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    How do I know if I'm pulling too much power through my usb ports?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by londez, Dec 2, 2009.

  1. londez

    londez Notebook Evangelist

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    I have an external usb fan that I got from extremegeek.com ( http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/SearchDetail.asp?productID=6718). If the link doesn't work search USB fan and it should be the first item to come up.

    I'm sure my computer can handle it (lots of people seem to use the external cooling pads), but I've heard that drawing too much power through usb ports can damage the ports. Should I be worried about using this fan at all? It doesn't seem to list the voltage anywhere and the packaging is long gone.
     
    londez, Dec 2, 2009
    #1
  2. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    Given that the product is designed to be powered via USB, it almost certainly conforms to the electrical specifications of the USB standard. I wouldn't worry about using it.
     
    Bog, Dec 2, 2009
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  3. BrandonSi

    BrandonSi Notebook Savant

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    And more likely there's voltage/current regulation on your motherboard, so at the worst I'd think your USB device might draw too little power to itself, causing damage to the device, not the laptop.
     
    BrandonSi, Dec 2, 2009
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  4. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    There's a limit to what USB will provide. It will not overdraw.
     
    usapatriot, Dec 2, 2009
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  5. BaldwinHillsTrojan

    BaldwinHillsTrojan Notebook Evangelist

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    think about a hair dryer connected to AC. When the p draw is too high the dryer shuts own not your wall socket blowing out of the wall or torching your whole house down like in the movie Backdraft. lol.
     
    BaldwinHillsTrojan, Dec 2, 2009
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