On a 3 pin fan what one is live?

Nosparatu

Honorable
Feb 23, 2013
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I'm looking at doing some ridiculous switch additions because of the reason for any modding... why not? and I was just wondering which wire is live on three pin fans and what one is the ground? and also if anyone knows typical amperage for these connectors that would be great!
Thanks
 
Solution
Here is the standard pinout.

http://www.allpinouts.org/index.php/Motherboard_%28CPU%29_3_Pin_Fan_Connector

Most board headers are good for about 1 amp, but it takes a rather powerful fan to reach that level(I have seen Dell use some rated pretty high, but they never need to run full out).

Use a switch rated higher than the fans because they pull more on startup.

How many basic 120mm fans does it take to get 1.6 amps?
uya34.jpg
the two outside ones are live, the ones in the middle are for mesuring the RPM "rounds per minuter" they are very thin wires i would look up maybe 16gage or 32 depending what brand, Amps your talking about are more like half an amp.

as fare as switches any old switch will do just dont short currcuit anything black is always - (minus) "in most cases".

http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

if you have a Fouth one then that is LED
 
Here is the standard pinout.

http://www.allpinouts.org/index.php/Motherboard_%28CPU%29_3_Pin_Fan_Connector

Most board headers are good for about 1 amp, but it takes a rather powerful fan to reach that level(I have seen Dell use some rated pretty high, but they never need to run full out).

Use a switch rated higher than the fans because they pull more on startup.

How many basic 120mm fans does it take to get 1.6 amps?
uya34.jpg
 
Solution