USB hubs It has been my assumption USB hubs provide data transfer and power on each port Now wh...

[G+_Rud Dog]

USB hubs

It has been my assumption USB hubs provide data transfer and power on each port. Now while trying to upgrade my 2.0 whether it be 4 port or 7 port finding out I know nozing about ports on USB Hubs.

First off if it is a charging port then no data transfer period.

Also not sure what kind of power the other non-charging ports supply cause was under the impression all other ports were low power and data transfer ports. But can't find how much these non-charging-port ports supply?

[G+_Todd Barnard]

I just picked up one of these to test how much power my Firetv stick was drawing, should work for you.

 

 

amazon.com - Cingk USB Safety Tester Monitor for Quick Charge Cellphone and Charger of QC2.0/QC3.0/MTK-PE/Iphone 2.4A with Wide Range of 3-30V, 0-5.1A to Protect your Device Safe - - Amazon.com

[G+_Giligain I.]

Yes, the USB charge dr. is an excellent piece to have to monitor charging of anything. I got mine from Aliexpress for a few $ and have one with small display data < https://plus.google.com/photos/photo/110690680341063574122/6233870760682577714?iem=4&gpawv=1&hl=en >and one with large display data and dual output ports too. The cumulative power used recorded is nice to actually know what battery capacity really is.

 

Many to choose from Aliexpress:

https://m.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-usb+doctor.html#/

[G+_Ben Reese]

USB hubs can be powered externally or just get their power from the USB port on the host.

 

I believe the USB 2.0 spec is 500mA for data ports, but it shouldn't be limited to that. For USB 3.0, that should be a 900mA limit. I was also thinking most phones were designed to only draw a small amount of power when plugged into a data connection - so they don't draw more current than the computer can comfortably provide and assuming you're plugging in to transfer data instead of power.

 

If your hub has a "charging" port, there is probably no data lines connected and the phone will pull the full current availability - usually 1A for cheap chargers and up to 3A for nicer chargers (I think QC3.0 supports 5V 3A or up to 20V at lower amps).

 

That's about the extent of my USB knowledge (some facts may be off). One of those USB testers would be a great way to research - though may give an incomplete test if the data pins aren't connected through the device.

[G+_Black Merc]

The 'charging port' with no data lines is a manufacturers option... (There is no reason not to have data lines) the usb-c charging is proof, on the new machines, that one port(usb-c) may be all you have to attach anything, it would be stupid not to have data lines(mho).

[G+_Rud Dog]

Todd Barnard Convinced I need a gadget like that.

[G+_Rud Dog]

Giligain I. Wow did not know there were so many of these devices. Now to pick one.

[G+_Rud Dog]

Ben Reese The current available is something in need of nailing down. Another thought came to mind what if you exceed the current max limit on a port? How do you know this has taken place. Unless they added the circuitry "Current limiting".

[G+_Rud Dog]

Black Merc In my case the computer sports 2 USB type 2 and 2 USB type 3 and not sure how the "C" type connector is handled especially with older computers.

[G+_Rud Dog]

Surprised the makers of these devices don't' take into account the older sight impaired hobbyist. It would great if the screen was a bit larger like the one on the older keyboarded Blackberry. Guess I am gonna have to pick one with the largest font.

[G+_Todd Barnard]

Rud Dog I have a bunch of streaming boxes, picked up a FireTV Stick on sale. It came with a 1amp adapter, and the USB port on my RokuTV was rated at 1/2 amp, so I was hesitant to run it too long.

 

This device showed me it pulled less that 1/3 amp when streaming from Amazon or Youtube. No worries.

[G+_Todd Barnard]

Rud Dog There as some with larger displays, only showing volts and amps, I did get one of these too, largely because it had a pigtail for tight spaces.

 

Its on Amazon too.

[G+_Ben Reese]

Todd Barnard that's interesting. The front of my receiver has a USB port with a "1A" label next to it. The Fire TV Stick warns that it may not get enough power from that source. Still runs fine, but I only use it for testing.

[G+_Todd Barnard]

Ben Reese Ben, I Googled looking for amp draws before ordering the devices, and heard of similar warnings.

 

I've never seen it and got similar values from both meters.

 

I did not want to chance damaging the TV, not so concerned with the stick!

 

[G+_Rud Dog]

Just scrolled through this topic and thought I asked what happens if a devices draws more then the port can provide?

[G+_Black Merc]

Rud Dog depends on the maker... If they put in self resetting fuses, limiter circuits or relies on the host device to manage it.

Worst case... The over current starts a fire.(not likely)

[G+_Joe Valasko]

Here is a link to some information about USB Compliance Program USB-IF.

usb.org - USB.org - USB-IF Compliance Program