Soon tech-savvy enthusiasts the world over might have to readjust their available charging cables and realign, as the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the industry group responsible for developing the aforementioned USB technology, just announced the version 2.1 update to the current USB Type-C standard, allowing the technology to shuttle 240 watts through its components. The new option, called Extended Power Range (EPR), will arrive with new devices that will co-opt them by the second half of 2021.
Currently, there are two power ranges for USB cable standards. The low-power option, now called Standard Power Range (SPR), can max out at 60 watts by delivering currents at 3 amperes. The higher-power option that used to max out at 100 watts will now be replaced by the EPR standard, allowing up to 240 watts. The increase in power delivery will allow USB Type-C to expand its repertoire of compatible devices, now accommodating devices such as gaming laptops, 4K monitors, and docking stations for high-power electronics.
The 240-watt update to USB Type-C also led to the development of version 3.1 for USB Power Delivery (USB-PD). While USB-PD governs over how devices interact with chargers and other devices, the new USB 3.2 and USB 4.0 standards handle data transmission over cables. The increase in power delivery to 240 watts raised concerns over possible electrical current arcing, or electricity jumping through the air between the USB Type-C port and plug; in response to this, the USB-IF added an extended section to the USB Type-C documentation imparting advice to manufacturers on how to avoid such events.
The USB-IF recognizes that these terminologies may simply just cause confusion among consumers just wanting to charge their devices. With the different standards in play, concerns were raised over consumer confusion on whether their cables support high rates of data transmission or power delivery. USB-IF Chief Operating Officer Jeff Ravencraft maintains that there should be no cause for concern, as the new power and data capacities will become commonplace as the new USB standards mature and components become cheaper.
Alongside this, USB Type-C will also have to continue coexisting with Intel’s Thunderbolt interface. USB 4.0 has already allowed USB to catch up to Thunderbolt’s 40-gigabit-per-second (Gbps) speed—just by actually embedding Thunderbolt technology themselves. The two standards are expected to continue converging, however, despite Intel’s insistence on maintaining separate certification programs for Thunderbolt.
Bibliography
- Shankland, S. (2021, May 28). USB-C power upgrade to 240W could banish some of your proprietary chargers. CNET. Retrieved August 18, 2021, from https://www.cnet.com/news/usb-c-power-upgrade-means-240w-for-gaming-laptops-and-other-devices-in-2021/
- USB-IF. (2021, May 25). USB Type-C® Cable and Connector Specification Revision 2.1. USB-IF. Retrieved August 18, 2021, from https://usb.org/document-library/usb-type-cr-cable-and-connector-specification-revision-21
