Insertion counter for USB outlets

A power-providing assembly, including:

• a first power-providing outlet assembly;
• a counting unit including at least one of a cable resistance detection circuit, a mechanical mechanism and an electric mechanism;
• wherein the counting unit is configured to detect connection events wherein a first device connector is connected to the first power-providing outlet and maintain a non-volatile connection count of the connection events to the first power-providing outlet;
• and
• when the incremental count reaches a predetermined number of counts, providing a limit indicator.

A method of monitoring power-providing outlet lifecycle, including the steps of:

• providing a first power-providing outlet assembly;
• the outlet assembly including a counting unit including at least one of a cable resistance detection circuit, a mechanical mechanism and an electric mechanism;
• detecting a plurality of connection events wherein a first connector is connected to the first power-providing outlet;
• for each connection event, updating a non-volatile connection count by hardware or firmware or software means for the first power-providing outlet;
• and
• wherein the counting unit is configured to provide a first alert when the incremental count reaches a first threshold.