Using multiple USB hubs

[danny klim]

Hi I am in the process of expanding my studio and want to make sure that it won’t cause any computer problems or electrical hazards. Could you please help?

I already have two 14 port USB hubs and now I want to add one more USB hubs so that I can use more ports for midi controllers and webcams. I am wondering if there would be any issue to use 3 USB hubs simultaneously. My mac has 4 USB slots, so i could have all three plugged into the mac at once, but want to make sure that i don’t make any harmful mistake and that theres no risk of damaging the computer, devices, usb hubs, or causing any electrical/fire hazards by using 3 hubs at one time.

This is the USB Hub that I use for all the hubs: https://www.amazon.com/Anker-14-Por...8&qid=1500746129&sr=8-1&keywords=anker+hub+13

I have an iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015) with the latest OS.

So is this a bad idea for any reason? Or is it safe to use all three?


Thanks, Dan

 

[kschendel]

That's a powered hub, so as far as I know you would be fine.

Loading up the computer with unpowered hubs is supposed to be fine as well, assuming all of the various parts play by the rules, but IMHO it's a little more of a gamble and you might be limited by the total USB power the computer can supply. With powered hubs it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[user1234]

No problem. As long as the hubs are powered it'll be fine. There's a theoretical limit of 127 devices in total, and each hub counts as one. You're probably going to have latency issues before you get to 127 though

You should be fine