Gaming Madness Community Forum

just one simple (i think) question about matching a device(s) to a power supply

if i have a device rated at 12v DC with a 9 amp draw can i safely connect a power supply that provides 33 amps with a regulated voltage?
from what i am reading this should be the case if the PSU is regulated, but just want to confirm with any of the older folks here that might have a bit more experience with these things


what problems can i expect if i accidentally attach x number of devices that draw more than the PSU's rating?
not that i plan to do this, but want to know if it will damage anything or just cause voltage loss. at any rate will try to stay away from a position where i'll find out.

amps kill
more than .005 can kill u dont touch it, also need to know what device

Quester115 wrote:
if i have a device rated at 12v DC with a 9 amp draw can i safely connect a power supply that provides 33 amps with a regulated voltage?

Yes the device will only take what it needs.

You can not have higher voltage however, and the polarity must be correct (if using round plugs n jacks like cellphone car adapters for example).

Quester115 wrote: what problems can i expect if i accidentally attach x number of devices that draw more than the PSU's rating?

It all depends on the power supply and the built in protection it has. Typically you'll trip the breaker on the power supply, but sometimes the breaker doesn't trip and you fry something plugged into it.

Slops right about the amps, deadly in small amounts.

SlOpPy2ndS wrote:amps kill
more than .005 can kill u dont touch it, also need to know what device

Heh my Cisco teacher says it only takes 0.01 amps to kill .

Hmm...funny, Navy Teaches .1 Amps... .1 amps and a worst case 300 Ohm body resistance...so 30 volts and up require extra precautions when working on =P

ur right been awhile since ive messed with nething.
but the .005 is when u can first start feeling the shock effect

well its a formula guys. .0000000000001 amp could probably kill you if its was being backed by 1,000,000 volts...then again, .1 amp could probably kill you with 1,000 volts...i dont know exactly, but im sure its some kind of equation.

well i'll try not to kill myself, still haven't bought denial so that would be bad.
thanks for the input
one step closer to the ubercooler of pwnage

What is it that you intend on hooking up to the PSU???

for your pc you need denial, you need ghost or resurect, i would say minimum level... oh, wait a sec, do we talk about real life? ;-)

so much for "YKYPWOPITMW".....

ats