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Full Power Magnetic Charging Card

The Full Power Magnetic Charging Card is a community-designed DIY expansion card that brings Apple MagSafe-style magnetic charging to Framework laptops. Created by Sean Nagle (Sean_N) in October 2021, it was one of the earliest and most popular community expansion card projects, using a 3D-printed enclosure and off-the-shelf parts to enable breakaway magnetic charging at full USB-C power delivery wattage12.

The project was featured in coverage by Gizmodo, Notebookcheck, and Hackster.io as a notable example of early third-party Framework expansion card development345.

Background​

Apple's MagSafe magnetic charging connector — originally introduced on MacBook laptops and later brought to iPhone — provides a breakaway cable attachment that prevents the laptop from being pulled off a surface if the cable is snagged. Framework laptops use standard USB-C for charging, and while generic magnetic USB-C adapters exist, they protrude from the port and can interfere with laptop sleeves and backpacks3.

Sean Nagle, a field service engineer, designed a solution that integrates a magnetic USB-C adapter into a proper Framework expansion card form factor, making the magnetic connector flush with the laptop's edge. He cited Apple's likely patents on MagSafe as motivation for building his own: "I really liked the Apple magnetic charging and I was aware that they probably have some patent on it that is going to make it unavailable on other laptops. So I decided, if you can make your own, that's the route to do it"3.

Design​

Sean_N's Original Design​

The original design combines three components into a 3D-printed expansion card shell15:

  1. A CableCreation USB-C male-to-female extension adapter — provides the internal USB-C plug that inserts into the Framework expansion card slot, plus a flush external USB-C port1
  2. A iSkey 20-pin magnetic USB-C adapter — snaps into the external end, providing the magnetic breakaway connection (supports USB PD up to 100 W, 10 Gbps data, and 4K@60 Hz video)1
  3. A 3D-printed expansion card shell (STL file) — houses both components in the standard Framework expansion card form factor1

The shell was printed with the largest flat side down, 0.15 mm layer height, no supports, and 6 layers on top. Sean used Krylon metallic silver paint to match the Framework laptop's aluminum finish15. He recommended applying superglue at key points after testing the fit, since the shell's base is extremely thin, to improve rigidity5.

In testing, the card delivered approximately 56 W of power draw, close to the 60 W rating of the Framework power adapter3.

Allen_Dutra's Magnetic USB-C Charging Prototype​

A separate earlier prototype was created by Allen_Dutra in September 2021, using a JSAUX magnetic USB-C cable with a 3D-printed bracket that glued to the expansion card slot area6. This version was simpler but less integrated — it attached externally rather than using a proper expansion card enclosure. It was limited to USB 2.0 data speeds6.

Moe_Wigs' PCB-Based Design​

Community member Moe_Wigs later designed a custom PCB-based magnetic charging card that replaced the off-the-shelf USB-C extension adapter with a purpose-built circuit board, improving fit and reducing the reliance on hard-to-source components. The design files were shared within the community but generated discussion about commercialization of open-source community work7.

OSHE Magnetic Charging Connector Card​

In April 2026, the Open Source Hardware Enterprise (OSHE) at Michigan Technological University announced a custom PCB magnetic charging card8. Their design features:

  • Custom PCB with ESD protection diodes on VBus and data lines8
  • A two-part design: one PCB for the expansion bay, one adapter PCB for converting existing USB-C cables8
  • Tested with 100 W power delivery; untested at 240 W (Framework 16)8
  • Open-source design files available on GitHub8

Framework contributed a Framework 13 motherboard and Cooler Master case to support OSHE's development work8.

Safety Concerns​

Multiple community members and external sources have raised safety concerns about magnetic USB-C connectors910:

ConcernDetails
Pin shortingMagnetic connectors with closely-spaced pins can short during misaligned connection, potentially damaging the USB-C port or mainboard910
Signal integrityThe USB-C extension adapter does not conform to USB specifications due to signal attenuation, posing risk for data use7
Mainboard damageAt least one user reported a port permanently losing USB data functionality after using a magnetic connector, though the port retained power input capability11
Connector longevityHigh-voltage (20 V) scenarios may cause oxidation of magnetic contacts over time, particularly with 20–24 pin connectors6
No ESD protection (original)The original Sean_N design using off-the-shelf parts has no built-in ESD protection; later PCB designs (OSHE) add ESD diodes18

Community member jmariondev reported that after using a magnetic USB-C connector for a short period, the expansion card port on their Framework mainboard lost all USB data functionality and could only provide power input11.

A Reddit thread on r/UsbCHardware also warned about the risks of magnetic USB-C cables, noting pin spacing and shorting hazards10.

Cable Stiffness​

The original Framework power supply cable is relatively stiff, which can cause the magnetic connection to disconnect easily with minor cable movement. Several users recommended using more flexible third-party USB-C cables, such as the Baseus 100 W USB-C cable, to mitigate this issue12.

Parts and Assembly (Sean_N's Design)​

ComponentProductNotes
USB-C ExtensionCableCreation USB-C Male to Female AdapterWent out of stock in early 2022; alternatives found but fit varies13
Magnetic AdapteriSkey 20-Pin Magnetic USB-C AdapterSupports 100 W PD, 10 Gbps data, 4K@60 Hz1
Shell3D-printed STL (Google Drive)0.15 mm layer height, no supports, largest flat side down1
FinishKrylon metallic silver paintOptional, for aesthetic matching5
ReinforcementSuperglueRecommended at stress points after fit testing5

Footnotes​

  1. Full Power Magnetic Charging Card — Framework Community (Sean_N, October 2021) ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9

  2. Full Power Magnetic Charging Card — parts details (post #14) — Framework Community (feesh, November 2021) ↩

  3. These Framework Laptop Mods Show Us Exactly Why Modular Computers Are So Damn Cool — Gizmodo (Phillip Tracy, January 2022) ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  4. Framework Laptop: Third-party expansion modules start appearing with MagSafe-style magnetic charging and RF support — Notebookcheck (Alex Alderson, January 2022) ↩

  5. Sean N.'s 3D-Printed Expansion Card Brings Apple MagSafe-Style Charging to the Framework Laptop — Hackster.io (Gareth Halfacree, October 2022) ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  6. Magnetic USB-C Charging Prototype — Framework Community (Allen_Dutra, September 2021) ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  7. Full Power Magnetic Charging Card — extension adapter discussion (post #107) — Framework Community (Josh_Cook, May 2022) ↩ ↩2

  8. OSHE Framework Magnetic Charging Connector Card — Framework Community (OSHE_Framework, April 2026) ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8

  9. Magnetic usb-c cables are not recommended — r/UsbCHardware (Reddit) ↩ ↩2

  10. Magnetic cables: a warning — r/UsbCHardware (Reddit) ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  11. Full Power Magnetic Charging Card — mainboard damage report (post #184) — Framework Community (jmariondev, September 2022) ↩ ↩2

  12. Full Power Magnetic Charging Card — flexible cable recommendation (post #41) — Framework Community (Sean_N, November 2021) ↩

  13. Full Power Magnetic Charging Card — extension adapter availability (post #88) — Framework Community (Uwe, January 2022) ↩

  14. USB-C Expansion card 4.4 mm shorter; Volta Max compatible pcb — Framework Community ↩

  15. Interested in a Magsafe3 Expansion Card? — Framework Community (July 2023) ↩

  16. FrameworkComputer/ExpansionCards — GitHub ↩