Plugable USB 3.0 and USB-C 7-Port Charging Hub

While all USB ports provide some amount of power for attached devices, the available power may not be enough for certain high-current devices such as USB hubs or external hard drives. High-current devices usually come with their own power adapter, making them self-powered, in contrast to a bus-powered device that draws all of its power from the host computer's USB interface. Bus-powered devices can cause issues if they need more power than is available from the host machine.

Many of our devices that include power adapters, especially USB hubs, will function in either self-powered or bus-powered mode. However, even though the device may function, each additional device attached to the host computer reduces the total available bus power. If the power runs out, any USB device attached to the computer may suddenly disconnect. If this were to happen to a USB storage device, such an event could result in permanent data loss.

If a device comes with a power adapter, we recommend that the adapter stay connected at all times, otherwise the device may not function as designed.

Self-powered USB device - A device that takes all of its power from an external power supply

Bus-powered USB device - A device that takes all of its power from the host computer's USB interface.

Apple device charging behavior varies according to both the size of the device and whether it has a “Lightning” or “30 pin” connector.

Newer Apple devices with the “Lightning” connector, when attached to the BC 1.2 Standard compliant Flip-Up ports without a host computer, can charge at up to 1.5 Amps.

Older “30 pin” iPads will only charge when the iPad is turned off. When turned on, these older iPads will report “Not Charging”. 30 pin iPods, iPads or iPhones will charge only at the standard 500mA rate.

Because the Raspberry Pi is a USB 2.0 device and can’t take advantage of USB 3.0 functionality as well as mixed results from users, we do not recommend this hub for use with the Raspberry Pi. The hub we do recommend is our 7 port USB 2.0 hub.

Most USB receivers for wireless mice and keyboards operate in the 2.4Ghz band. When connecting the receiver to any USB 3.0 port there is potential for interference that can affect the devices performance. The most effective method is to add a short USB 2.0 extension cable between the hub and the receiver to mitigate the effect, and many wireless keyboards and mice come with such a cable for this reason.

Hard Drive Updates:

1. Check for and update external hard drive firmware if available.
2. For Intel based Macs, perform an SMC and PRAM/NVRAM reset SMC.:
   • Perform an SMC reset: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295  
   • Perform an NVRAM/PRAM reset: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063 
3. Disable Power Nap on Mac (in power settings, disable for when connected to AC power and battery if the customer uses the hub while also on battery power).
4. If possible, test the USB hub and hard drives with a Windows PC to see if the issue persists there as well.

If this issue persists, if possible we have a tool that automates collecting a set of log files from your system. You can download the PlugDebug tool and learn how to use it by clicking on this link:

plugable.com/plugdebug

Ensure that you have the USB Hub connected to the computer when the PlugDebug application is run. Then send us a copy of the log files to Support@Plugable.com

If your USB Hub is having issues with some USB ports not connecting to the host computer, there are a few steps that you should try to resolve this issue.

Full power cycle reset:

1. Disconnect the power supply, USB Host cable, and all devices from the USB Hub.
2. Leave the USB Hub disconnected for 30-60 seconds.
3. Reconnect the USB Hub’s power first.
4. Connect the USB into the host, then plug USB devices back into the hub.

If this issue persists, if possible we have a tool that automates collecting a set of log files from your system. You can go here download the PlugDebug tool and learn how to use it.

Ensure that you have the USB Hub connected to the computer when the PlugDebug application is run. Then send us a copy of the log files to support@plugable.com

Unfortunately Plugable products do not support the Apple SuperDrive.

The Apple SuperDrive has stringent power requirements that can only be met by directly connecting the SuperDrive to your host laptop. As a result at this time Apple recommends only using their USB-C adapter cables. You can find more information on that here → How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive

If you have purchased a Plugable product to use with your Apple SuperDrive, and would like some additional assistance please do not hesitate to reach out. You can do so by emailing support@plugable.com, or going to Plugable.com/Support.

It's not uncommon for users to notice a certain level of heat generation from electronics and by extension, Plugable products during operation. In this knowledge base article, we'll explore the reasons behind this heat generation and why it is considered a normal experience within reasonable limits.

Electronics, by their nature, generate heat during operation. This is primarily a result of the electrical current flowing through various components, such as integrated circuits, transistors, and other electronic elements. As Plugable products are designed to efficiently process and transfer data (among other functionality), some level of heat generation is inherent.

Factors Influencing Heat Generation:

1. Power Consumption: The power consumption of a device directly influences the amount of heat it generates. Higher power usage, especially during data transfer or charging processes, can lead to increased heat.
2. Enclosure Design: The design of the product's enclosure and its ability to dissipate heat play a crucial role. Adequate ventilation and heat sinks are often incorporated to manage and disperse generated heat effectively. This is evident in our TBT3-UDZ and TBT4-UDZ designs. The metal case in these docks are designed to function as a heatsink with thermal pads placed throughout the enclosure. This allows heat dissipation from inside to the outside, but will also make it feel as if the device is “too hot”. 
3. Ambient Temperature: The external environment may also play a role. Higher ambient temperatures can contribute to increased perceived heat from the product. This means that summer temperatures may increase the heat generation of not just Plugable products, but many other electronic devices.

Normal Heat Levels: While it is normal for electronic devices to generate heat, Plugable products are engineered to operate within safe temperature ranges. We conduct rigorous testing to ensure that the heat generated during normal operation falls within industry-standard safety parameters. While not all products are or need to be UL certified, we try to go by UL guidelines for thermal readings. The UL threshold is 77C/170.6F, and we aim for around 71C/160F.

Tips for Users:

1. Ventilation: Ensure that Plugable products have sufficient ventilation around them. Avoid placing them in enclosed spaces where heat dissipation may be impeded.
2. Usage Patterns: Intensive tasks such as high-speed data transfer or charging multiple devices simultaneously may result in increased heat generation. This is generally normal but may be more noticeable in such scenarios.
3. Accessories: A number of our devices will allow for the connection of USB accessories and as such, these will require power. If too many “power-hungry” devices are connected, this will cause the device to run much hotter than expected. Be sure to keep in mind the power limits of your dock/device.

In conclusion, experiencing heat from Plugable products is a normal aspect of their operation. Users can rest assured that we prioritize the safety and efficiency of our devices. By understanding the factors influencing heat generation and following simple usage guidelines, users can make the most of their Plugable products while ensuring a reliable and efficient user experience.

Plugable recommends and supports using only the external power adapter originally included in the box with a Plugable product to power the device.

Plugable does NOT recommend or support using any type of alternate or 3rd-party power adapters in conjunction with our products that originally included a power adapter in the box.

This is because 3rd-party power adapters may not work as expected, and in some cases can potentially cause damage to the Plugable product.

Should you require a replacement for an original Plugable provided power adapter, Plugable offers a multitude of power adapters for purchase separately → LINK

Please also note, this provision does NOT apply to Plugable products that do NOT originally include a power adapter in the box with the product.

For example, the PS-10CC → LINK does not include a power adapter in the box with the product. The intention with the PS-10CC (and other similar products like the USBC-9IN1E → LINK) is to use a USB Type-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery that you already have in conjunction with the product. 

This works because USB Power Delivery is an industry standard. Products that support USB Power Delivery are intended to work with a variety of different USB Type-C power adapters that support the USB Power Delivery standard. 
 

Many users assume that USB-C devices can work with older Thunderbolt 2 Macs if they use a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, such as the one made by Apple. However, this is not the case. These adapters are specifically designed to support Thunderbolt devices only - not standard USB-C peripherals.

While Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C share the same connector type, they use different underlying data protocols. Non-Thunderbolt USB-C devices, rely on USB standards for data and power. The Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter does not carry USB signals; it only passes Thunderbolt data. Because of this, plugging a USB-C device into a Thunderbolt 2 Mac using this adapter will not work - the computer will not detect or communicate with the device.

If you need to connect peripherals to a Thunderbolt 2 system, we recommend using a USB-A dock or hub (if available on your system). This ensures compatibility without relying on unsupported adapter chains.

In short, even though the connectors may fit, USB-C devices are not compatible with Thunderbolt 2 Macs via Thunderbolt adapters - only Thunderbolt devices will work in that setup.

Improved Voltage Regulation Under Load

When multiple USB devices are connected - especially high-draw peripherals like external drives or charging phones - the demand on the dock’s internal power can spike. If the power supply were delivering only 5V, any load increase might cause voltage “sag,” potentially leading to unstable or unreliable performance.

By starting with a higher voltage like 12V or 20V, the internal voltage regulators within the dock or hub can more reliably and efficiently step down that voltage to a consistent 5V, even under heavy load. It’s similar to having a reservoir above a village - you’ll have more reliable water pressure regardless of demand.

Greater Power Efficiency Over Distance

Transmitting power at higher voltage and lower current reduces energy loss due to resistance in the wires (which causes heat). By increasing the voltage we can decrease the amperage for the same power, and power loss in the line is directly proportional to amperage squared so even a small decrease in the amperage adds up quickly. Once the power reaches the dock, it's stepped down to the voltages needed for USB ports. This not only enhances efficiency but also makes compact, cooler-running designs possible.

Special Consideration for USB-C Docks

USB-C docks commonly include 20V power supplies, which serve a dual purpose:

• Supplying 5V for downstream USB devices
• Delivering up to 100W (or more) to host laptops via USB-C Power Delivery

With USB Power Delivery 3.1 (EPR), even higher voltages (up to 48V) are supported, enabling future docks and laptops to handle even more powerful devices like desktop replacement laptops or external GPUs.

Will Future Docks Use 48V Power Supplies?

It's likely. While 20V is common now (especially for consumer devices), 24V+ power supplies are widespread in industrial and telecom applications. As high-performance laptops and workstations demand more power, consumer docks may start including 24V, 36V, or even 48V adapters. These would align with USB PD 3.1 specs and simplify designs that support extended power ranges.

However, for now, 20V remains a sweet spot for cost, availability, and compatibility across a wide range of devices.

TL;DR

Higher voltages like 12V or 20V are used for better regulation and more efficient power delivery.

USB-C docks use 20V to support Power Delivery charging (up to 100W+).

USB PD 3.1 EPR opens the door to 48V systems, and while uncommon now, future docking stations may shift to 48V as demand grows.