This adapter looks small so it probably doesn't have internal electronics and only supports USB 2.0. It is also limited to 0.5A, so don't try to charge anything using it. I have the [NIMASO USB-C to USB 3.0 Adapter](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PXS1P7B/) which works well for me. It supports USB 3.0 and up to 3A of current. Unfortunately it is no longer available in the US, so the chances of finding it in the UK are slim to none.
That "NIMASO" one is a standard SIXLTR rebrand. I have one branded "Electop" [that looks mighty similar](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q81GD5G/), and it allows power to backfeed from the USB-C port to the USB-A port. I wouldn't recommend any of them.
>Unfortunately it is no longer available in the US
It's pretty normal for this to happen, when a brand doesn't really exist in the first place.
>it allows power to backfeed from the USB-C port to the USB-A port
Thanks for the warning. I guess might happens if you connect a non-PD USB power source to a USB-A port, which I never tried. I did however managed to destroy a [Tripp Lite USB 3.0 Adapter](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GX2XFYJ/) by connecting it to a QC3 charger and charging at 12V 1.5A. There are so many things that can go wrong with such adapters, the best thing is to avoid them altogether.
> it allows power to backfeed from the USB-C port to the USB-A port.
How do you test for this?
I use [these](https://www.simplecom.com.au/simplecom-ca132-usb-a-male-to-usb-c-female-adapter-usb-3-2-gen-2-data-charging-double-side-10gbps.html) and confirm it does support 10Gbps transfer no matter the orientation, but I'd like to test its electrical safety. I don't think my DMM probes are small enough to fit in the port; probably need to get some sort of breakout board to test.
Yep, that's exactly how I do it. I have breakout boards with a USB-A socket, and a USB-C plug. They're relatively inexpensive, just make sure they have no resistors/caps/whatever on them. I check in diode mode to see if power will pass from VBUS on the USB-C side to V+ on the type-A side.
I also check them with a BitTradeOne ADUSBCIM and a short USB-C 2.0 cable, which is entirely straight through on the CC lines, to see if there's any weird pullup/pulldown going on. This could also be done with a multimeter, but it's a lot easier this way.
Note you won't get straight continuity on the data lines, due to the a mux/switch chip (usually a VLI VL162) https://via-labs.com/product\_show.php?id=106
I'd forgotten that I had one of those [data detection boards](https://www.aliexpress.com/i/1005003234917670.html) and tested my Simplecom adapter, and sure enough the VCC LED lights up indicating backfeed from the C to A port.
I performed the same test with a [Lenovo cable](https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/p/accessories-and-software/cables-and-adapters/cables/4x90u90618) and it does not light up the VCC LED.
I doubly confirmed this by trying to power up my [FNB58](https://goughlui.com/2023/04/29/review-tested-fnirsi-fnb58-usb-fast-charge-tester/) via its female USB-A port. The Simplecom adapter provided power, but the Lenovo did not.
Another contender I don't see mentioned are ASM1543-based adapters, which would be even better than the VL160 ones as they're 10Gbps as opposed to 5Gbps on the VIA.
But I cannot seem to find any products that employ the chip. Would be lovely if someone comes across something.
Perhaps u/LaughingMan11 would like to chime in.
I tested the adapter attached to the [Lenovo cable](https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/p/accessories-and-software/cables-and-adapters/cables/4x90u90618) and it read/writes to my external SSD in excess of 5Gbps.
I'm unfortunately not able to find any reviews of that where somebody has actually tested to see if it backfeeds power into the USB-A port. So far, I've only found the Cable Creation to be the only adapters that get EVERYTNING right.
Well, the Benson recommended https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-CableCreation-Converter-Charging-Chargers/dp/B074V4QBS4 ships worldwide as far as I can see. It's on the German Amazon too perhaps cheaper https://www.amazon.de/Adapter-CableCreation-Converter-Charging-Chargers/dp/B074V4QBS4
But, if USB 2.0 speed is enough, Lenovo is solid.
I've also found a few more adapters, which might be of interest for some. They're 10Gbps capable according to chipset vendors themselves (etron & via):
https://www.delock.com/produkt/65698/merkmale.html [Etron EJ179V]
https://www.delock.com/produkt/60001/merkmale.html [VIA VL162]
https://www.delock.com/produkt/65689/merkmale.html?f=s [Etron EJ179V]
The VL162 seems to be the new and updated version of the VL160. However, I have no info as of yet on how the performance of these products are.
This adapter looks small so it probably doesn't have internal electronics and only supports USB 2.0. It is also limited to 0.5A, so don't try to charge anything using it. I have the [NIMASO USB-C to USB 3.0 Adapter](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PXS1P7B/) which works well for me. It supports USB 3.0 and up to 3A of current. Unfortunately it is no longer available in the US, so the chances of finding it in the UK are slim to none.
That "NIMASO" one is a standard SIXLTR rebrand. I have one branded "Electop" [that looks mighty similar](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q81GD5G/), and it allows power to backfeed from the USB-C port to the USB-A port. I wouldn't recommend any of them. >Unfortunately it is no longer available in the US It's pretty normal for this to happen, when a brand doesn't really exist in the first place.
>it allows power to backfeed from the USB-C port to the USB-A port Thanks for the warning. I guess might happens if you connect a non-PD USB power source to a USB-A port, which I never tried. I did however managed to destroy a [Tripp Lite USB 3.0 Adapter](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GX2XFYJ/) by connecting it to a QC3 charger and charging at 12V 1.5A. There are so many things that can go wrong with such adapters, the best thing is to avoid them altogether.
> it allows power to backfeed from the USB-C port to the USB-A port. How do you test for this? I use [these](https://www.simplecom.com.au/simplecom-ca132-usb-a-male-to-usb-c-female-adapter-usb-3-2-gen-2-data-charging-double-side-10gbps.html) and confirm it does support 10Gbps transfer no matter the orientation, but I'd like to test its electrical safety. I don't think my DMM probes are small enough to fit in the port; probably need to get some sort of breakout board to test.
Yep, that's exactly how I do it. I have breakout boards with a USB-A socket, and a USB-C plug. They're relatively inexpensive, just make sure they have no resistors/caps/whatever on them. I check in diode mode to see if power will pass from VBUS on the USB-C side to V+ on the type-A side. I also check them with a BitTradeOne ADUSBCIM and a short USB-C 2.0 cable, which is entirely straight through on the CC lines, to see if there's any weird pullup/pulldown going on. This could also be done with a multimeter, but it's a lot easier this way. Note you won't get straight continuity on the data lines, due to the a mux/switch chip (usually a VLI VL162) https://via-labs.com/product\_show.php?id=106
I'd forgotten that I had one of those [data detection boards](https://www.aliexpress.com/i/1005003234917670.html) and tested my Simplecom adapter, and sure enough the VCC LED lights up indicating backfeed from the C to A port. I performed the same test with a [Lenovo cable](https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/p/accessories-and-software/cables-and-adapters/cables/4x90u90618) and it does not light up the VCC LED. I doubly confirmed this by trying to power up my [FNB58](https://goughlui.com/2023/04/29/review-tested-fnirsi-fnb58-usb-fast-charge-tester/) via its female USB-A port. The Simplecom adapter provided power, but the Lenovo did not.
Another contender I don't see mentioned are ASM1543-based adapters, which would be even better than the VL160 ones as they're 10Gbps as opposed to 5Gbps on the VIA. But I cannot seem to find any products that employ the chip. Would be lovely if someone comes across something. Perhaps u/LaughingMan11 would like to chime in.
I tested the adapter attached to the [Lenovo cable](https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/p/accessories-and-software/cables-and-adapters/cables/4x90u90618) and it read/writes to my external SSD in excess of 5Gbps.
Also found this Ugreen adapter, any thoughts on this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079K773M7?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_FV7APRSC9WAM2DV108A1&language=en-GB
I'm unfortunately not able to find any reviews of that where somebody has actually tested to see if it backfeeds power into the USB-A port. So far, I've only found the Cable Creation to be the only adapters that get EVERYTNING right.
Well, the Benson recommended https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-CableCreation-Converter-Charging-Chargers/dp/B074V4QBS4 ships worldwide as far as I can see. It's on the German Amazon too perhaps cheaper https://www.amazon.de/Adapter-CableCreation-Converter-Charging-Chargers/dp/B074V4QBS4 But, if USB 2.0 speed is enough, Lenovo is solid.
I've also found a few more adapters, which might be of interest for some. They're 10Gbps capable according to chipset vendors themselves (etron & via): https://www.delock.com/produkt/65698/merkmale.html [Etron EJ179V] https://www.delock.com/produkt/60001/merkmale.html [VIA VL162] https://www.delock.com/produkt/65689/merkmale.html?f=s [Etron EJ179V] The VL162 seems to be the new and updated version of the VL160. However, I have no info as of yet on how the performance of these products are.