Powering device from Sky USB

[Deleted User]

I understand that it is acceptable to charge mobile phones from the external USB sockets on a Sky box?
What about something else that only consumes a small current - such as an LED temperature gauge/clock
Is there going to be any inbuilt over current protection in the box if something goes wrong, or am I likely to blow internal circuits?
Does the socket remain powered 24/7 or does it switch off when the box is on standby? 

Neil_Jones

USB spec is a maximum 5v draw with 0.5a.  On the Sky+HD boxes the USB port doesn't actually do anything, its been "reserved for future use" ever since the platform was launched.  No functionality assigned to it on Sky Q either.  Probably safe to assume its powered when the box is in standby, since most of the Sky functionality only works in standby/on mode.

[Deleted User]

Neil_Jones said:

USB spec is a maximum 5v draw with 0.5a.  On the Sky+HD boxes the USB port doesn't actually do anything, its been "reserved for future use" ever since the platform was launched.  No functionality assigned to it on Sky Q either.  Probably safe to assume its powered when the box is in standby, since most of the Sky functionality only works in standby/on mode.

"future use" What could that mean? 

Neil_Jones

Well considering Sky+HD has been around since 2006 and the port is still not used for anything from a consumer point of view, its plausible it was an aid for manufacturing to load the software.

Username03725

Deleted_User said:
"future use" What could that mean? 

Anything. It just means it's in place, it's connected to the main board but as yet the software doesn't make use of it but may do at some point if the future if any perceived need arises. In the meantime it's sitting there doing nothing.

It's easy to check if it's on all the time or not - just plug a USB device in and see what happens when you put the box into standby. 

arciere

USB ports on those boxes are usually reserved to devices that don't need much power (like thumb drives). There's really no harm in trying to connect a device to it, but if you try to charge a smartphone from there, it will take ages (and it's likely that if it's on it won't be able to stay on and charge at the same time).