USB-C: One Charger to Power Them All

USB-C: One Charger to Power Them All

EU Common Charger Rules

Starting December 28, 2024, all new portable electronic devices sold in the EU that support wired charging must support a USB-C port. This includes mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, handheld video game consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, navigation systems, and earbuds. Beginning April 28, 2026, this requirement will also apply to laptops that support charging via USB-C up to 100W.

Supercharge It: Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 vs. 3.1

A graph illustrating the relationship between current (in amperes) and source power rating (in watts) for different voltage levels in Standard Power Range (SPR) and Extended Power Range (EPR).

• Standard Power Range (SPR): Used in PD 3.0 and PD 3.1, shaded in green, covers up to 100 W with voltages of 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V.
• Extended Power Range (EPR): Introduced in PD 3.1, shaded in blue, covers up to 240 W with voltages of 20V, 28V, 36V, and 48V.

*Voltage values listed together (e.g., 5V, 9V) indicate available profiles.

Power Delivery 3.0/3.1 Highlights

PPS (Programmable Power Supply)

Fine-tuned voltage adjustment for more efficient, cooler fast charging

Designedfor safety

Always starts at 5V before negotiating power

Backward compatible

Works with older USB devices

Smart Negotiation: The 5V Handshake

USB-C starts at 5V. The configuration channel (CC) pin handles setup, and devices negotiate higher power if supported.