Powered USB hub and external hard drive

lazyn · Nov 8, 2012, 08:16 AM

Hello,
I've just bought a powered USB hub for a MacBook. I'd like to use two external HD (one of which is just used for storage) and I was wondering if I had to power these two HD.
I don't want to do anything stupid and kill a HD!
Thanks.

tersono · Nov 8, 2012, 10:01 AM

Depends on the HDs and, to a degree, the hub you've bought.

However, you won't do any damage - if there's not enough power, they simply won't mount...

zObsidian · Nov 8, 2012, 10:14 AM

Every USB hub that I have seen are powered (supplies power to the devices you plug into it). You might be able to check the max amount of power it supplies by checking for any wattage marks on the hub or power adapter and match it with what the hard drive power requirements are.

Generally speaking though, most hubs are designed to provide enough power to each individual device so it should work fine.

lazyn · Nov 8, 2012, 10:46 AM

Thanks for the replies. I will check that.

Quote:

However, you won't do any damage - if there's not enough power, they simply won't mount...

That's the opposite I'm afraid of. Would too much current do any damage?

blevins321 · Nov 8, 2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazyn

Thanks for the replies. I will check that.

That's the opposite I'm afraid of. Would too much current do any damage?

No, the device will only take as much as is required. Almost any powered (as in AC adapter to wall) would be able to power a couple bus powered drives no problem.

Nov 8, 2012, 08:16 AM	#1
lazyn macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2012	Powered USB hub and external hard drive Hello, I've just bought a powered USB hub for a MacBook. I'd like to use two external HD (one of which is just used for storage) and I was wondering if I had to power these two HD. I don't want to do anything stupid and kill a HD! Thanks.
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Nov 8, 2012, 10:01 AM	#2
tersono macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK	Depends on the HDs and, to a degree, the hub you've bought. However, you won't do any damage - if there's not enough power, they simply won't mount... __________________ 11" MacBook air 2012 i5 4gb/ 128gb - 17" unibody MBP C2D 2.8Gz / 4gb / 500gb - 20" iMac 2ghz C2D / 4gb/ 2tb - iPad 3 32gb wifi/3G - iPhone 5 16gb I also like it HERE
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Nov 8, 2012, 10:14 AM	#3
zObsidian macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2010	Every USB hub that I have seen are powered (supplies power to the devices you plug into it). You might be able to check the max amount of power it supplies by checking for any wattage marks on the hub or power adapter and match it with what the hard drive power requirements are. Generally speaking though, most hubs are designed to provide enough power to each individual device so it should work fine.
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