sparks & usb cable

[xxTurbonium]

Simple question:

Can sparks damage a USB cable alone? Literally just a USB cable...

My guess is definitely not.

And what if the cable is attached to a printer that is not plugged in (4ft. cable, with the sparks on the opposite end of the cable that the printer is). Can it somehow reach the printer and damage it somehow?

My guess is probably not.

And if you're wondering what the source of the sparks is... The tip of the USB cable touched the metallic arms of a halogen desk lamp I have (the desk lamp was still plugged in). I'm assuming it's due to poor insulation within the lamp, and there was a short through the two arms through the USB head.

 

[robisbell]

the electrical charge can travel down the cable and damage the printer. the cable is a conduit.

 

[corkyg]

That could also zap your USB controller. Why ask? Test and see. It either works or it doesn't.

 

[xxTurbonium]

What's a USB controller? A USB cable has that? I thought it was just a wire.

And I'm asking it as a general nerd question. It's not all about my situation.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: databird
Simple question:

Can sparks damage a USB cable alone? Literally just a USB cable...

My guess is definitely not.

If the cable sparked then that means it was at some other potential than the item it contacted.
At the very least its acting as a wire, and when you see the spark its conducting current.
If that current is outside the spec for the wire gauge then it could damage it.

And what if the cable is attached to a printer that is not plugged in (4ft. cable, with the sparks on the opposite end of the cable that the printer is). Can it somehow reach the printer and damage it somehow?

My guess is probably not.

Does not matter if the printer is plugged in.
Capacitors on the printers interface board could still maintain a charge.
If that charge is shorted it could damage something on the board.
Its not likely but it is possible.

If you see a spark, then the circuit is being completed somewhere , with the end you touched to the lamp being just half of the path.

 

[corkyg]

Bottom line - the USB ports are run by a USB controller on the mobo. But . . . why not just try and run a USB device and report back? Yea of nay! The USB ports are good or they are not. If they are goiod - then they work. If not they won't work. No harm either way and we quit dithering.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Bottom line - the USB ports are run by a USB controller on the mobo. But . . . why not just try and run a USB device and report back? Yea of nay! The USB ports are good or they are not. If they are goiod - then they work. If not they won't work. No harm either way and we quit dithering.

Because this thread was wasting your precious time, amirite?