Re:The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used
by Dylan16807 on Thursday September 23, 2021 @01:10AM
(#28625389)
The chip in the cable just identifies it. Cables don't request voltages.
And the cheap cables won't have that chip, so they'll support 60 watts.
The advantage of USB 2 is that it's so simple that it's very hard to screw it up. You pretty much have to intentionally do it if you want to create a dangerous cable. Even the shittiest cable will work with the vast majority of devices (it might slightly heat up, voltage may sag at the receiving end meaning it will charge slower, but it'll somewhat work).
USB-C is significantly more complex and requires active electronics in the cable itself in some cases, and the potential for higher voltages means a faulty/recklessly-designed cable could request higher voltage from the charger and blow up whatever's connected at the other end.