Quite the crucifixion going on in here. I'd like to pose a question — who has cracked the case on my Pixel C charger and made sure it's not at fault or damaged? While we think about that, let's talk about a few other things ...
Most are overlooking the real issue, which all lies on the shoulders of the USB consortium and/or any other regulating body that approves consumer electrical equipment — the USB -C spec is flawed if it allows this to happen, because there is no power/volatage/amperage/continuity limiting feature that trips a circuit break before anything "dangerous" happens, and (
this is the important part) the connector is approved for end-users.
One day there will be an issue with HTC not following the USB spec pinout on the leads with the 10 (and LG with the G5), but the issue will be non-functioning USB peripherals, not one of safety. Some cool USB-C powered Midi keyboard or headset/waffle iron combo will require the source/sync leads to match the USB-C spec, and it won't work with the HTC10 or the G5. Or the next gen of Android Auto won't be able to charge the HTC 10 and G5 while they're plugged in because the voltage pins aren't doing what they are expected to do.
Feel free to bash anyone and everyone you will, but there are already safeguards in place for connectors by regulating bodies, and they aren't being followed for equipment using a USB-C cable. It's very easy to wire approved connectors and cable assemblies and meet any and all regulations in a way that will ruin equipment and/or kill people that use them,
but you can't buy any of them off the shelf at Best Buy. Look at any industrial application for proof.
Let's say you work on an assembly line that injection molds plastic parts for the auto industry. If a piece of machinery needs moved or connected to a power source, there are people working in your plant who are qualified to do it — the line workers don't just unplug a heater core or wire a plug and connector for a new one. Those aren't consumer applications, and it's expected that the people using a plastic cord cap that's rated up to 600v and 40 amps will make sure that the source and the equipment match before they plug it in, because it can be used in many applications This is why the equipment needs a trained worker to install and doesnt come with a cord and plug wired and hanging out of the side. If you try to do it yourself and make blue sparks and big bangs, will you get on a forum and say FMC is a fault for selling the equipment or that Hubbell is in the wrong because their wiring device let you do something stupid? Will your boss say the same thing, or will you be looking for a new job when he or she finds out you didn't let the mechanical crew do their job?
A toaster can't be sold using a connector that can plug into the same 600 volt 40 amp line, even though there are plenty of single phase connectors that would be able to do so and meet any and all "specs" for use. Consumer safety regulations prevent this from happening, not the approved-use specs of the equipment itself.
We're confusing the two. The real issue is that the type-c connector is ALLOWED to be used in ways that won't disable the connection if a source/end-point mismatch can cause harm to equipment or people. It's a CONSUMER product, like the connector on a toaster and not an industrial product designed to be used by folks who know WTF they are doing like the cord and connector that's as thick as your arm on the floor behind a piece of machinery that welds a car door.
Until the connector can only be used if it follows a certain spec or guideline, it shouldn't be a consumer product.
HTC, Qualcomm and the OEM who built the Pixel C power source did what they are allowed to do and the units in question were all approved for consumer use by regulating bodies. Who is at fault for me plugging a Pixel C charger assembly into the HTC 10?
ME. That's who. On the other hand, the plug fit into the hole, and it was reasonable to think that it would be safe (or not work if it isn't).
A bent paper clip soldered to a 20 gauge nickle wound heater coil will also fit into a USB-C connector, and get pretty damn hot before it trips a circuit breaker. If I do that, do we say that Google/Foxconn did it wrong, or that I'm stupid for doing it? It fits into the damn hole, so I'm gonna do it and find a lawyer. Guess how far I'll get. Now imagine if I sold a nickel wound heater coil prewired to a USB C connector to you so you could do it, too. The outcome would be pretty different.
Assuming that there is nothing wrong with my HTC 10 or my Pixel C charger, who is at fault when plugging a cable approved for consumer use into a connector approved for consumer use that perfectly fit each other, but are electrically incompatible? In my case, I'm trained and licensed in several states regarding the use of electrical equipment, so I'll say I'm responsible still. If you're not, the folks who let them be sold as approved for consumer use when one or both aren't using the same electrical specs (but still approved for sale) are at fault. These people said it's perfectly fine to manufacture and sell a device that's not following the recommended (
not mandatory) specifications for electrical safety, and approved both pieces of the puzzle. The only way to fix it is make the specs mandatory, instead of saying it's fine for one company do to it a different way— which is exactly what happened with the HTC 10 and the LG G5. Nobody did anything wrong, and UL/Ce mark approval says just that. Maybe what they did NEEDS to be made wrong.
Tl;dr — either you need more governmental regulation over the use of a type-c connector and cable, or you assume personal responsibility for using them with equipment that's compatible.
Only use the damn cable and charger that the people who built your phone say to use, or make sure it's compatible yourself. Or wire
one of these to your electric range circuit and to your HTC 10 charging cable and try to plug it in after you've filled out your last will and testament, because you can't buy a USB cable with one pre-wired to the end.
Now, let the cries of HTC apologist or whatever begin. I've heard it all before when i say you need to be responsible for what you do and what you use, (or somebody else needs to make sure you can't easily do it) and I'll hear it again when I do it the next time.
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