What do i plug the usb end into ?

[Dadam]

but for practical purposes I think there are two levels that you are likely to encounter?

It's way more complicated than that, but for the OP's purposes there are several levels of possible charging wattage, from "very slow" to "quite fast" and the devices will work at the level that they will all support. If you're having trouble sleeping here's the wiki page!

It's a device with a usb A plug, so i doubt it's a phone!

The original dumb USB A port could only deliver 2.5 watts. I think later enhancements allow 10 or 12 watts.

An appropriate USB C port can deliver well over 200 watts; the device has to request/negotiate this.



As for charging from a laptop when it's switched off, the "BIOS" is usually where you activate this capability.

It's not the USB A port which is the limiting factor, it's the version of the USB standard support by the chipset wired to the port.
A USB-3.1 compatible port would still take a USB-1.1 cable and provide the low power, but it could support up to 100 watts on the USB-PD (power delivery) standard if the cable and device being charged are compliant.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Without knowing the type of device you are wanting to charge then it is diccicult to be sure

but basically anything that the USB plug will fit into (without using a hammer!) will probably work

SO a laptop or computer will have one and you can get plug that have them on so you can charge from any main socket
some modern new fangled wall plugs have them integrated

based on the magnetic connector I assume the power required to charge is wuite low so anything will probably be enough


Oh - and it a Law of The Universe that when you try to plug one of those in you always have it the wrong way round first time - that is just The Law





and finally - see how I have managed to type all that without any smutty innuendo!!!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

USB A is only included in USB PD 1.0 max watts 60W. More than enough for a fast charge of a phone.

 

[Dadam]

Oh - and it a Law of The Universe that when you try to plug one of those in you always have it the wrong way round first time - that is just The Law

Yep, despite there being only 2 apparent options of which way to plug a USB-A cable into its port, you will always need at least 3 attempts.

Attempt 1: the right way round* but it won't go in. Must be the wrong way round.
Attempt 2: actually the wrong way, nope that was never gonna work!
Attempt 3: the right way round and this time it goes in.... maybe.

* If you try the wrong way round first, you will actually require 4 attempts not 2

 

[Dave7]

Yes. If it fits it’ll work. Assuming the device you’re charging is in working order.

Update.
I charged it this morning and all seems good.
1st time ive ever seen those magnetic connections (i live a very sheltered life).
I found thad i had to be careful as the magnetism works but the 2 connecting points have to be spot on.

 

[lazybloke]

It's not the USB A port which is the limiting factor, it's the version of the USB standard support by the chipset wired to the port.

It's both the chipset (or controller) and the port.
USB C has additional communication lines for additional negotiation; you cannot deliver USB C capabilities over a USB A connector.

USB A is only included in USB PD 1.0 max watts 60W. More than enough for a fast charge of a phone.

Ooo interesting, got a link to such a charger? It's not something I'm aware of.
Whenever I've seen a high power PD charger, that's for C sockets, not A.

If there is an A socket, it's typically much lower power delivery than the C socket.

Some chargers have multiple A sockets for simultaneous chargers. The blurb might even say "high power" but that's for total charge, not usually a single "A" socket.


Edit: this is all so geeky.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

It's both the chipset (or controller) and the port.
USB C has additional communication lines for additional negotiation; you cannot deliver USB C capabilities over a USB A connector.



Ooo interesting, got a link to such a charger? It's not something I'm aware of.
Whenever I've seen a high power PD charger, that's for C sockets, not A.

If there is an A socket, it's typically much lower power delivery than the C socket.

Some chargers have multiple A sockets for simultaneous chargers. The blurb might even say "high power" but that's for total charge, not usually a single "A" socket.


Edit: this is all so geeky.

Take a look at these guys. Been pleased with their products.

https://www.ldnio.com/products-category/phone-charger.html

 

[Dadam]

It's both the chipset (or controller) and the port.
USB C has additional communication lines for additional negotiation; you cannot deliver USB C capabilities over a USB A connector.

I don't dispute any of that and never meant to imply I did. Maybe I should have said the USB-A port does not necessarily limit charging power to the original 2.5W. The USB-PD standard has been part of the USB spec since 3.1 and thus some USB-A ports linked to USB 3.1 controllers could supply much more. The wiki article I linked suggests some USB 3.1 controllers compatible with early USB-PD standards could supply up to 100W, but I guess wording could be misleading or plain wrong.