I've just acquired a USB 2.0 to TTL UART 6PIN CP2102 Module Serial Converter and wanted to check if there's anything I need to do to ensure I don't damage my PC.
I intend to use the power output from the converter to power my device.
Which is basically an Atmega chip, a couple of shift registers, an LED 7 Segment display, a few LEDs and a Micro Servo. Is that a Good Idea?
Could I damage something if I try and draw too much current? How do I check?
Can link to the specific device if it helps.. don't want my first post to be a product link!
Usually USB-ports are protected against over-current draw, but don't count on it.
The only thing i think could be a problem is the servo - in practice i have run small servos from USB-supply with no problems.
I am using Apple-computers and on those i get a dialog up on the screen when i draw too much current or directly short the supply - nothing breaks. I've only seen permanently broken USB-ports on early computers with USB-ports - modern computers employ polyfuses on the ports. In some cases re-plugging the device enables the port again, and in some rare cases you need to restart the computer.
JeffSergeant:
Which is basically an Atmega chip, a couple of shift registers, an LED 7 Segment display, a few LEDs and a Micro Servo. Is that a Good Idea?
All sounds fine except the servo. A servo can draw a lot of current in bursts.
JeffSergeant:
Could I damage something if I try and draw too much current?
Most PC's have decent protection but some don't. Most desktops let you pull more current then laptops. So a desktop will probably drive one servo just fine but there is no guarantee.
JeffSergeant:
How do I check?
Measure the current. And to get closer to the peak current of the servo, measure it will stalling the servo (or at least give it a decent load).
But for the servo it's probably better to get an external supply. Simplest supply for that, a USB charger.
JeffSergeant:
Can link to the specific device if it helps..
Of course it helps!
JeffSergeant:
don't want my first post to be a product link!
That's one of the devices you use, what about the rest? That's just a usb-serial interface. The 5V on that comes just straight from the USB port. The chip does absolutely nothing with it. It's a different story for the 3,3V thou.
Most spam posts are not long. Or implement captcha, email validation etc.
That's just a usb-serial interface. The 5V on that comes just straight from the USB port. The chip does absolutely nothing with it. It's a different story for the 3,3V thou.