Powering usb device seperately

Thread Starter

john2k

Joined Nov 14, 2019
219
I have a usb device. And as standard the usb device gets 5V power from the device it connects to. If I was to splice the wire of the usb device, could I provide the 5V power to the usb device externally instead of from my device? If so how do I determine which cables to cut off and route to a seperate usb charger?
 

Alec_t

Joined Sep 17, 2013
14,280
It depends on your mystery device, but generally cutting cables off is not a good idea. Many USB-enabled devices use the data lines to negotiate the current supplied by the 5V source.
 

KeithWalker

Joined Jul 10, 2017
3,063
If you want to operate your USB powered device independently, You can modify a USB cable. Cut off the connector that would normally go to the 5V source. You will see four conductors and some screening in the cable. The red and black wires are for the power. You can connect them to any 5VDC source that will supply enough current to power your device.
USB.jpg
Regards,
Keith
 
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