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USB Cable Repair

Archived Guide
This guide is retained solely for historical purposes. Use the updated version of the guide to perform your repair.

What you need

  1. USB Cable Repair, USB Cable Repair: step 1, image 1 of 3 USB Cable Repair, USB Cable Repair: step 1, image 2 of 3 USB Cable Repair, USB Cable Repair: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the broken portion of the USB cable with the wire cutters.

    • You should now have two pieces of the cable left. If you had to remove the whole USB plug, you'll need a replacement plug.

  2. USB Cable Repair: step 2, image 1 of 3 USB Cable Repair: step 2, image 2 of 3 USB Cable Repair: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Cut the outer cable covering with wire cutters or scissors of both cables and be careful not to cut the wires themselves.

    • Pull off the piece of cover that you've separated from the rest. You should be left with four exposed individual wires.

    • There should be four wires, and occasionally a piece of string too. If there are fewer wires, then you've clipped one off, and you need to start over.

    • If there are more than 4 wires, you probably have a USB 3.0 cable. In this case, make sure that whatever wires you'll be reconnecting are both USB 3.0.

  3. USB Cable Repair: step 3, image 1 of 2 USB Cable Repair: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Strip all the wires out from both cables using a wire stripper. You'll need about three quarters of an inch of exposed copper wire.

    • If you don't have a wire stripper, you can strip the wires the same way as you exposed these wires. Gently cut the outer insulation, then pull off the insulation.

    • When stripping wires, do not cut or damage the copper wires. If you do damage the wire, cut off the damaged portion and try again.

  4. USB Cable Repair: step 4, image 1 of 2 USB Cable Repair: step 4, image 2 of 2
  5. USB Cable Repair: step 5, image 1 of 3 USB Cable Repair: step 5, image 2 of 3 USB Cable Repair: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Wrap each wire in electrical tape and make sure that there is no exposed copper showing.

  6. USB Cable Repair: step 6, image 1 of 2 USB Cable Repair: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Wrap all the wires and both cables together in electrical tape to connect everything back into one cable and so it lasts longer.

David

Member since: 01/16/13

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Cal Poly, Team 18-36, Regan Winter 2013 Member of Cal Poly, Team 18-36, Regan Winter 2013

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