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I assume it's commonly known around here that USB cables have both wires for communicating data, as well as for sending 5V of power to the device. I commonly tether my computer to my smartphone to get internet through USB, but if I've got heavy usage, the battery in my smartphone slowly dies faster than the low power from my computer can charge it.

I'd like a special USB wire that has a micro plug on one end, but splits to two A plugs on the other. This way I can plug the data portion into my computer, but plug the power portion into the phone's normal AC adapter. I'm assuming the much higher current from the regular charger will keep the phone powered regardless of heavy usage or not.

I was thinking of making this myself, but I thought I couldn't be the first person who wanted something like this. Is there an existing wire that does what I want? Or perhaps an adapter?

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1 Answers1

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There doesn't seem to be a solution to meta problem of a USB wire that splits data and power into two separate plugs. The actual problem I was facing was "I have a device that draws more power then the USB port will supply." To this problem, there are two solutions.

First, you can use a Y cable. This is basically a standard USB cable, except there are two Plug Type A plugs on one end. The idea is, you plug these two plugs into two USB ports on the host machine. Since the USB spec only allows a maximum of 500 mA from a port (in heavy usage or on some devices it doesn't even give that - only 100 mA are guaranteed by the spec), this wire is able to get 500 mA from two ports, for a sum of 1000 mA. These wires are small and cheap (under $10), and 1000 mA is enough to power most small electronics. In my case, my smartphone needs 750 mA.

The second solution is to use a powered USB hub that delivers more than 500 mA. Just look in the description of the product, it should point this out. These hubs are a little more expensive than the Y cable, but they give you several USB ports to use, as opposed to you having to give up two. This is also a useful solution if you have a computer or laptop without two USB plugs next to each other.

cost
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