By Becca | 11 June 2022 | 2 Comments
What is the Difference Between 3A Cable and 5A Cable?
The charging power of smartphones has increased from 5W to the current 240W, thanks to constant advancements in smartphone charging technology. On the surface, the interface requirements, cables, and chargers appear to be the same. Why are they so different? On the surface, the cable features are all USB-C cables, but the price difference is significant. The power cannot reach the full output when used with a 100W charger, resulting in slow charging.
In fact, standard USB-C cables also have a "performance classification" system for charging. The most common are 3A cables and 5A cables. Now, from the perspective of charging cables, we'll explain why these two cables have an impact on system charging power.
The devices will conduct "information negotiation" through the cable in each connection to determine whether the other end of the cable is a mobile phone, a charger, or a computer, determine whether the other party is a power supply or a power receiving device, and communicate the power supply/power receiving specifications, data transfer rate specifications, and other key information.
The USB-C cable is an important bridge for carrying information communication and participating in power transmission. An "E-Marker" chip can be added to the terminal head to participate in the "information negotiation" as a third party.
The E-Marker chip is "optional". For safety reasons, the current of the cable without the E-Marker chip is limited to 3A to avoid safety problems caused by high resistance and high current overheating; while the cable with the 3A E-Marker chip is used, the maximum current transmission of the fast charging system is also 3A; When using the cable of the 5A E-Marker chip, the maximum current transmission of the entire fast charging system can reach 5A.
The maximum power transmission specification of the cable is mainly divided into two types, 60W / 100W, which is divided into 3A cable / 5A cable according to the current. Except for the ThunderBolt cable, the power transmission performance of other cables is not directly related to the data transmission performance. If you want to get a fast charging performance higher than 60W (3A), a 100W (5A) cable is necessary. Please read the product description when purchasing. If you buy the wrong one, the power will be limited and cannot exceed 60W (3A).
3A cables generally do not add E-Marker chips, and are also designed and manufactured in accordance with this power specification in terms of cable core thickness, and cost control.
The 60W fast charging power is sufficient for ordinary mobile phones, tablets, Switch game consoles, and the price is relatively low. Many chargers below 60W are equipped with 3A cables as standard.
The 5A cable must have a built-in 5A E-Marker chip. During the "information negotiation" between the power supply device and the powered device, the key parameter that the cable supports 5A can be obtained, and the entire fast charging system can break through the 3A current transmission limitation. The production, design and produce process of 5A cable are more complicated.
The 100W fast charging power can be used for flagship fast charging mobile phones, high-performance notebooks, high-power power banks and other devices with higher requirements. In terms of price, manufacturers are more willing to pay attention to the appearance design, wear resistance and tensile design on the 5A cable. Improve product durability, and the price of 5A cable will be higher.
Very few notebooks have strict requirements, and it is mandatory to charge 20V3.25A or more, that is, 65W or more. If a 3A cable is used, the notebook only detects 20V3A, which is 60W, and will refuse to charge.
Huwder 5A Cable support PD3.1 fast charging
https://huwder.com/products/pd31-usb-c-to-usb-c-rapid-charge-cable-max-240w-5a
In fact, standard USB-C cables also have a "performance classification" system for charging. The most common are 3A cables and 5A cables. Now, from the perspective of charging cables, we'll explain why these two cables have an impact on system charging power.
Cable Form
The USB-C interface is the most widely used fast charging interface, and USB-C cables come in a variety of types, including USB-C to USB-C, USB-A to USB-C, and USB-C to Lightning. Because USB-C to Lightning is not a universal cable, I won't go into detail about it today; instead, We'll focus on USB-C to USB-C and USB-A to USB-C.E-Marker Chip
The USB PD / USB-C point-to-point connection system has three members, according to the USB specification: the power supply device (Source), the power receiving device (Sink), and the cable.The devices will conduct "information negotiation" through the cable in each connection to determine whether the other end of the cable is a mobile phone, a charger, or a computer, determine whether the other party is a power supply or a power receiving device, and communicate the power supply/power receiving specifications, data transfer rate specifications, and other key information.
The USB-C cable is an important bridge for carrying information communication and participating in power transmission. An "E-Marker" chip can be added to the terminal head to participate in the "information negotiation" as a third party.
The E-Marker chip is "optional". For safety reasons, the current of the cable without the E-Marker chip is limited to 3A to avoid safety problems caused by high resistance and high current overheating; while the cable with the 3A E-Marker chip is used, the maximum current transmission of the fast charging system is also 3A; When using the cable of the 5A E-Marker chip, the maximum current transmission of the entire fast charging system can reach 5A.
The maximum power transmission specification of the cable is mainly divided into two types, 60W / 100W, which is divided into 3A cable / 5A cable according to the current. Except for the ThunderBolt cable, the power transmission performance of other cables is not directly related to the data transmission performance. If you want to get a fast charging performance higher than 60W (3A), a 100W (5A) cable is necessary. Please read the product description when purchasing. If you buy the wrong one, the power will be limited and cannot exceed 60W (3A).
3A Cable
3A cable is one of the most widely used cables on the market, and the appearance of the cable and the terminals are not clearly marked. From the literal meaning of "3A", it can be understood that its maximum transmission current value is 3A. Based on the USB PD3.0 maximum voltage of 20V, its maximum fast charging power is 60W.3A cables generally do not add E-Marker chips, and are also designed and manufactured in accordance with this power specification in terms of cable core thickness, and cost control.
The 60W fast charging power is sufficient for ordinary mobile phones, tablets, Switch game consoles, and the price is relatively low. Many chargers below 60W are equipped with 3A cables as standard.
5A Cable
Compared with the 3A cable, the requirements for all aspects of the cable are more stringent. In terms of appearance, 5A cables are generally clearly marked with the word "5A" on the outer packaging and at the head of the cable for easy identification by users. "5A", it can be understood that its maximum transmission current value is 5A. Based on the USB PD3.0 maximum voltage of 20V, its maximum fast charging power is 100W.The 5A cable must have a built-in 5A E-Marker chip. During the "information negotiation" between the power supply device and the powered device, the key parameter that the cable supports 5A can be obtained, and the entire fast charging system can break through the 3A current transmission limitation. The production, design and produce process of 5A cable are more complicated.
The 100W fast charging power can be used for flagship fast charging mobile phones, high-performance notebooks, high-power power banks and other devices with higher requirements. In terms of price, manufacturers are more willing to pay attention to the appearance design, wear resistance and tensile design on the 5A cable. Improve product durability, and the price of 5A cable will be higher.
Some frequent asking questions:
- Can 3A cable and 5A cable be mixed?
Very few notebooks have strict requirements, and it is mandatory to charge 20V3.25A or more, that is, 65W or more. If a 3A cable is used, the notebook only detects 20V3A, which is 60W, and will refuse to charge.
- The 5A cable is so good, is the 3A cable still worth buying?
- Why are 5A cables rarely seen in extra-long styles such as 2 meters?
- Does buy a 5A cable must support 5A current?
- Does the Thunderbolt cable have to be 5A current?
- What is the current cable for USB-C to Lightning?
- Is the data transfer speed of the 3A cable 5A cable directly related?
Summarize
Today share with you the specific differences between 3A cables and 5A cables. They are different in terms of the production process, material specifications, price, and flexibility. For users with more than 3A power transmission equipment, 5A cables can get a better fast charging experience.Huwder 5A Cable support PD3.1 fast charging
https://huwder.com/products/pd31-usb-c-to-usb-c-rapid-charge-cable-max-240w-5a
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