Can someone explain what a "rail" is (PSU)?
- Thread starter orestesdd
- Start date
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- Tags
- Hard Drives Homebuilt Systems
Solution
Going to use a picture to help out a bit
Each separate voltage in that image is a separate "rail". It has a 5V, 3.3V, -12V, 5VSB, and 4 12V rails. Each rail has an over current protection circuit in it to keep you from drawing too much from a single rail. There are usually multiple connectors attached to each rail, but rather than regulating voltage for each 12V line its much easier to regulate the voltage of a dozen 12V lines tied together into a single rail, the rails are then tied together farther back where they all get their power from a single 12V source which is why the combined power between the rails is usually not just the power of each rail...
Each separate voltage in that image is a separate "rail". It has a 5V, 3.3V, -12V, 5VSB, and 4 12V rails. Each rail has an over current protection circuit in it to keep you from drawing too much from a single rail. There are usually multiple connectors attached to each rail, but rather than regulating voltage for each 12V line its much easier to regulate the voltage of a dozen 12V lines tied together into a single rail, the rails are then tied together farther back where they all get their power from a single 12V source which is why the combined power between the rails is usually not just the power of each rail...
hunter315
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- May 12, 2009
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Going to use a picture to help out a bit
Each separate voltage in that image is a separate "rail". It has a 5V, 3.3V, -12V, 5VSB, and 4 12V rails. Each rail has an over current protection circuit in it to keep you from drawing too much from a single rail. There are usually multiple connectors attached to each rail, but rather than regulating voltage for each 12V line its much easier to regulate the voltage of a dozen 12V lines tied together into a single rail, the rails are then tied together farther back where they all get their power from a single 12V source which is why the combined power between the rails is usually not just the power of each rail added together.
Each separate voltage in that image is a separate "rail". It has a 5V, 3.3V, -12V, 5VSB, and 4 12V rails. Each rail has an over current protection circuit in it to keep you from drawing too much from a single rail. There are usually multiple connectors attached to each rail, but rather than regulating voltage for each 12V line its much easier to regulate the voltage of a dozen 12V lines tied together into a single rail, the rails are then tied together farther back where they all get their power from a single 12V source which is why the combined power between the rails is usually not just the power of each rail added together.
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