Safe to put a switch on a FireWire Cable?

FatRakoon · 16 Oct 2016 at 16:08

I am purely thinking here ( Dangerous I know ) but I have a Firewire device here, that has no power switch. I also never turn the PC off, unless Im updating or upgrading of course.

I could simply unplug the Firewire cable I know, but that in itself has its own problems, and I was thinking that instead, I could build a switch for it in an ABS box and have a switching Firewire cable instead.

I know the pinouts on the Firewire cable ,and I am using the 6-pin and therefore that means that pin 1 is power and pin 2 is return power and so i may need to use either a single pole or a double pole, depending on if I also need to disconnect pin 2

But is this safe?
Is this even a good idea?

I am not switching between 2 devices or anything, I am only wanting to switch the one device on and off whenever I need it.

I just dont want to risk killing anything before I check it out first.

TheSkateyBird · 17 Oct 2016 at 15:15

Are you using a Firewire add-in card? Most new-ish Firewire cards have hot-plugging features. I have a cheap Startech one that does.

FatRakoon · 17 Oct 2016 at 19:32

Oh no, the card is perfectly fine with simply unplugging it, but this is not THAT easy.

The device is up on the shelf above me, and I am a wheelchair user, and so access is not really an easy thing, and thats why I was asking about a remote switch instead!

If the dewvice had a power button, then that would be half the problem, but it does not... I think this is a stupid flaw, but they had their reasons I suppose?

bru · 18 Oct 2016 at 03:15

Maybe a firewire manual selector which you can find on popular auction sites, not sure if it will do what you need it to do though, could be worth a shout for under £20 though.

FatRakoon · 21 Oct 2016 at 16:10

Hmmm.... Ok yes, I will have a look.

I will admit, but I think most people on here know this already, but I am a complete tool at times, but I know that I can get around this, by using a 4-wire cable and 2 adapters either end, and this will remove the wires for power, but then use a Power adapter to power the device... This would be a great idea yes, but the thing is, that I have a shoot load of devices all crammed under here, and the last thing I need is to add yet more power adapters.... Just a quick check, and I have 2 extentions coming from a douple point in the wall, one extention is a 4-way, the other a 6-way and they are both full, and 3 of them have a double adapter on them, so thats 13 devices are powered from one double socket... Ok, most are low powered devices, but still...

Anyway, ok sure, I will have a look at that, I will be honest, but I am thinking that a pair of firewire sockets and an ASB boxwith a DPDT switch would do the job too.

Lets see what I can find then eh? - Thanks mate.

Biz.Kid09 · 21 Oct 2016 at 19:43

Not sure on putting a switch on a firewire cable, I certainly wouldn't want to do it!

But just going back to the amount of plugs your using, are some USB powered devices? if so, it may be safer to get one of these;
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/anidees-5-port-25w-charger-cm-000-ad.html
or similar ones on other sites, can get like 40w etc.

I have a 8 port one myself and I can charge;
Kindle, iPad, Phone, Go Pro and plenty of other things whilst just using one wall plug.

FatRakoon · 21 Oct 2016 at 20:02

Yeah, I got two actualy... One is directly on the plug and the other is on a telefunken ( figure of 8 type ) cable. Both are 5 port ones, the white cabled one is Fast charge / USB 3 style and the other has 4 normal and one fast charge.

Im trying to work out what the hell is using those plugs, and Im sure that something is up.

I got

2 PCs ( Windows and linux )
Monitor
Speakers
Colour Printer
Mono Lazer
Modem
Router
Switch
3 NAS Boxes
Laptop Charger ( always leave this one plugged in for when I put that onto the desk )
The MS Surface charger
and of course... The Wired USB Charger

Looking at this all, the NAS drivers are soon to be removed, the Modem,Router, and Switch will soon be removed, and the printers can be stuffed elsewhere too as they are both on the network and dont need to be here at all.

But the thing is, that we are looking for a new home soon... I have converted the attic int oa computer room, thats now my music room, and I have extended the house for my LAN, but I am now stuffed in a wheelchair and can no longer go into the attic and so we need to move, and so Im not really all that bothered about messing about with these wired just now... Its not all on at the same time... I think one might be switched off LOL