But if you’re a hobbyist, then you don’t really want to be dropping over $100 on an all-singing, all-dancing USB power meter that does it all. For most folks, a power meter that shows the basics is all that’s needed. Also: This powerful, pocket-sized gadget is perfect for all your USB troubleshooting needs And this is what the ChargerLAB Power-Z AK001 offers.
ChargerLAB Power-Z AK001 tech specs
Length: 1.5 m/5 ft.Connectors: USB-C.Power rating: up to 240W.E-Marker chip: Yes.Display: 0.96 inch/2.4 cm color display.Information: Voltage, current, power, temperature, current direction, energy, timer, and more.Accuracy: 0.002V, 0.002A.
Also: Repairing electronics with the wrong tools can be dangerous. How to stay safe I have a lot of different USB power meters that are jam-packed with features, but the one thing that I love about the Power-Z AK001 is the simplicity. You plug it in, the display lights up, and you get all the vital statistics about the power going across the cable. There’s even a handy arrow on the display that shows the direction in which the power is flowing. This is a great touch because it has caught me out using power meters where I’ve become confused as to what’s charging what – especially where power banks are concerned. I also like the simplicity of the inputs. There’s a single button on the back of the display that controls both switching screens (a single press cycles through the power meter screen, protocol detection, a blank screen, and title screen) and rotating the display (this is done by pressing the button for three seconds). I’ve tested the accuracy of the power meter against a calibrated meter, and it easily achieves the rated accuracy – more than accurate enough for these types of measurements. Also: The perfect $16 USB-C tester for your repair kit (and how to use it) It’s hard to find fault with the ChargerLAB Power-Z AK001. For $30, it’s an amazingly cheap and versatile power meter that doubles day-to-day as a 240W USB-C cable. If you want a USB-C power meter with more functionality, I recommend the ChargerLAB Power-Z KM003C. It will tell you everything you need to know about what’s happening over a USB-C cable.
