FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions - Knowledge Base
[SK-2500] Can I use my device with bus power alone?
This will depend on the model, the hard drive, the interface cable and the host computer. Bus power is supported with 6-pin and 9-pin FireWire cables as well as USB 3.0 as long as the host provides sufficient power.
For other interfaces, we recommend using a drive with low power consumption, a short cable, avoid using any kind of extensions or unpowered hubs and making sure the host provides enough power to use bus power only. If insufficient, an external power supply is required.