USB Hubs / Powered or not

Scafremon · 04-08-2003, 07:04 PM

What's the determining factor if you need a hub with it's own power source or not?

I'm confusing myself trying to figure this one out.

Zip-Lock · 04-08-2003, 07:39 PM

It depends on the load of the devices plugged into the hub. From my personal experience, I never seemed to be able to get away with not powering the hub. The USB spec doesn't allow for much.

mp3moose · 04-08-2003, 08:28 PM

You can use the Device Manager in Windows XP or 2000 to look at how much power is being drawn by your USB devices.

1) Open Device Manger
2) Expand your entry for USB controllers.
3) Right-click on USB root hub, then select Properties.
4) Select the Power tab.

MP3DUB · 04-10-2003, 03:14 PM

High powered device = 500ma, low powered device = 100ma. The root hub provides upto 500ma to a port, so that 500ma is availible to how ever many things you would plug into your unpowered hub. If you're just going to connect a keyboard and a mouse, that would be fine, but if you're wanting to connect a wifi usb adapter, a usb digicam, etc, an unpowered hub wont cut it.

Jir1984 · 06-15-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MP3DUB

High powered device = 500ma, low powered device = 100ma. The root hub provides upto 500ma to a port, so that 500ma is availible to how ever many things you would plug into your unpowered hub. If you're just going to connect a keyboard and a mouse, that would be fine, but if you're wanting to connect a wifi usb adapter, a usb digicam, etc, an unpowered hub wont cut it.

if you have a self powered hub...would it draw too much power once the carcomputer is turned off?..or aslong as the carcomputer is off and all of the devices (except for the GPS) are of is it ok?