What do they call the power supply cable multipliers?

[muggyweather]

I once got my hands on a multiplier cable that turns one power supply
cable into two. This cord plugs into the end of one of the power
cables that plug into the power supply and you get two cable ends to
use. Computer power supplies never have enough cables. I need to get
some of these things, but I am not sure of the name for them, so when
I call, no one understands what I want. I'd call them a 3-way, like
the 3 ways used for outlets, but I'm sure thats not the correct name.

 

[sandy58]

I once got my hands on a multiplier cable that turns one power supply
cable into two. This cord plugs into the end of one of the power
cables that plug into the power supply and you get two cable ends to
use. Computer power supplies never have enough cables. I need to get
some of these things, but I am not sure of the name for them, so when
I call, no one understands what I want. I'd call them a 3-way, like
the 3 ways used for outlets, but I'm sure thats not the correct name.

The "newer" PSU's do have these. "3-way", "siamese" etc.

 

[Frank McCoy]

I once got my hands on a multiplier cable that turns one power supply
cable into two. This cord plugs into the end of one of the power
cables that plug into the power supply and you get two cable ends to
use. Computer power supplies never have enough cables. I need to get
some of these things, but I am not sure of the name for them, so when
I call, no one understands what I want. I'd call them a 3-way, like
the 3 ways used for outlets, but I'm sure thats not the correct name.

A 'Y' connector.

 

[the_slay_er]

the name for them is molex splitters...

for some reaosn the connector is called a molex connector... no idea why

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-way-Molex-P...ryZ45342QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[SteveH]

I once got my hands on a multiplier cable that turns one power supply
cable into two. This cord plugs into the end of one of the power
cables that plug into the power supply and you get two cable ends to
use. Computer power supplies never have enough cables. I need to get
some of these things, but I am not sure of the name for them, so when
I call, no one understands what I want. I'd call them a 3-way, like
the 3 ways used for outlets, but I'm sure thats not the correct name.

And sometimes the PSU's don't have 'enough' connectors on them for a good
reason - they're not capable of delivering the power to run any extra
devices.

SteveH

 

[Paul]

I once got my hands on a multiplier cable that turns one power supply
cable into two. This cord plugs into the end of one of the power
cables that plug into the power supply and you get two cable ends to
use. Computer power supplies never have enough cables. I need to get
some of these things, but I am not sure of the name for them, so when
I call, no one understands what I want. I'd call them a 3-way, like
the 3 ways used for outlets, but I'm sure thats not the correct name.

RadioShack has one that is ugly as hell.

"Y Cable"
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2288251

A slightly more traditional version, with correct colors for the wires.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812201006

"Y-cable converts single 4pin molex to dual 4pin molex.
Fully sleeved."

A local computer store, may carry the older, unsleeved version,
which I like the best. I can cut them up, and make stuff

HTH,
Paul

 

[Blinky the Shark]

the name for them is molex splitters...

for some reaosn the connector is called a molex connector... no idea
why

Usually when something picks up a name like that it's because they were
developed by a company by that name and when the device caught on and
became the de facto standard the name stuck, at least in one industry.
A "Hubbel" connector, as another example, in stage lighting, usually
refers to a particular type of AC connector that locks with a twist.

 

[~Mike Hollywood]

I never thougth about why you call them molex connectors, I just assumed it
was the type of material from which they are made.

Its a company.
www.molex.com

mike

 

[John Weiss]

I once got my hands on a multiplier cable that turns one power supply
cable into two.

Y adapter.

 

[Blinky the Shark]

I never thougth about why you call them molex connectors, I just assumed it
was the type of material from which they are made.

Moles? How cruel.

 

[Frank McCoy]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt "the_slay_er"

the name for them is molex splitters...

for some reaosn the connector is called a molex connector... no idea why

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-way-Molex-P...ryZ45342QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Because Molex invented and popularized that type of connector (in many
different models other than just the four-pin type used for computer
disk-drives) years earlier. Old televisions used to use various models
for connecting subassemblies back in the sixties and seventies. Often
big honking 20 to 40 pin blocks, all shaped and polarized so you
couldn't put them in wrong, backwards, or in the wrong socket. When the
IBM PC first came out, they were a handy way to connect disk-drives up
where it was relatively hard for the novice to put them in backwards
(but not impossible). The data connections to the drive, OTOH ....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molex
http://www.molex.com/

 

[muggyweather]

And sometimes the PSU's don't have 'enough' connectors on them for a good
reason - they're not capable of delivering the power to run any extra
devices.

SteveH

My old power supply was a 200W and it had 6 connectors plus 2 of those
small ones for floppy drives.

My new PS is a 250W and it only had 3 plus the floppy ones.
I run 3 harddrives and a Cd or DVD drive. So, I need at least 4.
Right now I had to unplug the CD drive till I get at least one of
those adaptors. I'd think that all ATX type computer power supplies
would have at least 4, since they have the 4 IDE channels. I know I
could chop one off my old PS and solder/tape it in, but an adaptor
seems much easier. I also dont understand why a 200W PS would have
less than a 250W PS. I can only figure it's dependant on the
manufacturer, but less than 4 is really lacking! Actually 5 should be
the minimum because of CPU fans sometimes needing one of them, at
least the older CPU's and their fans.

Thanks to everyone that replied, I guess a Molex Splitter AND Y
adaptor covers their name. Radio shack uses one name and that other
link to Ebay uses the other.

 

[SteveH]

My old power supply was a 200W and it had 6 connectors plus 2 of those
small ones for floppy drives.

My new PS is a 250W and it only had 3 plus the floppy ones.
I run 3 harddrives and a Cd or DVD drive. So, I need at least 4.
Right now I had to unplug the CD drive till I get at least one of
those adaptors. I'd think that all ATX type computer power supplies
would have at least 4, since they have the 4 IDE channels. I know I
could chop one off my old PS and solder/tape it in, but an adaptor
seems much easier. I also dont understand why a 200W PS would have
less than a 250W PS. I can only figure it's dependant on the
manufacturer, but less than 4 is really lacking! Actually 5 should be
the minimum because of CPU fans sometimes needing one of them, at
least the older CPU's and their fans.

Not just to do with the wattage, but the amperage on the different rails as
well.

SteveH