Is there a risk using Y-connectors on my power supply to connect more devices?
Question
Is there any risk or problem with using a y-adaptor to hook two hardware pieces (hard drives, floppy drives, cd-rom drives, extra fans, etc.) to one power-supply outlet? (I am having trouble finding a power supply unit that has enough outlets to accommodate all the components I will put into the tower I recently bought - the power supply that came with the tower only has outlets for five items even though the case has nine bays. And this seems to be a rather common phenomenon, judging from what I've seen since then. What do these manufacturers think the extra bays in a tower are for?)
Answer
This question was answered on June 13, 1999. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.
Using "Y" splitters for power leads poses no particular problems, but I would recommend being mindful of the exact components that you connect to them. I have seen certain device, such as CPU fans, cause problems for hard drives. Devices such as CD-Rom's, Zip drives, floppy drives, etc. would be by first choice for using the splitters. Try and keep the hard drives connected by themselves and directly from the power supply.
Author
Posted by Ken of Data Doctors on June 13, 1999
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