Page 1
USB-BUg
TM
USER MANUAL
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
CONNECTIONS
USB Plug (1) USB-A male plug
USB Port (2) USB-A ports (1 with data and power pass-through;
the other only power pass-through)
PARAMETERS
Operating Voltage 3.2VDC - 30VDC
Over-voltage Indicator greater than or equal to 5.6VDC
Under-voltage Ind. less than or equal to 4.4VDC
Current 0 - 3A
Over-current indicator greater than or equal to 3A
Working Current less than 20mA
Measurement Accuracy 1%
Measurement Rate 2 readings/second
Size
Main Body 69mm x 26mm x 120mm
USB Cable Length ~120mm
Working Temperature -10 degrees to 65 degrees Celcius
Thank you for purchasing the Triplett USB-Bug™. Please read the manual
carefully before using the product.
To assure safe use of this product, please read the section on Safety careful-
ly, and observe any Cautions or Warnings posted there and throughout this
manual. Be sure to keep this manual for future reference.
SAFETY INFORMATION
• Comply with all local electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility
rules and regulations when using this device.
• Do not expose the product to rain, liquids, excessive moisture, or direct
sunlight as product damage may occur.
• Do not expose or use the product in dusty or high-particulate environments.
• Avoid dropping the product or subjecting it to physical shock or high
vibrations.
• Do not use the product in an environment containing flammable gases.
• Do not attempt to disassemble the product. There are no user service-
able parts inside and product damage can occur. Contact Triplett cus-
tomer support if the unit does not function properly.
• Do not use the product in environments with strong electromagnetic fields.
• Do not handle or operate the product with wet hands.
• Do not use strong detergents or solvents to clean the product. Wipe off
dirt with a soft dry cloth, or a soft cloth slightly moistened with water or
mild cleaner.
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 General Use
The USB-Bug is designed to test the power, voltage, and current from the
USB-A port of Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) (i.e., where the power is
coming from). It does this by connecting the USB-Bug inline between the PSE
and the Powered Device (PD) (i.e., the device you are trying to charge). The
USB-Bug can also act as a splitter, allowing two separate devices/PDs to
charge from one PSE port.
The USB-Bug has two out-ports; one port allows data to pass through, the
other port does not allow data to pass through. Both ports utilize an Intelligent
Charging function that allows the PD to charge at the maximum safest current
for that device.
Some examples of Power Sourcing Equipment include USB wall jacks
(below, top right), USB ports on a computer or laptop (below, bottom left), or a
portable charger (below, bottom right).
Some examples of Powered Devices that may connect
to a USB port to charge and/or communicate include
tablets, smartphones, computer mouse, computer
headsets, and so forth.
PSE
PD
1.2 Additional Features
The USB-Bug is also able to test Capacity, and has warnings built in to
indicate when it detects an over-voltage problem, under-voltage problem, or
over-current problem.
2. DEVICE OVERVIEW
2.1 Device Diagram
6
5
1
2
4
3
Unmasked Port - Provides Power and Data pass-through
1
Masked Port - Provides Power but will not allow Data to pass
2
through.
USB-A plug - This plugs into the USB-A port of the PSE.
3
A / W / mAh Lower Display Readout - This will show Amps, Watts, or
4
Milliamp hours, depending on which Mode you have chosen to
display.
V / Ah Upper Display Readout - This will show Voltage or Amp Hours,
5
depending on which Mode you have chosen to display.
Selector Button (on top) - Press this button to change what
6
information displays. (See details on reverse.)
P/N UM-USB-Bug 8/2018
USB-Bug_User_Manual.indd 1 6/5/2018 9:25:56 AM
Page 2
2.2 Display Modes
When the Tester is first connected to a PSE, it will automatically display Mode
1. Press the button on the top of the Tester to cycle through to the Display
Mode you want to view. For those Modes that cycle through readings, the
display will rotate every 4 seconds.
The digital display is two separate colors—the top row displays in red, while
the bottom row displays in blue. The only reason for this is ease of distinguish-
ing between the two rows; the colors themselves are not indicative of anything
during testing.
MODE 1
(Default)
Voltage, Current
MODE 2: C
Capacity
MODE 3: -P-
Power
MODE 4: CVA
Voltage, Current, then Capacity
(cycles readings)
MODE 5: PVA
Voltage, Current, then Power
(cycles readings)
MODE 6: CP
Capacity then Power
(cycles readings)
MODE 7: CPVA
Voltage, Current, then
Capacity, then Power
(cycles readings)
Voltage / “C” Ah .
Current / Capacity mAh
Voltage / “C” Ah / “-P-”
Current / mAh / Watts
Voltage
Current
Amp hours
Milliamp hours
-P-
Watts (note decimal)
Voltage / “-P-”
Current / Watts
“C” Ah / “-P-”
mAh / Watts
ABOUT TRIPLETT
Triplett Test Equipment and Tools has been desiging specialized test equip-
ment for over 100 years.
Triplett was acquired by Jewell Instruments in 2007. Jewell Instruments is
a world leader in the manufacturing and distribution of advanced sensors,
controls, panel meters, and avionics. Jewell provides custom solutions
for the aerospace, medical, industrial, marine, telecommunications, and
railroad industries.
Jewell’s experienced engineering team works with customers and end-
users to develop top-of-the-line products that meet or exceed all customer
requirements.
The company has two manufacturing facilities—one in Manchester, New
Hampshire, and the other in Barbados, West Indies. Both facilities maintain
the most stringent manufacturing requirements. The Barbados facility also
provides the cost-competitive advantage of offshore manufacturing
Jewell is committed to continuing the legacy started by Ray L. Triplett,
producing only the highest quality, most technologically advanced, rugged,
and reliable test equipment products in the marketplace.
3. HOW TO USE YOUR USB-BUG
3.1 Types of Measurements & Warning Indicators
The USB-Bug is designed to display the current, voltage, power, or capacity
being output from the PSE’s USB-A port.
3.1.1 Current
The USB-Bug will test current from 0 to 3 Amps. If the current is over 3 Amps,
the USB-Bug will flash the decimal point quickly.
The USB-Bug uses <20 mA to power itself.
3.1.2 Voltage
The USB-Bug will test voltage from 3.2 VDC to 30 VDC. If the voltage is greater
than or equal to 5.6 VDC, the decimal point indicator on the voltage measure-
ment will flash quickly. If the voltage is less than 4.4 VDC, the decimal point
indicator on the voltage measurement will flash slowly.
3.1.3 Power
The USB-Bug will test power from 0 to 99.9W.
3.1.4 Capacity
The USB-Bug will display the Amp hours (Ah) and milliamp hours (mAh) that
have passed through the Tester. This displays as a cumulative number, and is
useful when determining how quickly/effectively a portable battery charger is
working.
After the USB-Bug is disconnected from the PSE, the USB-Bug will automat-
ically reset the Capacity reading to zero and start a new reading the next
time you plug it into a PSE. You can also long-press
the button to reset the Capacity reading to zero and
start a new reading.
Note that the Capacity readout is split between the top
row and the bottom row, with the whole numbers show-
ing on the top row, and the mAh showing on the bottom
row. You will note there is a decimal point at the right
on the top row, as well as the printout on the USB-Bug
itself. (See image at right.)
3.2 Additional Features
The USB- Bug can be used for other things, including security while charging
your tablet or phone, or faster charging.
3.2.1 Intelligent Charging
The USB-Bug has a built-in Smart Chip that allows it to determine the safest
maximum current your PD can accept. That means the USB-Bug can charge
your phone or tablet up to 50% faster than aftermarket/generic chargers.
Note—When plugged into a USB 2.0 port, the current being provided by that
PSE is likely only 0.5A (unless it is specifically designed to be higher). Thus, if
you use the USB-Bug to charge two devices at the same time, the current will
be split to the receiving devices, and you may see a “trickle” charge (i.e., 0.25A
charging each device) that may not be optimal.
3.2.2 Data Masking
There are two USB out ports on the USB-Bug. The top port, called the Un-
masked Port (which is labeled as #1 on the diagram on obverse), allows data
to transfer while charging. The bottom port, called the Masked Port (which is
labeled as #2 on the diagram on obverse), blocks any data from being trans-
ferred. You can use the Masked Port to charge your phone or tablet without
having to worry about anyone accessing your data.
USB-Bug_User_Manual.indd 2 6/5/2018 9:26:01 AM
Loading...