USB-C
1.Why in News?
The European Parliament on Tuesday passed a rule standardising the charging port on electronic items. It has selected USB Type-C -- better known as USB-C -- as the standard port.
So, by the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets, and cameras sold in the EU must have a USB-C port. But the deadline for the laptop has been set for 2026.
2.What are the rules
- The European Parliament has said, "Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video game consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port."
- These rules have been in the making since 2014. Yet, its adoption has picked pace only in recent years. Unlike its previous iterations, the USB-C has a small oval port with no fixed up or down orientations. Its symmetrical connector makes it easy to plug in.
3.How will it help the environment?
| The European Parliament said that disposed of and unused chargers account for about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually in the EU. Imagine the worldwide figure, and how this new rule, if implemented across the globe, will help in reducing the e-waste. |
4.What exactly is USB-C?
Unlike its previous iterations, the USB-C has a small oval port with no fixed up or down orientations. Its symmetrical connector makes it easy to plug in. Besides, it is among the industry-standard connectors capable of transmitting both data and power on a single cable. Moreover, it supports fast charging (100W) required by large electronic devices such as laptops and offers super-fast data throughput. Not just data and power, USB-C also supports sending simultaneous video signals – up to 8K resolution.
5.The limitations of USB-C
USB-C is good, but its utility depends on implementation. You may already have a USB-C port on your device but still cannot use all features and functions such as host device charging and video out. It is because different manufacturers use USB-C for different utilities. Moreover, there are different protocols and standards related to USB-C.
6.When can India have a single charger?
India too is mulling the idea of a single charger for all electronic devices. The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs has written to industry players to come up with a plan for having one cable for charging all your devices.
