Satechi announces the Type-C Power Meter-- a device allowing customers to check the power draw from accessories connected to a laptop or smartphone via USB-C port.
The Type-C Power Meter is a pass-through device, with one end plugging into the USB-C of the host notebook or smartphone and the other plugging into whichever accessory the user wants to monitor. A small display shows real-time voltage and current measurements, as well current over time and power flow direction.
Such readings can be useful to determine whether connected devices are drawing too much power from the notebook, or whether they are working within vendor specifications. After all, suspicious power readings can point out whether a device is counterfeit or not.
Counterfeit devices can actually prove dangerous-- according to Google engineer Benson Leung 3rd party USB-C cables might not be properly wired for laptop charging, and can lead to laptop, USB hub or charger damage.
