Powered or Unpowered usb hub with time capsule?

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Level 1

8 points

Powered or Unpowered usb hub with time capsule?

Hi,
I'm planning to connect 2 self powered WD 1TB hard drives (and maybe a printer as well) to my time capsule through a usb hub.
Although it says that the usb hub has to be "powered" i don't really understand why and is it really required if the external hard drives i'm going to connect are already powered and do not depend on the power coming from the usb port..?

Did anyone try to do it with an UNpowered usb hub?
Thanks.

Posted on Feb 7, 2010 6:31 AM

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Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

184,988 points

Feb 7, 2010 8:20 AM in response to Mark_

The external drives that you have that are "already powered" likely use the power for the drive, not necessarily to supply power to the USB port on the device.

If you use a non-powered hub, it will probably work. You can also pull a heavy trailer with a half ton pickup even though the manufacturer recommends a towing vehicle with more power. In either case, you will eventually probably have problems.

Why risk the high cost of repairing a USB port when you can protect yourself for a fraction of the cost of repairs?

Bottom line, it's up to you. The instructions to use a powered hub are there for a reason.

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Answer 2

Mark_ Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 7, 2010 9:19 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob, thanks!
You're probably right.. If it says powered then probably it should be powered..
Though i'm still curious, why? I always thought that powered usb hubs are intended for use with unpowered devices like portable hard drives that are using the usb power to operate, so if you connect several devices through a hub - the power of the single computer port is being shared among the devices and there just might not be enough power for all of them..
Am I missing something?

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Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

184,988 points

Feb 7, 2010 9:34 AM in response to Mark_

In my opinion, the Time Capsule has a barely adequate power supply section. Anything you can do to avoid placing more stress on the device is to your advantage. Maybe Apple feels the same way since they specify that a powered hub should be used when connecting multiple devices?

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