Connecting a thunderbolt to FW cable while my imac is on

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Level 1

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Connecting a thunderbolt to FW cable while my imac is on

Hi everybody,

I use a FW soundcard, and i know it's not really good for the FW port to connect the device while the computer is on.

Now there's no FW port on Mac computers, i was wondering if it's also dangerous to plug the thunderbolt to FW adapter while the computer is on. If it's dangerous for the computer, or the soundcard.

What's your experience ?

thank you

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Feb 11, 2014 3:26 AM

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Answer 1

MartinR

Level 6

18,863 points

Feb 11, 2014 6:28 AM in response to FloreMusic

Given the potential risks and the near impossibility of repairing a blown TB or FW port, my advice is to only connect or disconnect a Thunderbolt or FW device when your iMac and the TB/FW device(s) are both powered down and disconnected from power.

This is understandably a conservative and maybe at times an inconvenient approach - but it's simple and it protects you from potentially expensive damage to your iMac and your peripherals.

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