UK to specify new charging cable standard

I thought it was the standard, all computers and devices I have bought over the the last two years, have USBc connectors for charging and data transfer.

It's irrelevant. No one makes products just for the UK, so the EU law would prevail here anyway, even if it wasn't legally required here.

Some other EU initiatives I would like to see here are all rechargeable batteries must be user-replaceable, and all portable tools must use the same format interchangeable rechargeable batteries.

Apparently that's a little but too EU-ey for the UK now. Hence the need for a consultation.

We ought to be able to get away with doing nothing, manufacturers aren't likely to produce UK specific models that are non-USB.

I think you are mistaken. Why else spend a lot of money consulting ?

It's amazing how many people didn't get the memo about Brexit. If teh EU are doing it, then the UK cannot. It's that simple.

Why else did we have a referendum ?

Such laws would interfere with our right to be royally f***ed by manufacturers. That's just part of the freedom that the Brexiteers have won us.

Indeed. the new iPhone 17 with "UK only" charging cable at 3x what the EU pay for it being a clear win.

But, but, but SOVEREIGNTY !!!!!

It is intolerable that having left the EU, the UK has to suffer their meddling with free trade by having "standards". Really.

I'm definitely in favour of both of those.

Best of both worlds ... most things are going to be USB, but nobody's going to get prosecuted for selling things powered by a DC barrel jack.

Why would we limit ourselves to what the EU is doing? If it becomes a world standard (i.e. follow the USA) there will be some cost benefits.

The UK mains plug is world beating (especially if they step on it). Why not reuse a design classic that has stood the test of time?

That UK legislators don't bother wasting time on stuff that will be decided by markets now that they have been "nudged" by rules elsewhere.

-- Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\ | Internode Ltd -

The former, certainly. The latter is a good idea, but has significant problems of how to get there from here...

The Ceenr / PD Nation effort seems to be the closest we have at the moment, but that is a third party effort with a standard battery and then multiple interface shells that clip on top to match the tool.

Assuming they are making reasonably high end batteries, then you can probably get satisfactory performance from most tools. Ideally though it would be good if they can charge from the tools specific chargers as well.

The big name makers could probably devise a way to "split" their own batteries in the same way so that the interface can be swapped - but there are likely some platforms where the interface is not going to be form factor compatible with other brands of battery.

The (unlikely) alternative would be them all finally agreeing on a standard platform, which then requires them all to adopt a new interface. That then has a big negative impact on existing owners that their current battery platform then becomes obsolete.

I can also see issues with low cost tool brands shipping "universal" batteries that in theory fit other brands but can't deliver the performance.

'However, the agency notes that having USB-C as a common charging port should mean that one charger will work for multiple devices. It may also allow manufacturers to "unbundle" the sale of a charger, meaning that consumers have the option to purchase new devices without a charger.'

The same applied when all the phones/tablets had micro-USB-B.

At least with USB-C you can stick it in either way round (as the actress said to the bishop).

It sounds like they need to quote 'Cold Cranking Amps' as well as voltage and capacity. One of the issues with using adapters is that you add additional resistance which reduces the CCA (or maybe Warm CA) so higher power tools don't perform as well.

But there's a tendency for batteries to go higher voltage - 40/56/60/72v, with each manufacturer picking something different. That makes it more of a headache to settle on a standard specification.

Theo

I can certainly think of a couple of youtubers who do tool tests, one does show you lose performance when using e.g. makita->dewalt adapters, the other slated the "generic battery fits multiple tools" due to crappy charging arrangements and the tools kept cutting out.

"wasting time - and _money_ - don't forget the money John!

Who the hell [in the new UK Government] suggested this? Did they cave to the ubiquitous lobbyists? Why don't they have the gonads, these, people to dismiss things like this out of hand? They're supposed to be governing, not running round saying "Is this alright, anyone?"

John

• "us" meaning anyone with a brain worthy of someone over the age of 11).

Wahey! :-D