2. UD-CA1A: Understanding Power Deli...

UD-CA1A: Understanding Power Delivery (60W)

Last Update: December 10th, 2025
Article ID: 3624191

The Plugable UD-CA1A is a compact, single-cable USB-C docking station that expands ports and drives a single display while providing up to 60W Power Delivery (PD) to your laptop. Here’s how to know if 60W is the right fit, and what to expect in mixed or high-demand scenarios.

Who the UD-CA1A is perfect for (60W or less)

If your laptop shipped with a 45W–60W USB-C power adapter (as on many ultrabooks and business notebooks), the UD-CA1A will typically meet the system’s designed charging rate for everyday workflows like web, email, and Office apps. That wattage range aligns with the “low-power laptop” tier commonly recommended for ultrabooks such as XPS 13 or MacBook Air-class systems.

What you should see:

  • The system charges at its intended rate during normal use.
  • You should not see “slow charger” or “low power source” warnings during normal use.

Using 60W with higher-wattage laptops (85W–100W+)

Many performance-oriented laptops are designed for 85W–100W (or more). They can often negotiate down to 60W from the dock, but behaviour varies by model and workload:

  • Informational messages such as “Slow Charger,” “PC isn’t charging,” or “Low Power Source” may appear. This indicates the laptop can accept more power than the dock is providing, not a fault.
  • Slower net charging may occur compared to the OEM adapter. Under heavier loads, some systems may pause charging or even draw from the battery while plugged in.
  • Gaming/workstation systems frequently require >100W. For these, plan on the OEM power adapter for sustained performance; docks can still handle displays and peripherals.

For laptops that ship with 45W–60W adapters (most ultrabooks/business notebooks) use the UD-CA1A (60W PD) as your primary power source.

  • Expect normal charging behaviour during everyday work (web, email, Office, meetings).
  • You should not see “slow charger” or “low power source” messages in typical workflows.

For laptops that ship with ~85W–100W adapters (performance ultrabooks, some mobile workstations), opt for a higher-PD docking station to match the laptop’s designed charge rate.

  • This avoids warning messages and helps maintain/charge the battery under heavier loads.
  • If you must use a 60W dock short-term, in most cases, it's fine for light office work, just note that charging may be slower and warnings may appear during spikes in demand.

For laptops that require >100W (gaming/workstation), plan on using the OEM power adapter for charging and the dock for connectivity (display, Ethernet, USB).

  • Your laptop should draw from one power source at a time(the highest wattage); they won’t combine dock power with the OEM adapter.
  • This approach prevents battery drain during sustained high loads.

Quick Decision Guide

  • Your OEM adapter is 45W–60W: Use UD-CA1A (60W) as your all-in-one power + connectivity solution.
  • Your OEM adapter is ~85W–100W: Step up to a higher-PD dock for primary charging; use 60W only for lighter workloads.
  • Your OEM adapter is >100W: Use the OEM adapter for power, dock for everything else. 

FAQ

Will the dock and OEM charger “combine” power?
No. Laptops typically draw from a single preferred source at a time. In high-demand cases, use the OEM adapter for power and the dock for connectivity.

Will I damage my laptop by using 60W on a 100W-rated system?
No, USB-C PD is negotiated. The laptop simply draws less than it could with its OEM adapter, which can lead to slower charging, no charge at all on some systems or warnings under load.

Do I need drivers?
No, UD-CA1A uses USB-C Alt Mode for video (no DisplayLink required). For advanced multi-display needs or legacy USB-A hosts, consider a DisplayLink-based dock instead.