Weird HDD usb cable question..

[ramses2005]

Hello, I wanted to ask a weird question upon USB cables thatt power HDD external drives. Is it possible that some cables work and other don't, since they are both USB and should have the same voltage, amps, etc..??

I am finding out when connecting my HDD that if I use other cables that are alike, instead of a really short one that I have, it is powered well. I mean, it disconnects randomly to what I think is a power failure. But with the short cable it works perfectly for hours. Is it possible that this cable provides better power for my device?

 

[Slydude]

One thing that could be in play is length of the cable. Theoretically the shorter cable should produce less resistance and thus less power loss. If the drive is on the verge of taking almost all the power that port produces the increased resistance could be the "straw that broke the camel's back" so to speak.

the random disconnects you're experiencing are one of the reasons I generally try to do either of the following:
1. Avoid bus powered drives when possible in favor of drives that have their own electrical power supply, or
2. Plug the drive into a USB hub that has its own electrical power.