ChargerLAB POWER-Z KM003C/KM002C USB Tester User Manual

1. Version History

This section details software and firmware updates for the POWER-Z testers.

• 03/28/2023
  • 2.2.4 (PC Software): Fixed temperature parsing error in UFCS protocol analyzer; fixed program crash when PD protocol analyzer curve data exceeds 10000 points; fixed extreme value error in data recorder.
• 02/08/2023
  • 1.7.1 (Tester): Added UFCS protocol analyzer (requires PC software V2.2+); added SVOOC (PD) 160/240W protocol trigger; fixed display error for UFCS/VFCP/SVOOC(PD) protocols; fixed known bugs.
  • 2.2.1 (PC Software): Integrated Windows 7 support, discontinuing separate releases; added UFCS protocol analyzer; record curve starts at 0 instead of system time; added path selection for saving and pause button for data recording; fixed issues with exported .db files under Chinese paths, garbled ElapsedTime, incomplete PD protocol decoding (EPRCapabilities, protocol image), and data recording after sleep.
• 11/02/2022
  • 1.6.4 (Tester): Added Xiaomi 210W MIPPS protocol; fixed infinite loop in automatic protocol.
• 09/26/2022
  • 1.5.0 (Tester): Optimized protocol trigger; added new tab for UFCS protocol trigger; set default theme color to blue; set a lighter dashboard color.
• 08/07/2022
  • 1.4.6 (Tester): Fixed known bugs.
• 08/02/2022
  • 1.4.5 (Tester): Fixed EPR (50V 5A) cable simulation issue with v1.4.4.
• 07/26/2022
  • 1.4.4 (Tester): Fixed protocol detection problem; fixed character errors in E-Marker test.
  • 2.1.1 (PC Software): Fixed firmware update notification error; fixed crash caused by variable data packet in PD protocol analyzer.
• 07/10/2022
  • 1.4.0 (Tester): Fixed known bugs; KM002C now supports up to 10A (Lite version excluded).
  • 2.1.0 (PC Software): Added temperature monitoring and curve saving (1/10/50 SPS); current range auto-adjustment; added transparency and width settings for curves; added pop-up notification for missing Windows 7 driver; fixed CSV import/export errors, window minimization errors, and power display issue over curves.
• 06/11/2022
  • 1.3.6 (Tester): Added new category for PD protocol detection, highlighting Xiaomi private protocol and PD3.1 (>20V); fixed crash during PD protocol monitoring; fixed dashboard power error; fixed E-marker info error for Thunderbolt 3 cable.
• 05/25/2022
  • 1.3.5 (Tester): Fixed duplicate PPS, QC4 in auto protocol detection; fixed crash issue.
• 05/19/2022
  • 2.0.8 (PC Software): Optimized PD protocol analyzer performance; added power curve for PD protocol analyzer; fixed known issues with PD protocol analyzer.
• 04/24/2022
  • 1.3.1 (Tester): Optimized PD protocol analyzer performance.
  • 2.0.6 (PC Software): Fixed timeline display issue (2074) with 1KSPS recording; fixed error in actual recorded SPS (20SPS instead of 50SPS); fixed auto-stop error; fixed issue where data recorder and protocol analyzer could not work simultaneously; optimized PD protocol analyzer performance; enabled saving of data recorder axis and color.
• 04/18/2022
  • 1.2.9 (Tester): Fixed bugs; optimized functions; optimized UFCS protocol identification.
• 03/30/2022
  • 1.2.8 (Tester): Fixed issues testing FCP and AFC protocols; fixed no English text issue on right button startup; changed dashboard protocol to display maximum voltage in real-time; added English QR code.
• 03/09/2022
  • 2.0.5 (PC Software): Firmware update display in English setting; power export in CSV file; PD protocol analyzer data auto-loading via scroll wheel.
  • 1.2.6 (Tester): Rewrote E-Marker information reading code for TBT3/4 and passive/active cables; fixed chargers unable to test AFC protocol.
• 03/03/2022
  • 2.0.4 (PC Software): Added and saved English language option.
  • 1.2.4 (Tester): Fixed charging issue with Xiaomi mobile phones; fixed garbled protocol characters; added PD protocol analyzer; added automatic UFCS protocol detection.
• 02/28/2022
  • 2.0.3 (PC Software): Added PD protocol analyzer; enabled switching between Chinese and English.
• 02/09/2022
  • 2.0.2 (PC Software): Improved offline data reading; added SQLite file export/import for data management; fixed known bugs.

Purchase Links: Amazon (US), Taobao. Download PC Software (KM002C/KM003C) from the provided link.

2. Features

(1) Equipped Ports

• A USB-C Female (Receptacle) that supports USB 4.
• A USB-C Male (Plug) that supports USB 4.
• A HID port (USB-C) for connecting to PC & power supply.

(2) Voltage & Current Measurement

• Built-in 20-bit ADC (high-precision measurement IC).
• Data Collection Speed: Up to 1,000 times per second.
• Programmable Collection Speed: 1/10/50/100 times per second.
• Current Sampling Resistor: 2W/20PPM.
• Wide voltage range: 0-50V.
• High current range: 0-6A.

(3) Data Storage

• 4MB Flash memory.
• Records up to 40 pieces of data (Capacity / Energy).
• Programmable self-start and self-stop recording.
• Programmable recording time.

(4) Trigger Fast Charging Protocols

• Supports PD2.0 / PD3.0 / PD3.1 / PPS / QC4+ / QC5, etc.
• Supports Qualcomm QC2.0/QC3.0/QC3+, etc.
• Supports private protocol triggers such as FCP / SCP / AFC / VIFS, etc.
• Supports BC1.2, Apple 2.4, Samsung fast charging protocols.
• Supports Universal Fast Charging Specification (UFCS).
• Supports protocol analysis of PD / UFCS.
• Supports SOP/SOP'/SOP" data pack.
• Reads the electronic label (E-Marker) of USB-C cable.
• Reads the info of Apple PD charger.
• Automatically tests the protocols of the charger.

(5) HID Interface

• Composite USB port, driver-free.
• Provides open API (Application Programming Interface) for development.

(6) PC Software

• Brand-new UI.
• Provides Window / Mac OS platform (Mac OS is under development).
• Portable application for ease of use.
• Multiple testers can be connected to a single computer simultaneously.
• Real-time curves display.
• Programmable data collection up to a thousand times per second.
• Export and import curve data.
• Export 4K curve images.
• Stores up to 10 million pieces of data.
• Records power, capacity, energy, temperature curves.
• Triggers different fast charging protocols.
• Supports PD protocol analyzer (up to 10,000 pieces of data).
• Allows modification of tester parameters.
• Reads stored curve data.
• Supports firmware upgrade.
• Supports English/Chinese languages.

(7) Expansion Modules

• Reads the info of USB-C eMarker.
• Reads the info of Apple charger.
• Internal resistance test of cable (In development).
• Reads information of MFI cable (In development).

3. Product Specifications

⚠Warning:

• Please do not connect more than 50V power supply into the USB tester.
• ¹Technically supported without enough experiments, please do not connect it to a high-voltage pin.
• Please do not connect to USB power supply devices when triggering the fast charging protocol. The applied high voltage may burn your device or even catch fire.
• Please send it back to where you purchased it or the professional company if there's any hardware issue.

⚠Attention:

• Do not take apart the USB tester by yourself, otherwise the warranty will be invalid.
• The USB tester has no reverse voltage protection. Please do not exchange the positive and negative and connect to the tester, otherwise it will cause permanent damage.

4. Tester Introduction

Diagram showing the POWER-Z tester with numbered ports:

• 1 USB-C Male: Standard USB-C Male (Plug) that supports USB4 Gen3 (Bidirectional).
• 2 USB-C Female: Standard USB-C Female (Receptacle) that supports USB4 Gen3 (Bidirectional).
• 3 HID: Used to connect to PC & Power Supply; it is driver-free. PC software supports Window / Mac OS (In development) for upgrading firmware, drawing high-precision curves, loading offline curve files, PD protocol analysis, and triggering fast charging protocols.
• 4, 5, 6, 7: These likely represent other ports or indicators on the device, as shown in the diagram.

Button Functions:

• Back (←): Rotates the display direction in the main menu.
• Back: (Second mention)
• Confirm (5): Long press to Enter Settings; Short press to Confirm.
• Left (6): Switches between four different interfaces in the main menu; Modifies parameter values in settings.
• Right (7): Switches between four different interfaces in the main menu; Modifies parameter values in settings. Long press "Right" on startup when HID is disconnected to power (flip the USB-C connector if it doesn't work). Releasing CC pull-down resistor shuts down after 5 seconds. Keeping CC pull-down resistor enters the charging protocol.

⚠Attention: Please use this function under the guidance of professionals, otherwise the short circuit caused by the CC1 and VBUS of the cable may damage the tester.

5. Main Menu

The main menu provides access to various functions:

1. Data Storage

Used to record electricity from the power supply into the device, functioning as a DC meter. Units are mAh and mWh.

Keyword Description:

• Capacity (mAh): Represents current (mA) over one hour. E.g., 1000mA for one hour equals 1000mAh (1Ah).
• Energy (mWh): Represents power (mW = V * mA) expended over one hour. E.g., 1000mA load at 5V for one hour equals 5000mWh (5Wh).
• Curve Storage: Records test period curve data, requiring import into computer software for analysis.
• Max Storage: Up to 40 different groups of data can be stored, deleted, and switched.

Use Cases:

• Testing the actual capacity of power banks.
• Testing the actual capacity of phones and estimating battery health.
• Estimating the charging efficiency of wireless chargers.

How to Use:

• Create a new record by pressing the "confirm" button and selecting "ok".
• Go to "setting" (long press "confirm") to modify the save interval.

Auto start and stop by setting trigger conditions:

• Auto start: Setting > Storage > Start rule > Set current (Manual means no rules).
• Auto stop: Setting > Storage > End rule > Set current (Manual means no rules).

Save interval can be set from 1 to 120 seconds; each record is limited to 10,000 pieces. Connecting to PC software allows reading records.

Screenshots show the "Storage", "Save interval", "Start rule", and "End rule" settings, as well as the "Offline Data" view on PC software.

2. Dash Board

Displays real-time voltage, current, and wattage. Press the "confirm" button to adjust speed/sampling rate (4/15/60/1k Hz).

Color Coding:

• Green block represents voltage (VBUS).
• Purple block represents current (IBUS).
• Orange block represents power (PWR).
• Black block represents the possible fast charging protocol (DP, DM, CC1, CC2 on the right). Protocol accuracy may not be 100%.

Relationship Between Voltage and Protocol Based on D+/D-

3. Real-time Curve

Allows observation of real-time data curves. Press the "Confirm" button to switch between VBUS/IBUS, D+/D-, CC1/CC2 views.

Screenshots show examples of real-time curves for VBUS/IBUS, D+/D-, and CC1/CC2.

4. Application

(1) Charging protocol

Preparations:

• Connect the tester to a sustainable power supply via HID port.
• Insert the USB-C Male (Plug) into chargers when testing PD power supply.
• Disconnect any devices connected to the USB-C receptacle before using this function. Users are responsible for any damage.

Screenshots show the "Charging protocol" menu with options like "Auto detection", "Power Delivery", "QC2.0", "QC3.0", and various fast charging protocols like FCP, SCP, AFC, VOOC.

The available options include cable simulation, requesting PD type, and scanning VOOC/MTK protocols (exclusive for KM003C). Firmware updates may be required.

Auto detection

How to use: Application > Charging protocol > Auto detection.

Screenshots show "Auto detection" interfaces listing protocols like FCP, SCP, AFC, QC3+, VIFC, UFCS, PD3.0, Apple 2.4A, Samsung 2A.

KM002C Supported Protocols:

PD2.0 / PD2.0 PPS / PD3.1(EPR) / QC2.0 / QC3.0 / QC3+ / QC4+ / QC5 / AFC / FCP / SCP / VIFC / UFCS / APPLE2.4A / SAMSUNG

KM002C Unsupported Protocols:

VOOC / MTK PE / SFCP

KM003C Supported Protocols:

PD2.0 / PD2.0 PPS / PD3.1(EPR) / QC2.0 / QC3.0 / QC3+ / QC4+ / QC5 / AFC / FCP / SCP / VIFC / UFCS / APPLE2.4A / SAMSUNG / VOOC / MTK PE / SFCP

Single protocol detection/trigger

How to use: Application > Charging protocol > Power Delivery.

Steps:

1. Connect the power supply to the HID port.
2. Insert the USB-C Male (Plug) of the tester into the chargers.
3. Note: No need to insert into USB-C female (Receptacle) as the tester simulates a 50V/5A cable. If simulation is imperfect, use a cable with a 5A E-Marker chip for the USB-C female (Receptacle), especially for PD 3.1 testing (requires a 240W cable).
4. Show supported PD information and press "Got it!".
5. Use "left" and "right" buttons to modify values and press "confirm" to trigger voltage or current. This process is similar for other protocols.
6. For testing power supplies with USB-A ports, use the USB-C female (Receptacle) and do not use the USB-C Male (Plug).

Screenshots illustrate various protocol detection interfaces (Figures 1-8).

Supported protocols: PD2.0 / PPS / EPR / QC2.0 / QC3.0 / AFC / FCP / SCP / VIFC / UFCS / VOOC. A small load is required for VOOC/SVOOC protocol triggering.

Unsupported protocols: MTK PE / SFCP.

Supplementary Instructions of PD protocol

This tester is designed for PD protocol testing. The PD protocol is a new power transmission solution with significant differences from traditional fast charging protocols.

• The PD protocol relies on the USB-C port; older ports are incompatible.
• USB-C has a feature where it stays at 0V when not working, requiring a status signal to activate 5V. This differs from USB-A ports and is similar to mobile phone OTG. The tester may not light up when plugged in, hence the need for a power supply when triggering fast charging.

(2) Modules

USB-C eMarker

How to use: Application > Modules > USB-C eMarker.

Reads USB-C eMarker information, supporting 3A / 5A / 50V / EPR / TBT3 / TBT4 cables. EPR supports the latest PD3.1 protocol, requiring compatible cables for power exceeding 20V/100W.

Screenshots show USB-C eMarker information including Type, Vendor, Specs, VER, VDO object hex, IdHeader, CertStat, Product, Cable, SVID, TBT3.

Apple Charger

How to use: Application > Modules > Apple Charger.

Reads Apple charger information to differentiate genuine from fake chargers.

Screenshot shows Apple Charger information including Vendor, Product, SN, ID, VID, FW, HW.

Extended tools (In development)

How to use: Application > Modules > Extended tools.

• Read information of MFI cable: Application > Modules > Extended tools > MFI cable.
• Internal resistance test of cable: Application > Modules > Extended tools > Internal resistance.

(3) Settings

Settings > Display

• Brightness: Adjust the brightness.
• Reduce brightness: Brightness reduces after a period of no operation.
• Screen saver: Power information shown in large fonts after a period of no operation (In development).
• Startup screen: Displays "POWER-Z" at startup; text/image can be customized.
• Themes: In development.

Screenshots show the Display settings menu, Brightness slider, and a stylized 'Z' logo.

Settings > Storage

Manage stored data and set auto-run rules.

• Data: Usage of each data group, readable by PC software.
• Save interval: Set from 1 to 120 seconds; each group limited to 10,000 pieces. Recording every 5 seconds saves about 13 hours of data.
• Start rule: Disabled by default; can auto-start recording by setting a value.
• End rule: Disabled by default; can auto-stop recording by setting a value, useful for monitoring charging curves.
• Delete all data: Deletes all recorded data, manageable on PC software.

Screenshots show Storage settings, Save interval options, and Start rule options.

Settings > Language

Allows switching between English and Chinese.

Screenshot shows the Language menu with "简体中文" (Simplified Chinese) and "English" options.

Settings > About

• Device Information: View device info, firmware version, SN, etc.
• User manual: Scan to get this manual.

Screenshots show the About menu with "Device information" and "User manual" options, and a "Device information" screen detailing Brand, Model, Clock freq., ROM, Screen, SN, Date, HW, FW.

Settings > Reset all settings

Restores factory settings; the file system will be formatted, and all data will be lost.

Screenshot shows the "Reset all settings" confirmation dialog.