power supply rating ?

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nesc39

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i have recently been reading up on being able to turn my computer power supply to use as a desktop supply for my hobbies 5v 24v 12v etc. what i dont understand is how the voltages are adding up. On the power supply it lists +5v, +12v, -5v, -12v, +3.3v.....anyway in the authors page he explains that (+5v and +12v =7v) and (+5 and -12v = 17v)....i dont understand i would think they both equal 17v. Im assuming the (+) and (-) are the polarities. Can someone please explain this to me. Also listed is The voltages that can be output by this unit are 24v (+12, -12), 17v (+5, -12), 12v (+12, 0), 10v (+5, -5), 7v (+12, +5), 5v (+5, 0) heres a link http://www.wikihow.com/Image:ATX-to-Lab-PSU-8.JPG
 
ya gotta look at the difference in potentials- the difference between +5 and +12 is 7, the difference between -5 and +12 is 17.

And I think it is not designed to be used that way, with loads randomly connected between various outputs- may go Kaput and let the smoke out! Generally would be used 0V to + or - whatever or + whatever to - whatever
 
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