Product Review

The Plugable USBC-VAMETER is a portable USB-C multi-meter that was designed to measure voltage and amperage (charge rate) for USB-C devices.

Introduction

Plugable is already well known for our advanced USBC-TKEY USB 3.1 Type-C (USB-C) Power Delivery Sniffer based on Google's open source "Twinkie" design, but for many users it provides far more functionality than required and is more complex to setup (requiring a Linux computer). For most users a simple stand-alone, plug and play, on-the-go solution is required and the USBC-VAMETER is the perfect solution with its ability to display USB-C voltage, amperage, and current flow direction in real time.

Common uses

-Connecting between a USB-C host system like a laptop, tablet, or cell phone and a charger to monitor charge information.
-Connecting between a USB-C host and docking station to monitor charge information.
-Connecting between a USB-C host system and a USB-C bus powered accessory like an external hard drive, flash drive, etc to measure power draw of a device.
-Testing for USB-C port spec compliance such as a VBUS hot condition, voltage drop under load, etc. This meter is not meant to replace professional USB-C testing equipment, it is designed for quick and easy measurements for users at any skill level.

Compatibility

We designed this meter to act as a transparent interposer which means it should not interfere with the USB data (1.1 through 3.1 Gen 2), USB-C Alternate Mode video, or USB-C charging. Can be used inline with USB-C docking stations, chargers, USB-C accessories. The meter is able to achieve this without interfering with normal USB-C operation as it only taps into the power (VBUS) and ground connections to measure their values and leaves all of the data lines untouched.