Load Monitoring and Load Monitors Confusions

The other day after I made a couple of Skype calls that led to a very bad garbling of my voicel I thought that I had overloaded the circuits somehow. I got that to go away by disconnecting an old web cam that I had not used with W10.

Background
I have now for my main leg:
Powered USB Hub 3.0, Atolla 7-Port USB Data Hub Splitter with One Smart Charging Port and Individual On/Off Switches and 5V/4A Power Adapter USB Extension for MacBook, Mac Pro/Mini and More.

I plan to add for a second leg:
Powered USB Hub 3.0, atolla USB Hub with 4 USB 3.0 Data Ports and 1 USB Smart Charging Port, USB Splitter with Individual Power Switches and 5V/3A Power Adapter

Atolla mentions elsewhere:
For a stable connection, the devices connected to this USB 3.0 Hub with power adapter must not exceed a combined current of 4A


Problem
So I wondered how does one assess the total amperage across all the connected devices? This thought led me to take a first look at at Load Monitors.


Immediate Quandary
I am lost in the Load Monitors jargon and prices.

Do these devices have the capability for measuring total USB loads on my computer? Check them individually (then add them all up for at total load?

What might be the key specifications for my my application?

Should I look elsewhere?

Any thoughts regarding the topic of Load Monitor and system amperage?

FYI, one example device:
USB C Power Meter Tester, Eversame USB Voltmeter Ammeter Load Tester with Braided USB C to USB C Cable(1.5Ft/50cm) - Test Speed of Charger Cables - PD 2.0/3.0 QC 2.0/3.0/4.0

USB device loads are not constant,peak load is at start-up,then reduces to operating load and every device should have the operating load given in the User manual and on the box.
The motherboard manual should give the maximum supported load and therefore manually adding up all fitted device loads,plus 10%,will tell you if the board is overloaded.
Hubs are not a good idea in that they allow overloading and any system operating constantly at maximum,will fail sooner,rather than later.
The PSU output should also be considered.

Hubs can be useful,if used judiciously.The devices using the mobo usb ports are the determining factor,e.g. a printer/scanner uses it's own power therefore that port is not using mobo power,just data transfer.
The basic rule is if all ports are supplying power,don't use a hub.If a device must be connected,then disconnect one not in use.
The USB hub-wikipedia article is an excellent read for anyone contemplating using a hub,perhaps you could suggest it as a tutorial.

This is very helpful.

It immediately raises the question how to do I determine if a port is supplying power?

My devices are quite straight forward.
Printer; flatbed and sheet-fed scanners: web cam; soon adding a condenser mic; Logictec webcam; standard key board; Kensington Track Ball. I have an HP monitor using HDMI, but I would not think that would be in the mix? I am in the process of adding two more monitors. I am shopping for a solution that will allow me to have one set to portrait and two to Landscape. That solution, if I find it, may involve USB feeds? I am thinking the idea I want to explore is a Matrix switch.

I have used and continue to use the 7-port hub for the constellation of the two scanners and printer. Seems to workout okay. Before I started in this leg of my education I had planned to move it to the bench and use it for keeping the cables tidy and neat. I would replace it with the 4-port version for the printer and scanner leg.

One reason I purchased the 7-port was the switches. Up to this discussion I only turn on the scanners as I need them. I typically leave the printer on all day.

If you could help me sort which is being powered and those that are not it would be most helpful.

BTW. Under this I am curious about the electronics: dating myself, it takes me back to my breadboard and wire-wrap days, and hand building analog and digital computers before the arrival of PC's.

All the usb ports supply power if the device requires it,e.g. a keyboard.Some devices do not need mobo power because they supply their own e.g. a printer.So if the mobo has 5 usb ports,then only 4 are used for power,therefore a hub can be utilised to replace the unused printer port.
My first encounter with a "computer" was the VZ 200 using the Z80 chip,similar to the Sinclair and Commodore.

I think I understand what you re saying Joe. I next need to read the Wikipedia page in detail.

It is a very good article.

"The motherboard manual should give the maximum supported load and therefore manually adding up all fitted device loads,plus 10%,will tell you if the board is overloaded."

I read through the first part of the article this morning. It's a lot for me to digest in one read. Before going back to it I thought I should have a look at the mobo specs. I found them but do know how home in on the needed values. Can you put me onto what I need next? Click on "Lubin for the grit.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05735556


Thanks.

Went to the Lubin section and could only find it had 7 usb slots,which should be plenty.
If there is a total of 7devices All drawing power,then don't use a hub,because 7 powered slots is the maker's safe working load..
The best analogy I can give is plugging in a multi point power board to one of your home circuits and using every outlet on it,without accounting for the other outlets on that circuit being active,e.g. fridge etc.
Been there,done that when I plugged in a carpet shampooer with water heater and tripped the breaker.
Received your message,thank you.