Does A Usb Port Supply Dc-12v Power?

I just bought a USB drive adapter.

It was cheap, but the ad made it look like it included a DC-12V power supply, and it actually doesn’t.

I can buy a power supply cheap, but it’s unclear what kind of connector it should have to plug into this drive adapter. The adapter’s power supply port looks like it’s for a Nokia 3.5, a Nokia 2.0, or a PSP connector.

I could get a 10-in-1 USB charging cable, also cheap, which has all 3 of those kinds of connectors, but the power source end of it plugs into a USB port, not a wall outlet.

So can I use a 10-in-1 USB charging cable plugged into a USB port as a DC-12V power supply?

 

Never mind. A USB port puts out DC-5V, that’s all.

 

Is it a drive enclosure with USB? 2.5"??

 

I think you are confused as you are talking two different things: input voltage and output voltage.

The USB drive adapter may very well require 12V "input" voltage. I note most hard drive motors require 12V to spin up. But that has nothing to do with "output" voltage of the USB port - which is 5V.

If that drive adapter supports an external power supply, you MUST go by the documentation to determine which supply to get. You cannot go by looks alone. Not only must the plug be exactly the same and the voltage must be correct, the polarity of the connector MUST be wired the same too. Otherwise, it could be like connecting the battery in your car backwards and sparks may fly and damage may occur.

Also, any adapter must have a large enough current capability for the expected demands.

So you need to look on the adapter's web page for instructions, or on any documentation that came with the device.

It is common (though not mandatory) for devices to be labeled showing their voltage and current requirements. If lucky it will even have a little image showing the connector style and the wiring polarity. For example, something like this that shows a round connector with the positive (+) wire connected to the center pin, and negative (-) to the outer shield. All power supplies sold in the US, Canada, UK and EU countries are supposed to be labeled with such an illustration that shows polarity, voltage and current. So if no documentation on the website or that came with the device, you may be able to visually inspect and see what you need. Just don't guess.