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ES 4 and ES 2: How to properly power your bus-powered Quantum interface

Article Updated: June 26, 2024

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For Reference purposes, the Quantum ES2/ES4 user manual (page 8) states: 

Auxiliary Power Connector (USB-C) – When the device you are connected to does not provide enough power via USB-C, auxiliary power is required using an additional power cable (not included). 

For the ES 4, a USB-C to USB-C cable and corresponding USB-C, 5VDC 2.6A 9W wall plug / external battery is required for auxiliary power. 

For the ES 2, a USB-C to USB-C cable and corresponding USB-C, 5VDC 1.8A 13W wall plug / external battery is required for auxiliary power. 

USB-A to USB-C cables or adapters will not provide adequate power for either interface. 

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Bus Power

To power your Quantum ES 4 or Quantum ES 2, it is recommended to use the supplied USB C-to-C cable. With this cable, connect it from a USB-C port on your host machine to the USB port on your Quantum ES.

These USB C-to-C cables are rated to deliver the power necessary to the Quantum ES series from USB-C ports. USB A-to-C cables are not able to deliver the power necessary for your interface. 

If your host machine does not have a USB-C port, you can plug a USB A-to-C cable into the USB port on your Quantum ES, but a USB C-to-C cable must be plugged into the Aux port of the Quantum ES.

This USB C-to-C cable must then be connected to an alternate power source such as a USB-C power adapter or a battery power bank. These alternate power sources must also have USB-C ports and must be rated to deliver 3.0+ amps and at least 15W or more of power. 

Aux Power Adapter

Also referred to as: USB-C Wall Charger, Power Brick. 

Pictured below are examples of USB power chargers that can be obtained almost anywhere. These were purchased at Five Below here in Baton Rouge. You can find similar power adapters at retail stores and online worldwide. As these may differ by brand depending on which country you may live in, just be sure to obtain a power adapter providing 13W or more of power over the USB-C connector will be sufficient. 

If you're looking for a commercial brand name for us to recommend, we recommend the Anker 511 Charger which provides up to 30W of power or the Anchor 312 Charger which provides up to 25W of power. 

More power will not gain you a better experience, the Quantum ES will only draw what it needs from the adapter, see page 8 in the manual. 

USB-C_Power_Brick_Examples.JPG

Note the power is 5VDC @ 3.1A ~ 15.5W

(Voltage multiplied by Current gives you power rating in Watts)

Make sure to only use USB-C to USB-C Cables with these adapters, using a USB-A to USB-C cable will not work, see the chart below. The USB-A port in the picture has been crossed out to denote this behavior. 

USB Power Adapters typically do not come with the USB-C cable already attached. Some computer power supplies like those for the Google ChromeBook (45W) do come with cables attached, and yes that works for Quantum ES 2 / ES4. 

The longest cable you can attach according to the USB standard for USB-C cables is 4 meters. We recommend shorter cables for best experience. Not all USB-C cables are the same and quality differs based on which cable you get. 

Power Banks

The same power requirements for Power Adapters applies to Power Banks (or Battery Packs). Power Banks that we have tested include the Anker 533 model. When this model from this company is no longer available, another one will certainly take its place, check to make sure your getting a power bank providing more than 13W of power over the USB-C connector.

NOTE:  

Some Power Banks claiming they are USB-C compatible providing only USB-A Ports and come with A-to-C cables, the verbiage on the box will say something like "USB-C Charging Cable Included" which will not work for the Quantum, the Battery Pack must have a USB-C port to connect to. 

Refer to the grid below for a detailed breakdown of possible power scenarios:

 

Power Source

USB Port on Quantum ES

Aux Port on Quantum ES

Result

Computer

USB-C to USB-A

Empty

Insufficient Power

Computer

USB-C to USB-A

USB-C to USB-A

Insufficient Power

Computer

USB-C to USB-A

USB-C to USB-C

Sufficient Power

Computer

USB-C to USB-C

Empty

Sufficient Power

Power Adapter

Empty

USB-C to USB-C

Sufficient Power

Power Adapter

Empty

USB-C to USB-A

Insufficient Power

Power Adapter

USB-C to USB-A

USB-C to USB-A

Insufficient Power

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