What are these cord things for?

[MACDRIVE]

You've seen them, they're on USB cables. What are they for and are they necessary?

 

[dllavaneras]

I think they're buffers of some sort.

But I could be waaay off

 

[todd2000]

Those would be Ferrite Cores, they help reduce electrical interference, and are found on many cables other then USB.

 

[dllavaneras]

If they help reduce electrical interference, why aren't they covering the whole length of the cable?

 

[jsw]

If they help reduce electrical interference, why aren't they covering the whole length of the cable?

For the same reason that you don't need a water filter along the whole length of the pipes in your house.

It does the job fine in just one location along the (relatively short) line.

 

[MACDRIVE]

Well, the reason why I ask is because some of the USB cords on the market don't have them. So if all of you had a choice between having one on your cord and not having one, which would you choose?

 

[jsw]

Well, the reason why I ask is because some of the USB cords on the market don't have them. So if all of you had a choice between having one on your cord and not having one, which would you choose?

I'd choose one with the filter. It can't hurt and might help. But I don't think it really matters in most cases.

 

[dllavaneras]

For the same reason that you don't need a water filter along the whole length of the pipes in your house.

Just goes to show you that I made the right choice in not studying anything related to electricity

I'd get cables with them just in case. You can never be too careful...

 

[eluk]

I'd get cables with them just in case. You can never be too careful...

That is the better idea, although if you get interference from a cable without them it is simple to add a ferrite ring.