Review of 'Power-Z KM003C,' a USB PD3.1 compatible USB tester that allows you to view measurement results on a PC app, even though you can buy it for 10,000 yen, 'Device power supply status', 'USP PD communication content', 'Quick charging support' You can check a huge amount of information such as 'standards' and save and compare measurement results, which is super convenient.
The GIGAZINE editorial department reviews a variety of devices such as smartphones, PCs, and USB adapters, and the USB tester that can check the USB power supply status and compatible standards of the device is very useful. However, the USB tester in the editorial department does not have a function to output images of the measurement results, and it was necessary to directly capture a small screen with a camera to show the measurement results. ``I want to output and save the measurement results on the PC screen.If possible, I would also like the ability to display the power supply status trends in graphs and the ability to compare with past measurement results.''When I was looking for it, I found that it was multifunctional and relatively inexpensive. I discovered the USB tester ' Power-Z KM003C '. When I actually bought and used the Power-Z KM003C, I found it to be a very functional and useful device, so I've summarized how to use its main functions.
Introducing the Brand New POWER-Z KM003C - Chargerlab
·table of contents
◆1: Power-Z KM003C appearance check
◆2: Check the power supply status on the Power-Z KM003C main unit
◆3: Install the PC app
◆4: Check the power supply status with the app
◆5: Create a database of measurement results and compare with past results
◆6: Check the USB PD communication content with the app
◆7: Check the compatible standards for quick charging on the Power-Z KM003C main unit
◆8: Check eMarker information on Power-Z KM003C main unit
◆9: Check the information of the Apple USB adapter on the Power-Z KM003C main unit
◆1: Power-Z KM003C appearance check
Power-Z KM003C can be purchased at online shops in Japan, but this time I purchased it from Amazon.com, which was linked from the official website. The price is $ 109.99 (about 16,300 yen). It will be a little more expensive if shipping costs are included.
Amazon.com: ChargerLAB Power-Z KM003C Portable USB-C Fast Charging Tester PD3.1 QC5.0 Digital Voltmeter & Ammeter Power Bank Tester : Automotive
The Power-Z KM003C arrived a few days after I ordered it.
Inside the package was a silver case and a piece of paper with a QR code that allowed you to access the official SNS.
When I opened the silver case, Power-Z KM003C appeared.
The appearance of Power-Z KM003C is like this. The front has a square display.
The official website URL and model name are written on the back.
The left side is equipped with a USB Type-C port for auxiliary power input.
There are four buttons lined up on the right side. The functions of the buttons are ``Cancel'', ``Confirm'', ``Proceed to next'', and ``Back to previous'' in order from the top.
USB Type-C male terminal on the top.
There is a USB Type-C female terminal on the bottom.
◆2: Check the power supply status on the Power-Z KM003C main unit
Power-Z KM003C can output measurement results to two places: 'on-board display' and 'PC app'. First, try executing the operation ``Check the power supply status to devices such as smartphones on the main unit display.''
First, in order to supply power to the Power-Z KM003C main unit, insert the USB Type-C cable into the side of the main unit and connect it with the USB adapter.
The Power-Z KM003C's display will then light up and display the voltage, current, and power being output from the power supply.
Next, prepare a USB adapter that supplies power to the smartphone, and connect the USB Type-C cable to the female terminal of Power-Z KM003C instead of the smartphone.
Finally, connect the male terminal of Power-Z KM003C to your smartphone and you are ready.
You can now check the voltage, current, and power being output from the USB adapter to your smartphone.
By the way, in addition to wiring ``Connect the female terminal of Power-Z KM003C to the USB adapter, and connect the male terminal to the output destination device,'' you can also wire ``Connect the male terminal of Power-Z KM003C to the USB adapter, and connect the female terminal to the You can also check the output status using the 'Connect output destination device' wiring.
◆3: Install the PC app
By installing an application called 'Mtools' on your PC, you can check the output status of the Power-Z KM003C from your PC. To install Mtools, first access the link below.
KM003C/KM002C Technical Support - Chargerlab
Find the link to Google Drive and click it.
Once you access Google Drive, double-click 'PC Software'.
A ZIP file with a name such as '(V2.3.0) PE version - PC Software (KM002C/KM003C).zip' is saved, so click 'Download' to download it.
If a warning appears stating that the file size is too large to be checked for viruses, click 'Ignore errors and download'.
Extract the downloaded ZIP file using Windows standard functions or a compatible application such as '
Run 'Mtools.exe' saved in the extracted file.
Then Mtools will start.
◆4: Check the power supply status with the app
To check the measurement results of the Power-Z KM003C on a PC, first start Mtools on the PC, then connect the PC and the auxiliary power port of the Power-Z KM003C with a USB cable, and connect the male and female terminals of the device you want to measure. Connect to the terminal.
The serial number of Power-Z KM003C will be displayed on the left side of the Mtools screen, so double-click it.
Then, voltage, current, and power were displayed at the top of the screen as shown below.
To display the measurement results in graph format, click the play button on the right side of the screen.
The graph will then be drawn. In the graph, the horizontal axis shows the elapsed time from the start of drawing, and the vertical axis shows the voltage and current, the green line shows the voltage and the pink line shows the change in current. To stop graph drawing, click the stop button.
In the initial state, measurement results are plotted once per second. The drawing frequency can be changed from 'Sampling Rate'. For example, if you select '1KSPS', you can plot 1000 times per second. I tried clicking '1KSPS' and then clicking the play button.
A graph that plots 1000 times per second looks like this. You can check detailed changes in voltage and current.
If you want to save the graph as an image file, click the blue button on the left side of the screen and then click 'Export'.
Specify the output image resolution and click 'OK'.
Specify the save destination and file name and click 'Save'. The save format can be selected from 'JPEG', 'PNG', 'GIF', 'BMP', 'SVG', and 'PDF'.
The saved image is below.
◆5: Create a database of measurement results and compare with past results
Mtools also has the ability to create a database of measurement results and display multiple results side by side. To save the measurement results, click the blue button and then click 'Export'.
Specify the save destination and name and click 'Save'. Data can be saved in CSV or DB format.
To display the measurement results side by side, click the orange button on the left side of the screen and then click 'Create Simulator'.
Then, a blank device information screen will be displayed, so double-click it.
If you double-click, a new measurement result display screen will be displayed to the right of the measurement result display screen. At the time of article creation, it is possible to line up up to 4 measurement result display screens. When I try to create a 5th screen, the app is forced to close.
Next, load the exported data into the newly created measurement results display screen. First, click the blue button and then click 'Import'.
Select the data you want to load and click 'Open'.
Now you can compare multiple pieces of data. Now you can compare real-time measurement data with saved data, or compare saved data with each other.
In the standard state, the sidebar gets in the way and the graph display area is narrow, so click the button circled in red to hide the sidebar.
This allows you to view the graph larger.
◆6: Check the USB PD communication content with the app
By combining Power-Z KM003C and Mtools, you can check the USB PD communication content from your PC. First, wire the device in the same way as checking the output status.
Next, click 'PD Analyzer' at the top of the screen.
Click the play button.
Then, the USB PD communication content will be displayed at the top of the screen, and the voltage and current magnitude will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
To enable USB PD communication, unplug the USB cable and then reinsert it.
Then, the communication contents were displayed in a row at the top of the screen. By checking the communication content, you can see what output the USB adapter is proposing, what type of output the device requested, and the actual output status.
USB PD communication contents can also be converted into a database. To create a database, click the yellow save button at the top of the screen.
Specify the save destination and file name, then click 'Save'. Note that USB PD communication content can be saved in either SQLite format or pdStream format.
Click the red file open button to load the saved data.
Select the file you want to load and click 'Open'.
This allows you to reconfirm past communications.
◆7: Check the compatible standards for quick charging on the Power-Z KM003C body
Power-Z KM003C also has a function to check the fast charging standards supported by the USB adapter. To check compatibility with fast charging standards, first connect the auxiliary power source to Power-Z KM003C, then connect the USB adapter and Power-Z KM003C.
Press the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons on the right side to display the 'Application' screen and select 'Charging protocol'.
Select 'Be ready!'
Select 'Auto detection'.
Please wait for a while as the analysis of compatible standards begins.
After waiting for a while, the compatible standards of the USB adapter will be displayed as shown below.
◆8: Check eMarker information on Power-Z KM003C main unit
Some USB Type-C cables have a built-in IC chip 'eMarker' that records cable information. You can also check eMarker information using Power-Z KM003C.
To check eMarker information, connect the auxiliary power supply to Power-Z KM003C, and connect the USB cable whose information you want to check to the female terminal of Power-Z KM003C.
Select “Modules” from “Application”.
Select 'USB-C eMarker'.
Then, eMarker information will be displayed. With this, you can check the maximum power that can be supplied and the compatible standards.
◆9: Check the information of the Apple USB adapter on the Power-Z KM003C main unit
You can also check information about Apple USB adapters using the Power-Z KM003C. This time, I will check the information on the following USB adapter.
First, connect the Power-Z KM003C to the auxiliary power supply, and then connect the USB adapter and Power-Z KM003C.
Select “Apple Charger” in “Modules”.
Then, the product name and serial number of the USB adapter will be displayed.
In order to see what the result would be if it was not an Apple USB adapter, I connected an Anker USB adapter and tried using the 'Apple Charger'.
Then, a notification saying 'Please connect the USB-C charger' was displayed. Using this function, you can also identify fake Apple USB adapters.
In addition, Power-Z KM003C is available at Amazon.com for $ 109.99 (approximately 16,300 yen) excluding shipping at the time of article creation.
Amazon.com: ChargerLAB Power-Z KM003C Portable USB-C Fast Charging Tester PD3.1 QC5.0 Digital Voltmeter & Ammeter Power Bank Tester : Automotive
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• Discord | 'Do you have a USB tester? What do you use it for?' | GIGAZINE
https://discord.com/channels/1037961069903216680/1201465269135081512
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