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Electronics => Beginners => Topic started by: smoothtalker on August 30, 2014, 01:30:42 pm

Title: recommend Tool for testing USB
Post by: smoothtalker on August 30, 2014, 01:30:42 pm
is there a device similar to this USB Tester? I need a device/PCB with USB A male and female connector. For e.g i would use it to test Apple USB charger. connecting the usb tester to the apple charger and then my iphone to the usb tester. With this, i could poke around the circuit without taking apart anything.

Is there such a tool? Thanks

http://friedcircuits.us/50 (http://friedcircuits.us/50)
Title: Re: recommend Tool for testing USB
Post by: Pedram on August 30, 2014, 02:08:19 pm
build your own

too easy.
Title: Re: recommend Tool for testing USB
Post by: DanielS on August 30, 2014, 02:09:16 pm
Sounds like all you want to do is be able to tap into USB signals. You could simply take a short $2 USB extension cable and open it somewhere in the middle to access the wires.
Title: Re: recommend Tool for testing USB
Post by: smoothtalker on August 30, 2014, 02:51:35 pm
Sounds like all you want to do is be able to tap into USB signals. You could simply take a short $2 USB extension cable and open it somewhere in the middle to access the wires.

i would prefer something robust and stable and easy to work on just like the usb tester, so that i can poke around using dmm or other tools. also i don't want to add any resistance to the circuit   
Title: Re: recommend Tool for testing USB
Post by: sacherjj on August 30, 2014, 03:00:42 pm
First, there is NOTHING you can add to it that won't add a little resistance. 

Second, robustness is all in how you build something.  If this was a one off, I would zip tie cable ends to the edges of a PCB.  Solder power lines to a probe point.  Include a 0.1" header that you can put a jumper on to allow the +5V through, or drop an ammeter on to measure current.  Then have two points where data lines can be sampled.
Title: Re: recommend Tool for testing USB
Post by: charlespax on August 30, 2014, 03:03:53 pm
Here's a breakout board (http://www.techunboxed.com/2013/06/usb.html). I prefer this pin layout. It uses a full sized connector, which can be more robust.