Issues with USB port: Did FAS just forget the USB isolator?

TheRedDevil said:
I still think there is an issue with the FAS devices because of the number of damaged USB ports. Possibly just because such isolator is missing and the computer USB interfaces is not working as it should. I just want to prevent to get a real issue in future.
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But no device that I am aware of has these optical isolator things built in. So that would then be a problem for EVERY USB device. I'm just not convinced there's a problem.
 
yek said:
You worry too much.
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The price for my rig was too high not to be worried about.

zerolight said:
But no device that I am aware of has these optical isolator things built in. So that would then be a problem for EVERY USB device. I'm just not convinced there's a problem.
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How can you be sure about that? Do you open up every device? Possibly this (cheap) chip for USB2.0 (not USB1.0) is not available on the market for very long. Who knows. We need specialists for such a topic to answer such questions.

Edit: Published: 2022-06-01 @ mouser, datasheet first version 02-2022, well it's new
 
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TheRedDevil said:
"USB has a flaw in its design in that it causes a ground loop because both ends are grounded. You can use a USB Isolator to break the ground loop. (...) "Disconnecting the ground is dangerous. While it can solve noise due to a ground loop it increases the risk of an overvoltage on the Vbus and data pins which can damage the USB controllers (this is why the spec calls for ground at both ends). The correct way to solve a USB ground loop is to make sure the peripheral and PC are plugged into the same power strip. Keep all power cables bundled close together as possible."
https://wiki.fractalaudio.com/wiki/index.php?title=USB#USB_ground_loop

I always use the same power strip. Well, I would say that means, USB isolator it a must to be really safe.
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That quote is about USB ground loops.

His comment is to use an isolator to prevent ground loops (if you encounter them).

His comment about damage is relative to removing the ground (to try resolving the ground loop).
 
TheRedDevil said:
How can you be sure about that? Do you open up every device? Possibly this (cheap) chip for USB2.0 (not USB1.0) is not available on the market for very long. Who knows. We need specialists for such a topic to answer such questions.

Edit: Published: 2022-06-01 @ mouser, datasheet first version 02-2022, well it's new
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The vast majority of USB devices also need power over USB which these optical isolators negate by design. You'll also have noted in the articles you linked that the isolators are not compatible with everything either, and reduce the bandwidth available over USB.

It's certainly an interesting device you linked, but there's no evidence that these are common place built into USB devices. Not only that, but they are so uncommon that the easiest place to find them is unknown manufacturers on AliExpress. If the problem was widespread and these things were necessary, you would see them from mainstream manufacturers, and you would find them listed on the spec sheets as being incorporated in devices, audio interfaces, USB sticks, games consoles, TVs, etc.

Connecting some weird little no-name device bought on Ali Express into 2k worth of Fractal gear probably stands as much chance of damaging it as protecting it. If your argument is that their inclusion is widespread and Fractal simply forgot, that seems outlandish. At best it does no harm, or even does protect against a USB power surge, at worst it carries some risk of causing damage itself. You'll never know either, you could use your Fractal for the next 10 years with or without and see no damage, or have it die tomorrow in a twist of bad luck, and neither will prove the effectiveness of the device.

I used my FM3 for two years before the USB port died as the controller burned out. I used the repaired one for longer, with the same USB cable and it was just fine. Freak bad luck on the first one remains my conclusion. The fact that I had USB drop outs with that same cable and my new Axe3 suggests that maybe the cable had some impact on the death of the first one, but we will never know.
 
:tearsofjoy::tearsofjoy::tearsofjoy:

datasheet first version 02-2022,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_Devices

Founded1965; 60 years ago in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.

Analog Devices is headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, with regional headquarterslocated in Shanghai, China; Munich, Germany; Limerick, Ireland; and Tokyo, Japan.[25]

Analog Devices has fabrication plants located in the United States and in Ireland. The company's testing facilities are located in General Trias, Philippines; Chonburi, Thailand; and Penang, Malaysia.[26]

Design centers are located in Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, England, Germany, India,Japan, Scotland, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey.[25]
 
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