How to test a USB cable?

Question

So bear with me, as I have a very limited knowledge of electronics.

I cut an old USB cable and tinned the wires so I can test them.

I know on a USB cable the red and black wires are 5V and ground. The other two are for data. I can easily test the 5V and ground with a multimeter, but how could I test the other two to see if they're working?

Can you even test those? Can you use a multimeter?

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 13 '18 at 20:52

2

I have a lot of experience doing that and the best way to test it is to connect both ends to something and see if they work. You cannot use a multimeter to test the two data wires, because multimeters test how much electricity passes through. Hope this helps somewhat.

edited Dec 13 '18 at 20:52

Worthwelle

4,538
11
21
32

answered Apr 21 '13 at 02:55

Hunter

187
1
2
10

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 13 '18 at 19:46

You can test using the Ohmmeter setting of a multimeter.

With the probes not touching anything it should read infinite. Touch the probes to each other and it should read zero.

Touch the probes to the two ends of the cable. Should read zero (or VERY low resistance)

That will tell you if there is a break in the cable

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 21 '13 at 03:36

1

You should be able to test all the wires with a multimeter. This site talked about a similar project, and he suggested plugging in a mouse to see if it works. http://www.androidcentral.com/weekend-project-diy-usb-go-old-cables. Hope this helps!

answered Apr 21 '13 at 03:36

Joe

21
2

How to test a USB cable?

3 Answers3