The common Molex connector, specifically the 4-pin peripheral power connector widely used in computers, is designed to handle a maximum voltage of 12 volts.
Understanding Molex Connector Voltage
When people refer to "Molex" in the context of computer components, they are most often speaking about the 4-pin peripheral power connector (often part of the Molex 8981 series). This connector has been a standard for powering internal computer peripherals like hard disk drives, optical drives, and various accessory cards before the widespread adoption of SATA power connectors.
According to its specifications, this particular type of Molex connector is engineered to safely transmit up to 12 V. This voltage is critical for powering the motors in devices like hard drives and CD/DVD drives, and for providing auxiliary power to some older or less demanding expansion cards.
Key Electrical Specifications of the Common Molex Connector
To provide a clearer picture of its capabilities, here are the main electrical specifications for this type of Molex connector:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Max. Voltage | 12 V |
| Max. Current | 11 A/pin (18AWG w/30 °C rise) |
Source: Molex connector - Wikipedia
Applications and Power Delivery
In a typical personal computer power supply, the 4-pin Molex connector provides two main voltage rails to connected peripherals:
- +12V: This line is essential for components that require higher power, particularly for motors in devices such as hard drives and optical drives. It also serves to provide supplementary power to certain older graphics cards and other expansion cards.
- +5V: This line primarily supplies power for the logic circuits and control boards of the connected peripherals.
While the connector provides both 12V and 5V lines, its design limit for maximum voltage handling is 12V, ensuring safe and reliable power delivery to a wide range of computer components.
