I would not use metal simply because its hardness is going to be similar or higher than the hardness of the contacts themselves, which means there’s a chance it could scratch or break the contact entirely.
Defectus@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
a simple sewing needle does the job
Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
ChairmanMeow@programming.dev 2 weeks ago
You generally won’t be touching the contacts much, since most gunk like lint can just be scooped out. Just be a bit gentle and you’ll be fine.
winkerjadams@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
I use a toothpick as the metal could potentially short something
Romkslrqusz@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
You’re not going to short anything.
The power pins (VCC) on your phone’s USB-C port aren’t “live” at all times, the standard requires communication over CC1 and CC2 to negotiate which side is receiving power and at what voltage. Otherwise, a specific value of resistor needs to be in place between those pins and GND to get “dumb” charging at the original 5V usb standard.
EddoWagt@feddit.nl 3 weeks ago
The port should detect shorts and stop working, atleast on waterproof phones
tiramichu@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Sure. But that’s intended to detect shorts caused by water, and water is a much worse electrical conductor than a piece of metal, and so less damaging in the time it takes to detect a short.
Even if phones have some level of protection, why risk damage when you could use something wooden and just not risk it at all?
elucubra@sopuli.xyz 3 weeks ago
Also, metal needles or equivalent can raise contacts and do their damage. I cut the toothpicks with a cutter so that they are wedge shaped.
EddoWagt@feddit.nl 2 weeks ago
Because fuck it.
In all seriousness, my toothpicks didn’t fit the last time I tried so I just grabbed a needle and has worked fine for me, just be a bit careful
ChairmanMeow@programming.dev 2 weeks ago
You really won’t short something, and wooden toothpicks are at risk of splintering and leaving more behind than getting out if you’re not careful.