I'm just concerned about running too many devices off the 2 PSU power leads
that I have.
How many total devices will there be and what types (for
purposes of rough approximation of current usage)?
If you split one and power the two HDDs, then split the
other one twice- one splitter for the optical drive(s) and
other for misc accessorites like fans, you should be fine-
providing the splitters have reasonably good contact pins so
there isn't an intermittent or high resistance connection,
but that usually isn't a problem, just a remote possiblity
when adding more mechanical connections.
It is a 550watt PSU but does each power lead have a maximum?
I'd wonder if it's really 550W PSU, 2 is very few leads and
it would seem they did that to cut costs... and it wouldn't
usually be the only place cost-cutting meaures are taken.
Topower aren't horrible, there certainly are worse, but I
wouldn't expect 550W out of it. That's beside the point
though, there are no "PC" systems that use anywhere near
550W.
The max depends on the wire gauge. Commonly a good PSU will
have 18 ga., median 20 ga., 22 on floppy or other
expected-low current connections. This is a generalization
only, if a PSU is rated at 200W (mATX) and had 3 leads,
there would be little need for each to be 20 ga., for
example. Even so, wire size is not a huge expense, it is
typically a cost-cutting measure to reduce wire diameter
(higher number) above 18 ga. The diameter should be printed
ever-so-tiny on the wire itself.
For chassis wiring 20 ga would handle about 11 amps, 18 ga.
about 16 amp, provided chassis isn't very hot and wires
aren't tightly bundled together. One generally tries to
avoid maximums though, but even so there's plenty of margin
for powering the typical parts.
For example if
I only used one lead and added several molex Y-Splitters to it, would that
cause HDD or PSU damage?
It wouldn't damage the PSU, unless the splitter was
loose-fitting and the contact resistance made it heat up and
melt the connector some. Connector should similarly be fit
enough that voltage HDDs see is also still within spec, +-
5% on both 12V & 5V rails. It is best not to add several
splitters, and you probably would not need them. Even if
you only have a pair of leads coming from the PSU, surely
each lead has more than one connector already on it?
Done properly, yes you can add several splitters,
introducing all these mechanical connectors makes it more
important to check them, for good fit, and if possible take
voltage readings at each device's power input (though back
of the power connector with multimeter probes).
If you have a LOT of stuff you need to power, besides minor
consumers like fans, I would begin to wonder if the Topower
PSU is up to the task. Again voltage readings might be
useful.
