Will I need external power? How to calculate it?

I bought an arduino mega, just started with a few leds and toggle switches but i'm planning to use all the available ports with different components, once I get enough skill.

My doubts are, how to know if the USB is able to provide enough power for my current setup?

And more important, what could happen at worst?
The USB port may get damage I guess, but also the board and the components connected there?

Thanks in advance.

generally speaking, you'll need external power to power stuffs that requires more than 5V, I can say motor or light bulbs and heaps other things.

What happen if you didn't feed enough power? Well, the targeted thing just won't run. Don't think it'll damage your Arduino though.

I think a USB port device is limited to 0.5 A at 5 VDC.

Bob Weber

Rookie2:
My doubts are, how to know if the USB is able to provide enough power for my current setup?

You need to know in advance what the voltage and current requirements are for anything you connect to the Arduino, and ensure it is compatible with what you're connecting it to. While you are unlikely to damage the USB itself, it is very easy to damage the Arduino output pins by connecting something that draws too much current from it.

generally speaking, you'll need external power to power stuffs that requires more than 5V, I can say motor or light bulbs and heaps other things.

What happen if you didn't feed enough power? Well, the targeted thing just won't run. Don't think it'll damage your Arduino though

Bad advice - even devices designed to run at 5 volts could damage your Arduino if connected directly to an I/O pin and if they draw too much current.

rweber95:
I think a USB port device is limited to 0.5 A at 5 VDC.

0.5 for USB 2.0 and 0.9 for 3.0

PeterH:
You need to know in advance what the voltage and current requirements are for anything you connect to the Arduino

I guess so, I could also use an Amperemeter connected in series with the +5v line of the USB cable, right?

Rookie2:

rweber95:
I think a USB port device is limited to 0.5 A at 5 VDC.

0.5 for USB 2.0 and 0.9 for 3.0

PeterH:
You need to know in advance what the voltage and current requirements are for anything you connect to the Arduino

Actually the .5amp 5vdc limit is enforced with a on-board 500ma thermofuse on the arduino board, so the limit applies to both USB 1,2, or 3. Note that if you are powering the board via the arduino external power connector then you can draw a little more current then the 500ma USB limit, depending on the actual voltage applied to the external power connector or Vin pin.

Lefty

I guess so, I could also use an Amperemeter connected in series with the +5v line of the USB cable, right?

Ok thank you.

Please help me understanding this:

Lets say I want to connect some simple leds like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100pcs-Purple-5mm-2000mcd-Lamp-Ultra-LED-Free-Shipping-UV-/110980369904?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d6f20df0

specs says: Max Peak Forward Current : 75mA

Does this means that with 6 or 7 leds I would be reaching the limit of the board?
Also the Mega documentation says each port delivers only 40ma so I don't get it.

Rookie2:
Ok thank you.

Please help me understanding this:

Lets say I want to connect some simple leds like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100pcs-Purple-5mm-2000mcd-Lamp-Ultra-LED-Free-Shipping-UV-/110980369904?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d6f20df0

specs says: Max Peak Forward Current : 75mA

Yes but it's the max average forward current that will determine what you run your leds at. 20ma is
the current limit you should use for these leds set by the size of a series current limiting resistor between each output pin and the led.

Does this means that with 6 or 7 leds I would be reaching the limit of the board?
Also the Mega documentation says each port delivers only 40ma so I don't get it.

Each pins has an absolute max 40ma rating, and 30ma pin output current or less is safer value
to run the output pins at. So 7 leds running at 20ma is 140ma total, which is well within the boards +5vdc current capacity and each output pins rating.

The key is it is up to you to manage the total current requirement for the complete project. If driving standard 20ma leds you do that by proper sizing of the current limiting resistors you have to have between the output pins and the leds.
Lefty

Again thanks,

So, according ohm's law and as i'm using 1K resistors..

I = V/R
5/1000 = 0.005

Are my leds using 5ma each?
Am I right?

Rookie2:
Again thanks,

So, according ohm's law and as i'm using 1K resistors..

I = V/R
5/1000 = 0.005

Are my leds using 5ma each?
Am I right?

Almost, you have to factor in the forward voltage drop of the leds you are working with. Your blue leds have a, lets call it a 3.5 Vf rating. So the V to use in your formula is Vcc (+5vdc) - Vf (3.5vdc), So with a 1k ohm resistor the current value will be 1.5ma, which is pretty dim but usable.

If you want to solve for the resistor size that will limit current to 20ma then R= (5-3.5)/.02 = 75 ohms.

That make sense?
Lefty

Rookie2:
I guess so, I could also use an Amperemeter connected in series with the +5v line of the USB cable, right?

Current over the USB interface is not likely to be the limiting factor, and in any case by the time you've measured the actual current it's a bit late to be thinking about whether you've just overloaded something, isn't it?

You need to read and understand the electrical spec of whatever it is that you're planning to connect, to ensure that it will not damage or be damaged by the Arduino.

Thanks a lot Lefty, you really helped me.