About This Item
For a multimeter, the Plugable USB-C Amperage and Volt Tester (USBC-VAMETER) manages to fit a lot of useful features into a sturdy little package. About the size of a USB flash drive, this bidirectional USB tester allows for full USB data passthrough while it monitors USB-C power and charging, measures voltage and amperage, and even visualizes the directional flow of electrical current—all in real time. Connect the USB voltage tester inline between a USB-C host system like a laptop, tablet, or cell phone and a charger to use it as a USB voltage meter or power consumption meter. An updated OLED digital screen means a brighter and easier-to-read display in any lighting conditions, and a new orientation button lets you flip the screen with a click. This multi-meter is a transparent interposer—it should not interfere with USB data (1.1 through 3.1 Gen 2), USB-C Alternate Mode video, or USB-C charging. The USB-C tester can be used inline with USB-C docking stations, chargers, and other USB-C accessories without interfering with normal USB-C operation, as it only taps into the power (VBUS) and ground connections to measure values while leaving the data lines untouched. Common uses include connecting between a USB-C host system like a laptop, tablet, or cell phone and a charger to monitor charge information; connecting between a USB-C host and docking station to monitor charge information; connecting between a USB-C host system and a USB-C bus-powered accessory like an external hard drive or flash drive to measure power draw of a device; and testing for USB-C port spec compliance such as a VBUS hot condition or voltage drop under load. This meter is not meant to replace professional USB-C testing equipment—it is designed for quick and easy measurements for users at any skill level.
