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 in order not to suddenly stay with the "dead" device in your hands. And the older the device, the less battery life. It is also necessary to provide alternative options for recharging. Today there are several, including through the 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 have answered unequivocally - protocol specifications do not provide for such a possibility. But the situation has changed. The pioneer, as often happens, was Apple's digging. She released a laptop model, with a universal port where you can connect peripherals and recharge the device. This is how the new USB type C standard appeared, highly rated 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. Tasks to power them were not prioritized; 5V, 0.15A, with a power of 0.75 watts were fed into the connector. That was enough to make the paddle or keyboard work.
In the second generation, with 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 strength on it ranged from 0.9-1.5A, power up to 15 watts. What it brought us:
- The transfer rate is 10 GBps.
- The port is able to charge 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, the violation of which can damage the connector or the connected device.
- Ability to issue up to 20V.
- Identical connectors at both ends, i.e., the supply voltage, depending on the need, can be transferred to both sides.
- Compatible with the use of the adapter with all the "younger versions."
- Guaranteed connector withstands up to 10 thousand connections.
So, we see that before the introduction of the new standard, the ports were used exclusively to power external devices, and not to apply voltages to the computer itself.
Important. It turns out that you cannot charge the device through a normal 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 charging the device should be with a special Type C connector. But everything is not so simple. As before, for USB ports the main task is to connect peripherals, ensuring high-speed information exchange.
USB Power Delivery Standard
One of the specifications embedded in Type C is the open USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) standard. It describes the transfer of power between devices that are equipped with connectors. Transmission, not recharging, because at the next moment of time it can serve as a loader (Source / Source) or anyone charged (Sink / Receiver). Using a special protocol that runs parallel to normal USB, they exchange messages with each other. Using them, the donor and the acceptor can change roles at any time, change the current, voltage, go into sleep mode. Energy transfer up to 100 watts is provided - energy, which 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 - rated voltage 5V with a current of 2A. There is an exchange of information, the definition of the required voltage, amperage. There is an adjustment and after that moves on the device demanded.
Determine the purpose of USB type C
The easiest and most effective way to find out the destination ports - the study of those. documentation for a laptop. It always describes in detail the purpose of each port and its functionality.
At the international consortium USB-IF, uniform requirements for external labeling have been approved, 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 applied.
Important. Not all devices are designed for increased performance. But no matter how much the charger delivers, the device will take exactly as much energy as it needs. This process is controlled by the controller.
With “fast” charging standards, everything is similar. In USB Power Delivery, the maximum voltage is 20V, which should simply burn the connector not prepared for this gadget. However, these technologies require a mutual compatibility check, both on the charging side and the charging device. They exchange information, there is an instant check, charging starts. If the technologies do not match, then charging with minimal parameters is provided.
Charging connection via a normal USB port
When using the "native" power and certified cable that came with the device, no problems will arise. The protection provided by the protocol rules will simply work, the port will shut down and simply will not accept external power that is not intended for it.
Important. Owners of old models will not be able under any circumstances to charge the laptop via USB-port. They can only carry with them a spare battery or not move away from the outlet.
The decision, as always, is yours. Good luck!
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