Making USB Cables Behave

[rgsparber]

I have a few USB cables that are left connected when not in use. It is mildly annoying that they never want to stay coiled up. This article explains how I re-educated these cables so they naturally go into a coil when not in use.

If you are interested, please see

http://rick.sparber.org/MUCB.pdf

Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.


Thanks,

Rick

[olderdan]

Another clever trick for making life easier, I will try that tomorrow.
Thanks for posting.

[bobs409]

I especially like the red dot idea! It's a 50/50 chance you'll get it right but rarely happens. lol

[rgsparber]

Yeah, when I'm so dopy that I still plug the USB in wrong, it is time for a nap...

Rick

[mklotz]

I just checked through the dozen plus USB rechargers in the basket by my desk and every one has the usb icon...

http://www.usb.org/developers/docs/icon_design.pdf

in bas-relief on the female side of the jack. Thus if you have the icon face-up when you insert it into a horizontally oriented receptacle, all will be well.

[rgsparber]

Marv

You must live right. My PC and my wall warts have no markings.

[mklotz]

Marv

You must live right. My PC and my wall warts have no markings.

No, the marks are on the JACKS that are inserted into the receptacles in the PC, wall wart, etc. My wall warts have no markings, nor does the USB extension cord that brings access to the PC USB receptacles up to my desktop.

[rgsparber]

Marv,

The red dot is redundant on the jack but the one on the PC or wall wart is not. I can more easily see a red dot on the cable than the logo so add it.

[Frank S]

my laptop has both the USB 2.0 and the USB 3.0 jacks they are opposite in orientation 3.0 icon up 2.0 icon down
the usb jacks I hate are the mini jacks +-

[PJs]

Cool Idea Rick. I Like the red dot too and will use that trick especially on wall warts. I like the color coding instead of trying to read braille in low light with trifocals. I like to use Velcro cable ties for some of those longer ones and bundles too. Once coiled and tied they will retain the coil after a short time. But for Cphones or tablets that you may need to pull out further...yours is a Good Ideer.

Also like the idea of retractable ones but found the commercial ones not overly reliable.

It's funny about USB cables either being too long or two short and then of course "which version" of ends for which devices. The cable mfg's must be having conniptions and making a mint between USB, HDMI, & ethernet.

I think this is current for USB...


I'm also in the midst of routing all new Ethernet Cat 7 cables for to achieve max throughput and reliability as soon as they get here. May try your trick on them as well because the CAT7 have thicker shield and coating. I'll do a test to make sure they aren't damaged but should work I think.

Thanks for the trick!

PJ