One part that I find myself using somewhat regularly in microcontroller-based experiments is the “USB power bank” that provides USB-standard 5-V DC output and offers some basic protection features.

We’ve all found ourselves swimming amongst too many similar-looking USB cables over the years. Some have all the conductors and functionality, some are weird power-only oddballs, and some charge our ...

USB ports have quietly turned into the default power outlet for phones, laptops, headphones, and even monitors, but the wattage behind that familiar rectangle is far from uniform. Depending on the ...