Interchangable Chargers

Pineapple88

Hi guys,

I'm not very tech minded so wondered if one of you lovely people could answer this question?

I read today that a charger with a USB port (like the ones you get with mobile phone) can be used to charge any other device with a USB cable, ie other phones, ipods and mp3 players. Is this correct and will it do any damage to the device?

I am getting a new ipod touch and would like to charge it from the mains rather than using my laptop all the time. Rather than shelling out for a mains charger would I be able to use the USB cable to connect the ipod to my LG phone charger?

Thanks :j

buglawton

New iPod touches should come with a charger, or at very least a cable that plugs into a completely standard USB style charger plug.

Pineapple88

Yes it comes with a USB cable but not a mains charger (ie with 3 pin plug). I am concerned that if it plug it into my phone charger it will damage the ipod?

Bollotom

I believe the "Standardisation" is for the mains plug that plugs into the wall and there's a detachable USB connecting lead and the gadget connector at the other end of the wire, to plug into your ipad, phone, etc. :cool:

kwikbreaks

The thing to question with this type of charger is can it supply the current that the gadget is designed to take as they will all be 5v.

Typical phone chargers are maybe 1A (1000ma) and it's likely that will be enough for an iPod Touch. Where problems can occur is in charging a tablet on a phone charger because a proper tablet charger is likely to be able to supply at least 2A (2000ma) and sometimes more. The gadget will probably be fine but the wrong charger could get very very hot and be destroyed or even catch fire. Check your charger rating label and compare it to the correct gadget charger rating if at all possible.

PC USB sockets will only supply 500ma but that is regulated by the PC so they won't be harmed if a potentially high power device is connected.

buglawton

You can charge iPads using the standard 3 pod USB plugs, it just takes all night. iPad does not indicate it is charging but is. With reputable brands of usb charger plug eg as supplied with a phone nothing gets hot - the iPad knows it can only draw so much current.