Amazon eliminates faulty charging cables from online shop

Monday, April 4, 2016 - 14:55 by Graham Miller

USB-C is the latest wired connectivity standard, replacing traditional USB inputs with a new type of port and cable that allows for charging and data transfer to occur.

Modern smartphones, laptop computers and tablets are starting to embrace USB-C in large numbers and it is only a matter of time before it becomes ubiquitous. But cheap USB-C cables which do not meet with regulatory guidelines on safety have been causing problems for thousands of people in the UK and around the world, causing expensive gadgets to suffer permanent damage and even posing a fire risk.

This is why e-commerce giant, Amazon, has taken action and chosen to roll out a ban on subpar cables, meaning that people can now shop online for this type of product with confidence, according to the Guardian.

The issues with cheaper cables typically arise because they feature the wrong type of resistor, meaning that an unsafe amount of power can be pulled from a mains connection. Problems with the wiring of cables have also been reported, leading to further concerns.

The introduction of any new connection standard usually leads to this kind of issue, especially when companies race to offer the least expensive product to support it. But when plugging in a device worth hundreds of pounds, it is worth paying a little extra for the cable to get peace of mind.

Amazon’s decision to step in and act as an arbiter of cable quality makes sense, especially since its platform for safe shopping online allows third party sellers to offer their wares to its customers. This means that its own reputation is at stake if a faulty product is sold, encouraging it to enact this ban on affordable yet poorly made electronic items.