TUF is the OE Electrics brand name for its Twin USB Fast Charger sockets that can be fitted in a wide range of power modules. They use Intelligent Device Recognition to ensure that the mobile device will recognise it as a fast charger.

A typical PC/laptop USB Port can provide up to 500mA of output current (700mA for USB3.0 ports), which can be used to power keyboards, mice or charge mobile devices Fast charging is where the charging current that can be supplied to a mobile device from a dedicated USB charger is at least 1A.

A TUF has two USB outlets, so the combined maximum power that can be output at one time, if two devices are connected, is overload protected to 5A (240V AC supply).

There are different protocols between brands of device/charger to establish a fast charging link. Those chargers are ones where each port is only ‘tuned’ to one protocol, allowing fast charging for that brand in that port. What it means is that if you plug the wrong device in the wrong port you may get a trickle charge at best, or potentially no charge at all, but you may not realise until you come back to find your mobile device hasn’t been charging. TUF^5Ahas been designed so that both ports can accept and fast charge any device, through the use of its Intelligent Device Recognition circuitry.

YES. All our TUF versions have been designed with the latest Intelligent Device Recognition circuitry, ensuring that they will “optimise” the charging current for your phone or tablet, whether it be an Apple Android, Windows or Blackberry device. It may even charge some phones noticeably faster than the original manufacturer’s charger!

By implementing the Apple 2.4A charging protocol TUF will fast charge both Apple iPhones and iPads and our test show that it will in fact charge the latest iPhone 8 over 50% faster than the supplied 1A Apple charger.

TUF is now available as a new A+C version with one USB type A connector and one Type C connector. Our 5A TUF A+C will output up to 3A at 5V to compatible USB type C devices whilst still providing fast charging for older Type A devices.

The “R in TUF-R stands for the latest replaceable versions of our TUF charger. This uniquely allows a damaged TUF to be replaced on site without even having to disconnect the AC supply.  It also allows a Type A TUF to be easily upgraded to our latest TUF A+C

Any charger that can provide over 500mA can legitimately be considered a “faster” charger – some chargers charge at 700mA per port and many can charge at “up to” 1A per port. Indeed, some manufacturers say they can “fast charge mobile phones as fast as branded chargers”, but mobile phones often only draw 1A, making that a legitimate statement for a 1A per port charger. However, tablets are increasingly capable of drawing 2A, sometimes even more, so a 1A per port “fast charger”, would actually be a “slow charger” of tablets. And remember, “up to 1A” doesn’t always mean the charger will provide 1A, even if the mobile phone is capable of accepting a fast 1A charge. The mobile phone still has to recognise the charger before it will draw the higher current. Only with Intelligent Device Recognition in the charger, will the appropriate signals be output by the charger to indicate to the mobile phone that it can draw a higher current. TUF’s Intelligent Device Recognition allows it to detect any type of device and optimise its outputs, thereby fast charging for all device types.

NO. All our TUF versions are designed to provide USB charging power only and are connected to a mains 110V to 240V AC supply. When part of an OE Electrics power module, no separate power supply is required for TUF, it is simply fed internally from the same power feed as the AC sockets.

12 months from date of purchase

Our testing has indicated at least 5 years with normal office or domestic use. We have even upgraded the USB outlet connectors to 5,000 insertion ‘ruggedized’ type for longevity, given the more frequent plugging and unplugging associated with charging use. Most USB chargers will only have standard 1,500 insertion type USB connectors which are also more susceptible to user damage.

All TUF versions have self-regulating overload protection, to prevent overheating, and auto reset short circuit protection, plus fuse protection on the AC input.

Our latest TUF 5V 5A PCB has been designed with the lowest standby current we have encountered on the market. In standby it uses less than 0.05W, in full compliance with Energy star 4 Star Devices (0.03-0.15W no load power consumption) and easily meets EPA_2.0 for efficiency while operating. The blue power on indicator light visible in the TUF^5AUSB connectors have been designed to be part of the standby current circuit and do not consume any additional power.

All our TUF’s have been safety tested by an independent international test laboratory to International standards such as Certified to IEC 60950-1, UL 60950-1, and EN61204-3/CISPR22

YES. All out TUF versions have been independently tested to ensure compliance with the appropriate European and FCC standards.

Despite everything we do with TUF to optimise charging rates, there is still one component we cannot control – the USB cable. We have found, through testing, that significantly different charge rates result from using branded and cheaper unbranded cables. We suggest you always use the branded USB lead that came with your mobile device.

Cheap copy chargers have been the cause of a number of injuries and deaths by electrocutions reported in the media. These chargers may look like branded chargers, be marked with appropriate safety approvals and have the branded logo printed on them – however internally they are generally poorly manufactured with inferior parts, inadequate separation between high and low voltage and no overload protection. Always buy chargers via reputable channels and ask to see the relevant UL/IEC 60950 or IEC61558 safety certifications. If you have any doubt in the seller, then don’t buy the charger – it could damage your phone or at worst be a life threatening hazard. Saving a few pounds on a cheap charger is folly! See our appraisal of Dangerous Cheap Chargers

TUF can charge far faster than any wireless charger, we have results showing it to be easily more than 5 times faster. TUF is always compatible, all you need is the cable that came with the device, whereas there are various wireless charging systems, each requiring different built-in or add-on components, leaving you unable to charge if your phone and wireless charger are incompatible. But more importantly, you can comfortably use your device while it is charging with a cable! Wireless charging is more suited to situations where the device being charged is intermittently used and static for long periods of time (e.g.: game controllers, TV remote controls, radio controlled cars or cameras, etc.). Wireless charging is not nearly as efficient as TUF with considerable power wasted as heat which can shorten battery life as well as making phones uncomfortably warm to hold.

Please call our office for any unanswered questions, or click here to email us.