PCI card - finding the voltages used

We did post an article on our web site - PCI card - finding the voltages used .

In a summary:

-the PCI interface specifies 4 voltages: +3.3v, +5v, +12v, -12v

- a PCI card normally uses +3.3v and/or +5v

- the card may optionally use also +12v and/or -12v

Somebody who is not familiar with our products will ask themselves the question -

Why do I need to know the voltages of a PCI card?

Normally I just plug it in a desktop system, or in an expansion system.

Certainly, a desktop or an expansion system takes care of the maximum power needs - as defined by the spec.

However, a PCI card rarely uses the max. currents defined per voltage, and may not use some voltages at all.

We did design our products keeping this in mind, and providing external power supplies, only as needed - based on the PCI card used.

This allows our products to be very light, modular, and meed a wide variety of customer's needs.

      single PCI card serviced by - xprs-pci-x1

When dealing with multiple PCI cards, the power needs to be added - summing the currents for a specific voltage, and considering all of the voltages used.

               2 PCI cards serviced by - xprs-pci-x3

If unsure on the currents consumed by one or multiple PCI cards, we offer a default choice of an external power supply - isa-pwr-xr , which can cover most of the power needs for one or more PCI cards.

Best regards,

Paul Arssov.                      ARS Technologies Inc. / www.arstech.com