what does -5v & -12v mean?

[Maverick2002]

I'm talking about the two negative readings reported by MBM what are those for?

 

[pray4mojo]

Did you happen to purchase the $5 350 watt power supply from Frys?

 

[Maverick2002]

No every PSU I've owned shows negative voltage lines as well as positive ones. I'm just trying to figure out what this means.

 

[MikeMike]

no it has those on everything, i dunno for what, but my antec has them too, although they are WAY off. thats the only rails that arent w.in like .02v

MIKE

 

[Nohr]

-12 V: This voltage is used on some types of serial port circuits, whose amplifier circuits require both -12V and +12V. It is not needed on some newer systems, and even on older ones not very much is used, because the serial ports require little power. Most power supplies provide it for compatibility with older hardware, but usually with a current limit of less than 1 A.

-5 V: A now archaic voltage, -5 V was used on some of the earliest PCs for floppy controllers and other circuits used by ISA bus cards. It is usually provided, in small quantity (generally less than 1A), for compatibility with older hardware. Some form factor power supplies such as the SFX no longer bother to supply it (systems using the SFX power supply are intended not to have ISA bus slots).

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/power/sup/func.htm

 

[ethebubbeth]

very nice explanation nohr