Will a 5v USB passthrough fry my computer?

[Irons]

Hello I need some help with this please. I have a 5v usb passthrough (madvapes) and it works great plugged into my laptop or my main deskbound computer at home.
I have read in a few places, mainly passthrough reviews on vendor sites that it may damage your computer.
Does anybody have experience with this or know why they would do that?
I have less than 1 year old modern HP computers so I would really hate to damage one by innocently blowing vape rings. Any explanations would be greatly appreciated! Irons

 

[SimpleSins]

I can't speak as to the hows and whys, but it has happened, although I think the instances of it have turned into the stuff of an urban legend...you know, my hairdresser's cousin's brother's butcher's neighbor's wife's aunt type of thing. I think it was more of a problem with older computers than newer. I believe it's happened more to older than newer laptops. That being said, though, my laptop is my work, and rather than take any changes, I have the adapter that Madvapes sells (2A/USB) that I use for my 5V vaping when I'm at home or around an electrical outlet; why tempt the fates unnecessarily? I would also, though, still plug my passthrough into my laptop if I wanted my 5V and I was away from my outlet.

 

[RedAlert]

Should it: no, can it: yes. Do like SimpleSins says and get the 2amp usb/ac wall outlet adapter and if needed a USB extension cable. Both available from MadVapes for under $12 total.

 

[sgtdisturbed47]

USB 2.0 power runs at 500ma max (half an amp), at 5v. Many devices max out that power rating, including chargers, external HDD's, external ODD's, and I believe the Sound Blaster external sound card even draws a bunch of power through the USB port.

Many devices draw power from USB as well as use it for its data transfer bus, but very rarely are there power problems associated with USB power. You're more likely to have a USB wall charger short out than a USB port on your laptop or desktop. Those wall chargers can be built pretty crappy (poor soldering connections) that eventually break down and short out. I've had a few short out over the years, but never have I had a problem with USB power shorting out or causing problems (8 years of PC building and repairs). USB also has a good ground connection, so even IF shorting did happen, it shouldn't harm anything else.

Just keep your USB port clean and dust-free and you should never have an issue.