The USB standard is touted for its ability to connect devices of all types with uniform consistency, however it’s not quite as universal as it may seem.
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) was designed as a standard to allow users to connect any device to any port, enabling effortless charging and data transfer. However, while modern technology has largely fulfilled this promise — many of us can charge our laptops, smartphones, wearables, and headphones using the same charger — this convenience may be misleading. Beneath the standardized shapes of USB Type-C and USB Type-A ports lies a confusing landscape of differing voltage standards, proprietary power delivery protocols, and cost-cutting manufacturing practices. Not all ports are the same, nor are the devices we connect to them.
While most modern electronic devices have fail-safes to prevent any mishap — for example, overcharging — there are some specific gadgets that are surprisingly fragile. In some cases, a simple mismatch at a USB port can cause overvoltage or a missing handshake protocol, leading to corrupted data, fried circuit boards, and even a fire hazard.
We have rounded up five such common devices that require extra caution before you plug them into a USB port.The Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch — which is built in China and Vietnam — is one of the most popular victims of the USB-C confusion. When the console first launched, countless users reported „bricking“ their devices after using third-party docks. The issue became so widespread that engineers began tearing down the console to find the culprit. It turns out that while the Switch uses a USB-C connector, it does not strictly adhere to the standard USB-C Power Delivery (PD) protocols.
An engineer on Reddit explained the specific issue as something often related to the „Configuration Channel“ (CC) pin. In a compliant USB-C PD system, this pin is used to negotiate power levels. However, Nintendo’s proprietary implementation, along with the M92T36 Power Delivery chip inside the Switch, has an absolute maximum voltage rating of 6 volts on this specific pin.
The problem arises with poorly made third-party docks or chargers. Some cheaper accessories, like those trying to mimic the official dock’s HDMI output, accidentally sent 9 volts through that sensitive CC pin during the power negotiation handshake. This overvoltage instantly fried the power management chip, making the console unable to charge or turn on. So, it is always best to use the official Nintendo charger, and if you have to use third-party docks, it is highly recommended to get them from a trusted, reputable brand.
