USB PD Plugs (Power Sharing)

[Gamefreaknet]

If a USB PD Plug is rated at 240w I am assuming it means its theoretical output (240w limit) is shared between all the outputs not each output can do 240w. That being said is there a device where you could plug in to measure the output of your various devices to be certain you don't exceed the plugs "limited" wattage?
I am currently looking at either: (For a Docking Station (100w Power Supply not provided) - Linked Here)
Anker 100w Plug - Here
Seen some AC Adapters (Not sure if they'd work although rated for 100w USB C ) - Example Plug
(Intend to Save for - Ugreen Nexode 300w)
I am open to any other PD plug suggestions - Preferably 65w+ [My current station I am looking at will require PD 100w+]

 

[Ralston18]

PD being "Power Delivery" - correct?

Wattage is shared.

And I would be leery of stated "max" values. No way to immediately determine how that value was determined. Likely under ideal circumstances that are not real world practical.

Also note the chargers require an AC source (wall outlet). Not always clearly shown or noted in the device images.

Some do not come with cables.

One way to monitor the "wattage" would be to use something like a Kill-A-Watt meter placed between wall outlet and the PD to observe wattage.

https://www.harborfreight.com/kill-a-watt-electric-monitor-93519.html

(Note: not a product recommendation or endorsement per se.)

However, the Kill-a-Watt is popular for such purposes and I do have one to keep an eye on power usage and support troubleshooting efforts.

My overall suggestion being is to stay with the applicable manufacturer's provided charging devices and not get drawn into a "one charger to power them all" temptation.

Too much to go wrong - one way or another.

Just my thoughts and suggestions.

 

[hotaru.hino]

There are USB devices you can plug between the charger and the device being charged that can measure the voltage and current (power can be obtained by multiplying the two) going through them. Off the top of my head if you search for "Makerhawk" on Amazon, you can find several of such devices.

On a note about charging with a lot of devices, as long as you use a charger from a reputable company, you don't actually have to worry about exceeding its capacity. The charger can select a different USB-PD power profile for a higher power device if the total between all devices exceeds the maximum output. So for instance if you have a 100W charger and you initially plug in a device that uses the 5A@20V (100W) profile, then you stick a device in that uses say the 3A@9V (27W) profile, the charger will drop the first device to the 3A@20V (60W) profile, assuming the device said it could use it

 

[Gamefreaknet]

There are USB devices you can plug between the charger and the device being charged that can measure the voltage and current (power can be obtained by multiplying the two) going through them. Off the top of my head if you search for "Makerhawk" on Amazon, you can find several of such devices.

On a note about charging with a lot of devices, as long as you use a charger from a reputable company, you don't actually have to worry about exceeding its capacity. The charger can select a different USB-PD power profile for a higher power device if the total between all devices exceeds the maximum output. So for instance if you have a 100W charger and you initially plug in a device that uses the 5A@20V (100W) profile, then you stick a device in that uses say the 3A@9V (27W) profile, the charger will drop the first device to the 3A@20V (60W) profile, assuming the device said it could use it

I am looking to get a 100w Thunderbolt 3/4 dock for my PC however in the Amazon page they state it does NOT come with the cable. I had a quick look on Amazon to see what my options were (for a 100w+ PD3.0 USB-C cable) and came up with these results:
Laptop Charger (Up to 100w)
Anker USB-C with Cable 100w (PowerIQ 3.0 not PD so not sure how this would work)
140w USB-C PD3.1 Charger...
Whilst I am open to any of these options I am not sure which would "perform" best for the power station?
Also in terms of cables: (not sure which would be best to use):
UGreen 240w USB C PD3.1
(Whole lot of other options but not sure which would work best?)

 

[hotaru.hino]

"Performs best" depends on what you want. At the bare minimum the charger needs to support amount of power you need.

For separate cabling at 100W or higher, I recommend finding an E-marked cable, as this helps ensure that you can get the power you need out of a USB-PD charger. It's required anyway for to get more than 100W out of a charger that supports it.