, read USB spy cable – teardown & vulns article. It reveals that controls were horribly insecure and allowed anyone to monitor all of the cables in use.

Can a USB data cable be altered into a Spying data cable that can inject malicious software in my phone? This is well possible if someone builds a small device, likely at the USB end of your cable. That device would have to be very small to work in your cable, but technically doable. This kind of cables are on the market. Chec

NEW USB CABLE CONTAINS TINY COMPUTER THAT SPIES ON EVERYTHING YOU TYPE article tells that next time you buy a USB cord — or take a free one from a kiosk at an event — you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t spy on every single thing you type. This is not just some speculation of possibility of hacking. A PSEUDONYMOUS SECURITY RESEARCHER SAYS THEY’RE ALREADY MASS PRODUCING THE CABLES. The so-called OMG cable looks just like any other, except for a tiny computer that can automatically record every single keystroke you take while it’s plugged in and transmit them to a hacker. The cable contains a web server, radio, and tiny processors all hidden within the wire itself.

There has been earlier O.MG CABLE – * TO USB-A. A new version of the OMG Cable is a USB-C to Lightning Cable that hackers can use to steal your passwords or other data. It works as a keylogger and data spy. “There were people who said that Type C cables were safe from this type of implant because there isn’t enough space. So, clearly, I had to prove that wrong. :),” MG told Motherboard. MG has already started to mass-produce the OMG cable and sell it through the hacking community shop Hak5 — ostensibly for security research purposes rather than anything willfully malicious.

What are the possibilities to do something same type yourself? This technology can be implemented by hardware hackers even at home labs. There are open projects like TOMU: A MICROCONTROLLER FOR YOUR USB PORT that fit inside USB socket. There is also newer project HOW A MICROCONTROLLER HIDING IN A USB PORT BECAME AN FPGA HIDING IN THE SAME.

The next question is how to secure yourself against this kind of cables? Is there a way to detect before use or maybe even dis-infect such nasty spy cables?

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has just announced that it’s more than doubling the amount of power you can send over a USB-C cable from 100W to 240 watts.
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2021/5/25/22453936/usb-c-power-delivery-extended-power-range-epr

The USB-C Release 2.1 spec more than doubles the power output of the all-in-one cable.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has just announced that it’s more than doubling the amount of power you can send over a USB-C cable to 240 watts. This is something that the USB-IF is calling “Extended Power Range” or EPR for short.

This means you’ll eventually be able to plug in the same kind of multipurpose USB-C cable you currently use on lightweight laptops, tablets, and phones to charge all but the beefiest gaming laptops (which will still need an ugly barrel jack and a proprietary power brick to charge).

You’ll need new USB-C chargers and cables to take advantage of the new spec, of course. A cable will need to support up to 5A and 50V to be compliant.

This gives the hint that the extra power capability is made possible by increasing the supplt voltage. 5A*48V=240W. In addition to higher voltage I expect some extension to the USB power delivery device handshaking specifications to reliably tell when this higher voltage is appropriate, because sending 48V to an older device expecting 20V 5A maximum would most propably fry it.

Stephen Shankland / CNET:
USB standards body unveils its USB-C 2.1 revision, which supports power up to 240W, up from 100W currently, aimed at devices like 4K displays and gaming laptops — An upgrade to the USB-C standard will accommodate levels of up to 240 watts, an improvement that could let you plug power-hungry devices …
https://www.cnet.com/news/usb-c-upgrade-delivers-a-whopping-240w-for-gaming-laptops-and-other-power-hungry-devices/

An upgrade to the USB-C standard will accommodate levels of up to 240 watts, an improvement that could let you plug power-hungry devices like gaming laptops, 4K monitors and printers into the universal port.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the industry group that develops the technology, revealed the new power levels in the version 2.1 update to its USB Type-C specification on Tuesday. The new 240-watt option is called Extended Power Range, or EPR.

Cables supporting 240 watts will have additional requirements to accommodate the new levels. And USB-IF will require the cables to bear specific icons “so that end users will be able to confirm visually that the cable supports up to…240W,” USB-IF said in the specification document.

USB Type-C® Cable and Connector Specification Revision 2.1
https://usb.org/document-library/usb-type-cr-cable-and-connector-specification-revision-21

The USB-C specification isn’t the only one covering how USB ports and cables work. Today’s mainstream USB 3.2 and brand-new USB 4 govern how data is sent over cables. But USB 4 is rare, just arriving now in newer laptops.

Man Goes Up In Flames After Pulling Out USB Stick Without Safely Removing It First

https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2021/05/06/man-goes-up-in-flames-after-pulling-out-usb-stick-without-safely-removing-it-fir

“Authorities suspect the cause of the fire can be traced to Murphy previously pulling a USB stick out of his computer without safely removing it beforehand.”

This was clearly parody because you can’t get this kind of flames from USB port (even with super high power 100W USB-C). To get flames like that you would need gasoline or bad big Lithium battery. Yes I know USB can be somewhat dangerous but this risk scenario is not what you should be too much worry about.

Anyway Microsoft has been for years been well aware that people have no time to remove USB safely. Life’s too short for it, thus with the new Microsoft Windows 1809 Version, the company made it pretty much safe to pull out your USB without any hassle.
https://fossbytes.com/remove-usb-safely-windows/