Anyone knows how to avoid letting those connector heads of USB cables to get..."oxidized?"

Not sure what's the term for it but it happens to metal parts of cables over time. When they are new, they are smooth and shiny but after a while or longer they become....."rough."

I have a couple of portable drives at work, which happen to have the USB cable heads that are like that. People drag them on the floor when moving around and stuff and I really can't imagine plugging those into my new computer...

Anyone understands what I am talking about and know if there is any way to prevent this? I requested new cables from IT department but I am afraid that this would be happening again.

 

I still have a dirt-old 128MB flashdrive (back when they were ~$20) and the head on it feels just the same as it felt years and years ago. Even have an old 1.44MB floppy disc lying around and the metal shield is still...metal.

You don't have to worry about oxidization or any sort of issues like that with computer accessories.

 

Bear in mind that the outside sleeve of a USB cable doesn't have anything to do with the electrical connection that's made. The actual connectors are the little metal strips in the white plastic in this photo:



You can scratch up and corrode that rectangular sleeve from here until next Tuesday, but as long as the pins inside can still make a connection, you've got nothing to worry about.

 

You have absolutely nothing to worry about, but i'm sure there are cables with gold plated connectors available out there if it bothers you.

Most gaming mice use gold plated connectors for example, not because it does a difference, it's mostly "bling", but those won't get oxidized. Just the act of plugging and unplugging the cable should strip any even remote amount of oxidizing that might occur. Maybe if you leave the cable in a very humid place for a few decades it will be a problem, but otherwise,it won't be. Now tht i think about it, maybe even the standard usb cables have some sort of metal coating to prevent that.

 

Wow, thank you, guys! Seems I have been worried too much, haha. Every time, I would use a duster or something to blow away hair or dust first before I plug them into my computer.

Well, I am less worried now. But also, I am using my new laptop, so....

Thanks again!

 

what you want is something like this:
Silicone USB Plug Cover (SM-4007) - China Usb Plug,Usb Cover,Silicone Plug in Rubber Seal

I use it a lot to protect connectors. very useful and cheap. works great.

 

Cool, thanks a lot, __-_-_-__! Didn't know such thing existed!!

 

you can even get waterproof usb connector protectors. those are more expensive but I love it. I use it in exteriors.

 

I just checked on eBay and found some nice options. Since my local stores don't carry them so I willing be ordering online.

Although my work place is providing new cables, they will soon to be "beaten up" again by mean and careless coworker, haha.

Thanks again, I will definitely get some of those caps. That's really a great solution!

 

Yes, and you used the correct term. Though some may prefer the more colloquial "rust", or "corrosion" instead.

As mentioned above, the best way to avoid this is to keep it away from air and moisture. That is, in a sealed environment. If that's a hassle, simply buy more expensive drives/cables. They have coating or are made of materials that have resistance to corrosion. One of their not easily noticed advantages.

 

Thanks for confirming with me, Krane! Yes, just have some cables at home replaced and am waiting for the USB caps to arrive so I can keep them "clean." I ordered some extra ones so I can also use at work. Thanks again!

 

The pins inside are what matter. If the cables you're using are according to the USB spec (which they should be, and most are), then the pins will be gold plated and won't corrode. They can get dirty and full of fluff, but you can simply clean that off.

As said before, the shield makes next to no difference, which is why I never accept gold plating to be a valid selling point with USB cables (monster would beg to differ, with their gold plated optical cables and all).

 

gold plated is not a miracle. specially in connectors that are often used. with time the surface get scratches and eventually will corrode.
protecting the connector from the enviremont will ensure a longer lifetime of the material. that's why high-end electrical connetors are always protected.

 

I think really the ultimate solution for protecting the connectors besides having those caps would be to keep them plugged all the time. I noticed the connectors that are plugged all the time, such as keyboard or mouses', are perfectly shiny like new. But the outer part that exposed in the air still can't avoid getting corroded....