OverKill

[LittleKing]

A friend and I were wondering what would happen to a power supply if you required to much power from it? Would it harm just the power supply or would everything in the system be ruined?

LK

[scotter]

it could go any way you never know it all depend on what went first and if the fuse cought it or not

[Nathan G]

More than likely the stressed Output will drop in voltage thereby reducing current (power),possibly the powersupply will go into "foldback" condition before poping fuses (good ones will). What would happen depends on specifics design of PS and load applied to it. As far as a PC is concerned it would make for a terribly unstable system. Always configure systems to run PS at least 10% below max ratings.

[LittleKing]

Accually if I understand it right, current is Amps and Power is watts. But I understood what you ment.

LK

[Groo]

Usually if you have too much stress on any given power suppy, it just won't power on. For instance, say the floppy drive was screwing up and sucking all kinds of power, then the computer just won't turn on until you unplug power from that part.