windows - Ten external hard drives through a USB hub
2013-08
I have bought a 10 port USB Hub with power, and attached that to one port at the back of my PC. Connected to the hub are ten external hard drives.
Is this set-up safe, or can it do damage to my motherboard?
It's safe. I'd give you a more detailed answer, but I don't know what hazard you're imagining, so it's hard to know what else to say.
It is completely safe. The only thing: The hub MUST have separate power supply, because it will need a lot of power!
What is the most useful USB hub that you have had experience with.
I have a Seagate FreeAgent Go that is powered by USB and I want to get a USB hub that is able to provide me with more USB ports and can power my harddrive.
USB hubs are so generic these days. It doesn't really matter much which ones you get from my experience.
Just make sure that it gets power from an external source (wall plug).
This is the one I ended up getting
What makes a quality USB Hub to power external hardware? Based on my internet research it is:
- A quality enclosure preferably made of metal for durability;
- Quality parts that can stand up to frequent insertions and pull outs of USB plugs;
- Powered by an external transformer that can provide the current (amps) required for the equipment you want to attach to each USB port (e.g., for 4 standard USB ports you could potentially need 4 X 0.5 amps = 2.0 amps);
- Sufficient power to support current requirements for the quantity of ports that you plan to use simultaneously
- A lifetime guarantee for the product.
Here is a link to one quality USB hub that can satisfy some of the requirements.