> For charging? They pretty much are [the same].

If only that were true: https://www.engadget.com/2015-11-04-google-pixel-engineer-vs...

I've had more trouble with crappy USB-C cables [charging only] in the short time that's been a thing than the entire time of micro-USB.

Do they all support the high voltage modes? USB PD goes up to 20V/5A (100W).

https://www.cui.com/blog/usb-type-c-pd-and-pps#usb-power-del...

Yes, and if approved USB PD EPR (extended power range) proposal, will take it to 240 Watts over USB-C connectors.

This moves USB close to the domain in which government regulation has long been necessary for safety reasons.

It may be the case that the EU believes a standard domestic DC power supply is imminent and the EU believes PD (EPR) over USB-C meets the need.

If so, that would make sense, and I am pleased to see the EU trying to get ahead to standardise and remove risk from vendors as well as consumers.

By analogy, California had no natural right to export its CAFE automotive regulations. Yet CA had the foresight to cause that to happen anyway. Bravo.

Yes. The A4 and A9 (A1 and A19 are ground) are the only pins that transmit power. Putting 20V/5A through the copper is not a problem even for the cheapest cable.

edit: Ok looking at the other reply with the link to the google engineers stuff some have messed up the A5 (configuration channel) pin and thus the negotiation for giving more power fails and just defaults to normal levels that are safe for any device.

Sure the wire can almost certainly handle it, but are the contacts always going to be able to handle 5A? They are very small after all, and not treated very nicely. Not sure how it's handled by the protocol, but I've known cables to get hot due to contact resistance.