Can I power high-current LED strips with EleksMaker Blocky USB Hubs (NK5/NK6)?

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Hi OpenELAB Community,

I’m planning a project where I need to power multiple 5V LED strips. I was considering using the EleksMaker Blocky USB Hub (NK5 or NK6 Series) for this purpose.

My specific questions are:

  1. If I use a high-amperage power supply (e.g., 5V 10A or 20A), can the hub distribute this power effectively?

  2. My LED strips draw about 2A each. Can the individual USB ports on the NK5/NK6 handle this much current?

  3. Is it safe to run 6 of these high-power strips simultaneously through the hub?

Thanks for any advice!

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Hello Bryan, thank you for your interest in the EleksMaker series! This is a very important safety question regarding power distribution.

Here are the clarifications regarding the NK5 and NK6 series:

1. Current Limitations per Port These hubs are designed based on standard USB protocols. Theoretically, the maximum output is 0.9A per port , but in practice, it may be lower depending on the load. They are not designed to handle 2A per port.

2. Usage Recommendation We do not recommend using the NK5/NK6 hubs to power multiple high-current LED strips.

  • Connecting devices that draw 2A each will exceed the hub’s design limits.

  • Overloading the ports can easily cause instability and permanently damage the unit.

3. Intended Use The EleksMaker Blocky series is primarily designed for low-current USB peripherals (such as keyboards, mice, Bluetooth dongles, or small USB gadgets) and data transfer.

4. Project Recommendation For your specific project (powering multiple LED strips drawing ~2A each), we strongly advise using a dedicated Switched-mode power supply (DC regulated) instead of a USB hub. This will ensure the safety of your setup and provide stable power to your lights.

Stay safe with your project!

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