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Do I loose much power from a USB port by splitting it with a non powered hub?

  • 04-06-2008 11:01pm
    #1
    Run_to_da_hills
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭


    If I split a USB2 outlet from a laptop into two or three seperate USB ports using a non powered hub do I loose much power? What could and what should I not use? Ie do mice, usb hdds, pen drives, USB Wifi use much power? Can I damage anything if I draw too much from it?


Comments

  • #2
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    the maximum draw from a single USB port is 0.5mA. If you plug a 4 way hub into it, and plug 4 devices in, they will have to share that 0.5mA.

    Pen Drive consumption would be considered very low.
    An optical Mouse would be low.
    A Laser Mouse would be higher.
    A USB powered hard drive (such as a WD Passport) requires at least 0.4mA to operate iirc. It really needs a direct link, from a short cable of around 12 inches. You wont do damage to it that im aware of with a lower charge, but you wont be able to read/write from it at all. Better to unplug it if the computer cant read from it.
    I also imagine USB WiFi would be very power intensive.

    However if the hub had its own power supply then it will be able to provide 0.5mA to each port and solve your issue.


  • #3
    Run_to_da_hills
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    Overheal wrote: »
    the maximum draw from a single USB port is 0.5mA. If you plug a 4 way hub into it, and plug 4 devices in, they will have to share that 0.5mA.

    Pen Drive consumption would be considered very low.
    An optical Mouse would be low.
    A Laser Mouse would be higher.
    A USB powered hard drive (such as a WD Passport) requires at least 0.4mA to operate iirc. It really needs a direct link, from a short cable of around 12 inches. You wont do damage to it that im aware of with a lower charge, but you wont be able to read/write from it at all. Better to unplug it if the computer cant read from it.
    I also imagine USB WiFi would be very power intensive.

    However if the hub had its own power supply then it will be able to provide 0.5mA to each port and solve your issue.
    Cheers


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