Power Output via USB


  1. Posts : 305
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
       #1

    Power Output via USB


    Forgive me if this is posted in the wrong forum. I was trying to figure out which was most appropriate.

    I have a Dell Precision 3520 that I use at work. I'm a physician who uses Nuance Dragon Medical Practice Edition to dictate the history portion of my note. I use a Philips SMP4000 SpeechMike Premium Air microphone, which I love. It has a cradle that also acts as a wireless transmitter for the microphone.

    The cradle will work with the USB-to-computer connected, but it only trickle charges the microphone. Philips recommends that the additional micro USB port be connected to a 5V power supply to power the cradle and allow for quicker charging.

    My laptop has a pass-through USB charge port, but I'm unsure of the voltage of it.

    Will it hurt the laptop if I hook the 5V cradle port to the pass-through USB port on my laptop? In other words, if it puts out less than 5V, will it damage the laptop from the cradle trying to pull more voltage than what the laptop is capable of? If it won't damage the laptop and will only put out 2V, I can live with the slower charging (but would likely still be quicker than the charge from the data USB port being the only one connected).
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,099
    Win 10 pro Upgraded from 8.1
       #2

    Yes your computer will output 5V no problem, however, what matters is how many amps it outputs. Read the Power and charging spec section USB 3.0 - Wikipedia. With an AC adapter charger, you can charge up to 2.0 Amp.

    You could connect to the charging port and see if your mike keeps up or not. If you need to remain AC free you could use a portable battery Keep one handy if you need a quick catch up charge.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 305
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #3

    The microphone actually works with it connected to the data port only, but Philips states it was never designed to work like this and they make it sound like it's going to damage the cradle or my computer. I don't need super speedy charging that would require 2.0 A. Curious what the output would be... will have to Google it.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 809
    Win10
       #4

    What exactly do you mean by "pass-through USB port?" Are you referring to the PowerShare port?

    Standard USB output is 500mA at 5V. The voltage can go higher on USB-PD-capable ports and devices but this only applies to type-C ports, not type-A and type-B like you're using here.

    The USB battery charging spec defines ways for a data port (like on your laptop) to negotiate more current than 500mA but it's unclear whether the laptop or the cradle actually adhere to that spec.

    The laptop is supposed to limit the USB current output so that even if you connect a non-compliant device, you won't damage the port. It's up to you whether you want to test this, though I'd presume Dell wouldn't skimp on the protection on their workstation laptops. Windows will also pop up a message if the device tries to pull too much power.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,099
    Win 10 pro Upgraded from 8.1
       #5

    Your manual should tell you what the charger port is putting out. If Philips is telling you, that you need secondary charging I would use it. I believe they are telling you their device requirements exceed what your computer output is capable of. If that is true I would have thought that they would have supplied the AC adapter Charger with the correct out put for their device?
    My Asus G752 has a charging port but its Amp output is the same as the other ports but it stays hot when the computer is turned off.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 305
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    They did supply a charger. I was trying to use less power adapters at work because electrical outlets are limited due to other devices. I basically have one plug available where I sit, and I was trying to keep from lugging around an electrical extension cord or power strip.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #7

    Hi there
    Probably the best thing is if you need to charge your microphone (does it have an internal battery) is to use a standard mobile phone charger -- these should work -- but if you have the latest samsungs they have the new USB connector (same on both sides so no more fiddling around with which way to insert the connector). However these samsungs also come with an adapter so you can connect normal USB2/3 devices.

    Why not though just get standard webcam with built in mike -- you can switch off video if not required -- these things work really well, self powered from the computer and are very cheap.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15,444
    Windows10
       #8

    PolarNettles said:
    What exactly do you mean by "pass-through USB port?" Are you referring to the PowerShare port?

    Standard USB output is 500mA at 5V. The voltage can go higher on USB-PD-capable ports and devices but this only applies to type-C ports, not type-A and type-B like you're using here.

    The USB battery charging spec defines ways for a data port (like on your laptop) to negotiate more current than 500mA but it's unclear whether the laptop or the cradle actually adhere to that spec.

    The laptop is supposed to limit the USB current output so that even if you connect a non-compliant device, you won't damage the port. It's up to you whether you want to test this, though I'd presume Dell wouldn't skimp on the protection on their workstation laptops. Windows will also pop up a message if the device tries to pull too much power.
    USB3 ports output 0.8-0.9A. I always my connect my phone to usb3 port.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 305
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    A webcam does not produce the sound quality necessary to dictate in a noisy emergency department.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 809
    Win10
       #10

    cereberus said:
    USB3 ports output 0.8-0.9A. I always my connect my phone to usb3 port.
    Most phones follow the USB Battery Charging spec to negotiate a higher current since they are the reason the spec was defined in the first place. I'm just not so sure if a microphone would necessarily do the same.
      My Computer


 

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