Add USB hub? | Home Assistant | Page 1

fervent nova Jan 12, 2026, 2:29 AM

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Hey all. I have a ZBT-1, ZBT-2, and a ZWA-2. Currently plugged into my Proxmox server and passed through the HA. I'd like to buy a USB hub to move the antenna further away and up higher. Can I just add a USB hub or will that break the association? Just wanted to confirm before I move forward.

timid glade Jan 12, 2026, 2:44 AM

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USB hubs will not interfere with the devices you attach to them. The only thing you may want to do is buy a powered job to ensure that each device gets the power it needs

fervent nova Jan 12, 2026, 2:53 AM

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So HA knows about them from some unique ID and will continue to do so even through the hub? I was just worried about moving them with networks already constructed on the antenna.

Ok I'll look into a powered one. I assumed these wouldn't use much power but looking at the spec. Wow. ZWA-2 1 amp, ZBT-2 500 ma, ZBT-1 150ma.

timid glade Jan 12, 2026, 3:39 AM

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USB hubs just pass traffic through, they have nothing at all to do with it

frank pumice Jan 12, 2026, 3:27 PM

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depending on how your VM host handles usb passthrough, you might need to reselect the devices in the usb passthrough configuration after moving them to a hub. But home assistant shouldn't need any reconfiguration.

fervent nova Jan 12, 2026, 3:47 PM

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I passed it through by Device ID. So we should be good to go?

uneven wraith Jan 12, 2026, 3:57 PM

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fervent nova I passed it through by Device ID. So we should be good to go?

Yeah that should

fervent nova Jan 12, 2026, 11:52 PM

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Any thoughts on decent powered ones? Poking at Sabrent at the moment but not loving the power buttons. I'm in the US.

uneven wraith Jan 13, 2026, 4:28 AM

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fervent nova Any thoughts on decent powered ones? Poking at Sabrent at the moment but not lov...

You do or don't want buttons?

fervent nova Jan 13, 2026, 10:08 AM

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I was worried the buttons could get bumped and turn off the antennas. I was thining no buttons. But maybe it's not that big of a deal? It's going to live up ona shelf.

fervent nova Jan 13, 2026, 12:18 PM

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This is the one I was looking at.
https://sabrent.com/products/hb-ump3

Sabrent

4-Port USB 3.0 Hub

Instantly Add Four USB 3.0 Ports to Any Compatible Device Individual Power Switches with LED Indicators Supports Transfer Speeds up to 5Gbps (USB 3.0), 480Mbps (USB 2.0), 12Mbps (USB 1.1) 2.5 Amp Power Adapter Included to Power up Your Devices Easy Setup: Plug & Play, Hot Swappable

uneven wraith Jan 13, 2026, 2:03 PM

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fervent nova This is the one I was looking at. https://sabrent.com/products/hb-ump3

I have that one on my work desk, works well. The buttons are pretty clicky it’s unlikely you’d be able to turn one off inadvertently

fervent nova Jan 13, 2026, 2:06 PM

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Ah ok cool. Thanks for sharing.

crude wadi Jan 13, 2026, 3:55 PM

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I got this one and it works great. Anker Powered USB Hub for Laptop,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014ZQ07NE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Anker Powered USB Hub for Laptop, 7 Ports USB 3.0 Data Hub, with 36...

Anker 7-Port USB 3. 0 Data Hub Expand and accelerate your data transfer and charging. Ultra-Compact Small, lightweight design provides greater portability and conserves space when connecting multiple devices. Upward-facing ports enable effortless, one-handed plugging. 7 High-Speed Data Ports Inst...

hard whale Jan 13, 2026, 4:56 PM

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FYI, some have reported issues connecting ZBT-(1 or 2) via USB 3.0.

#1459259214156529747 message

fervent nova Jan 13, 2026, 5:11 PM

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Hmmm interesting. I think almost all the powered ones I've found have been USB 3. 🙁

frank pumice Jan 13, 2026, 5:13 PM

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fwiw, I'm using an unpowered usb 2 hub to run 3 radios for zigbee, thread, and bluetooth, and it has worked fine. i don't know if the zbt-2 or zwa-2 have particularly high power requirements that might be an issue tho.

fervent nova Jan 13, 2026, 5:53 PM

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Total for all 3 should be 1650ma max at least from what I found on the spec pages. Which is pretty high.

#Add USB hub?