A SPH has a local power supply that powers embedded functions and downstream ports. This power supply must provide between 4.75 V to 5.25 V to downstream facing devices under full-load and no-load conditions. SPHs are required to have current-limit protection and must report overcurrent conditions to the USB controller. Typical SPHs are desktop PCs, monitors, printers, and stand-alone hubs.

A BPH obtains all power from an upstream port and often contains an embedded function. The BPH must power up with less than 100 mA. The BPH usually has one embedded function, and power is always available to the controller of the hub. If the embedded function and hub require more than 100 mA on power up, the power to the embedded function may need to be kept off until enumeration is completed. To keep the embedded function power off, remove power or shut off the clock to the embedded function. Power switching the embedded function is not necessary if the aggregate power draw for the function and controller is less than 100 mA. The total current drawn by the bus-powered device is the sum of the current to the controller, the embedded function, and the downstream ports, and it is limited to 500 mA from an upstream port.