Hardware: Powering the Pi

Powering the Pi

Operation from 5VDC

1. Micro USB

This is the safest way to power the system. There is a poly fuse on the Pi to protect the Pi.

2. TTL/USB conversion cable.

This is hand for testing and development as the system can be powered from the USB port of another computer. Plug the cable into H4 on the interface board in this order: Red, White, Green, Black.

The Pi, scale. and other sensors can be powered several ways :

1. With a USB Type A Male to USB Micro B Male cable plugged into the power connector on the Pi.
   1. This is the preferred method as the pico fuse on the Pi board is used.
   2. The other end of the Micro USB cable can be plugged into a USB power supply like a cell phone charger, a powered USB hub, or a USB port on a computer.
2. Through the USB console cable
   1. This is convenient for testing but the pico fuse is bypassed.
3. Back feed through the Pi's USB port with a special USB Type A Male to USB Type A Male cable.
   1. The pico fuse is bypassed.
   2. This cable violates and defeats the USB standard.
   3. The USB Type A to Type A cable is dangerous to have around. Do not use it to connect two powered devices, such as two laptops, together.

Warning:  It is important to only use one power source at a time.  
 For example, do not power the Pi through the Micro USB power connector from one power supply
 and through the USB console cable from another power supply.  The two power supplies may fight 
 each other and burn up!