2006-12-22 19:53:39 · 7 answers · asked by saha 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
That depends on what you are going to connect on it.
An USB Port can sustain 500 Milliampere (mA) of current. So if you are going to plug in devices, that are powered by an external power source like a printer or an external harddrive with power supply, you will be fine.
However, if you want to plug in devices that are "bus powered" (i.e. devices, that draw power from the USB port like webcams, keyboards etc.), then all devices on that port must not exceed 500 mA. Keep in mind, that the USB hub also draws power.
To check how much power a device needs, open up the Device Manager in Windows XP (Press Windows-Key+Pause or right click on "My Computer" and choose "Settings").
Then klick the "Hardware" tab and click "Device Manager".
Scroll down to "USB Controller". In that list should be "USB Root Hub" or "Standard USB Hub" or something similar.
Double click this device.
Klick on the "Power" tab (or similarily named. I use a German Windows).
There you see a list of devices currently connected to this USB port and how much power this device needs.
Keep in mind, that these numbers are guidelines and not actual measurements.
Its just, that somewhere in the device is a chip, that tells your PC "Hey, if you want to use me, you need to know, that I can use up to xy mA".
Basically, just buy a hub, that has a power supply. If you don't need it, you can leave the power unplugged. But sometime in the future, you are probably going to need it...
2006-12-22 21:43:43 · answer #1 · answered by Arminator 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are connecting a jump drive, mouse, or a keyboard at the same time in the hub, then no you don't need a power supply. These items don't require much power to function. But if you start adding external hard drives, chill mats, scanners, etc.; then it would be a good idea to have it's own power supply. The problem is that not all come with their own power supply. So my suggestion is to buy a usb hub that comes with a power supply just to be safe.
2006-12-22 20:09:15 · answer #2 · answered by StinkyFeet 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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All USB devices require power. The problem with USB hubs is that the hub is connected to one USB port to your computer -- 1 USB port can only provide about 500mA (2.5 volts) of power. This power is shared equally between all the devices connected on your hub. USB hubs with more than 4 ports typically come with an AC adapter to help boost the power output, so your devices will keep working. iPods and printers are self-powered -- they either have batteries or their own AC power, so they rarely draw power from the USB port. The same goes for mice and keyboards, depending on what you use, these kinds of devices typically don't draw much power either. It is when you start using USB hard drives, thats a different story since HDD's consume more power than any USB connected device. Right now you only have low powered devices connected -- you're probably bordering on using the maximum amount of power a single USB port can provide, so if you connect more devices your hub can become underpowered and stop working.
2016-04-05 01:20:59 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ur question is not clear, please make clear ur question?
I will answer U with the knowledge I understood ur question.
Generally USB port HUB doesn't require external power... however if U are going to devices which requires power to drive the motor(like printers, scanners, etc.,), then there is in need of power supply compulsion.
It all deponds on the device u are connecting to the hub.. Also the supply is again needed to the device u are connecting..
Now let me tell the supply distribution, Our PC built provides 12v, 5v.. Now USB drive will receive or requires input voltage from 4v to 9v... So there is no problem for our PC to distribute this voltage... As finally now there is no need of external supply....
And now comes due to the business proposals they also released external adapters to provide power supply, to drive heavy load... Make clear it is optional...optional...
Think U got clear..
2006-12-22 20:38:15 · answer #4 · answered by praveen k 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Power supply is optional as long as the power requirements are not exceeded. If your devices are too power hungry then not all of them will run. In that case you need a powered hub.
2006-12-22 19:57:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The power is supplied from the motherboard, which is connected to the power supply. So technically it's just sharing the power off the main board.
2006-12-22 19:55:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
usualy, unless the devices connected to it are self powered like a printer or scanner
2006-12-22 19:55:21 · answer #7 · answered by Dashes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋