[ctrl-j]

A short circuit is usually a wiring issue. A poorly manufactured USB cable can certainly cause a short circuit.

Fire investigators are also well versed in the forensic investigation of these scenes. If his expert analysis determined the cord was at fault, there's a good chance it was the cable and not the device.

[sigstoat]

> A short circuit is usually a wiring issue. A poorly manufactured USB cable can certainly cause a short circuit.

yes. also extremely high quality cables which have been damaged in the field can develop a short.

power supplies intended for use by users who cannot/will not inspect their cabling for damage (morally) should detect that the output is shorted and stop applying a voltage.

they're the only device in the "charger, cable, chargee" chain that can do anything about the situation.