Pololu Maestro - Manual (Page 65)

The Micro Maestro’s processor can be
powered from USB while the servos are
powered by a separate supply.
The Micro Maestro’s processor and servos
can be powered separately.
7. Wiring Examples
This section contains example wiring configurations for the Maestro that demonstrate the different ways it can be
connected to your project. Although many of the pictures only show the Micro Maestro, the information in this section
applies to all Maestros (unless otherwise noted).
7.a. Powering the Maestro
There are several ways to power your Maestro’s processor and the servos it is controlling.
USB power
If you connect a power supply to the servo power terminal and
connect the Maestro to USB as shown in the picture to the right,
then the Maestro’s processor will be powered from USB while
the servos are powered from the power supply. The power
supply must output a voltage within the servos’ respective
operating ranges and must be capable of supplying all the
current that the servos will draw.
In this configuration, if the computer (or other USB host) that
the Maestro is connected to goes to sleep, then by default the
Maestro will go to sleep and stop sending servo pulses. If you
need to drive your servos while your computer is off, you can
use the Never sleep (ignore USB suspend) option in the Serial
Settings tab of the Maestro Control Center. Note that this will
only work if the computer is supplying power to the USB port while it is asleep, and it will make your Maestro be non-
USB-compliant.
Two power supplies
If you connect a power supply to the servo power terminal and
connect another power supply to GND/VIN, then the Maestro’s
processor will be powered from the VIN supply while the servos
are powered from their own supply. The VIN supply must be
within 5–16 V and be capable of supplying at least 30 mA to the
Micro Maestro or 50 mA to the Mini Maestro. The servo power
supply must output a voltage within the servos’ respective
operating ranges and must be capable of supplying all the
current that the servos will draw.
Pololu Maestro Servo Controller User's Guide © 2001–2014 Pololu Corporation
7. Wiring Examples Page 65 of 73