the British Library's USB-C outlets are compatible with the thinkpad x1 carbon 8th gen

With USB Power Delivery, something can look like a USB-C outlet, but not deliver the right many volts the device wants.

I've noticed later generations of X1 Carbons work with a wider range of USB PD power supplies, but I think they still require one of the higher voltages, perhaps 15V or 20V.  Basic 5V chargers with a USB-C-shaped outlet can not power an X1 Carbon, even recent ones.

The British Library's desk USB-C outlets power an X1 Carbon 8th gen, albeit at low power.  Connecting it with a 2m apple USB-C cable resulted in gnome desktop's battery icon changing to "I'm charging" after a couple of seconds.  It reported "7:20 until full (94%)", implying it can only just supply a net positive amount while the X1 Carbon 8th gen is running a light workload with no accessories.  But then it changed to "0:17 (95%)", implying a higher surfeit. 

At least one thing now works: this.

I did find a glitch, tho.  Connecting a device to the adjacent USB-A outlet, in this case an iphone, kicks the laptop charging off.  I checked and it's repeatable.  There is some weird coupling between the two ports.  Replugging the laptop with the phone still connected does not result in a charging laptop, and the phone announces it's charging again, as tho it was briefly interrupted.  Disconnecting the phone sometimes starts the laptop charging again.  When not, replugging the laptop with the other device disconnected does it.

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