07-09-2010, 09:34 AM
Ten amps (not volts) is simply ten amps. Any load put in parallel with the others will increase the current drain by a little or a lot depending on what it is. Sometimes a device can inject a bit of noise (unwanted signals) on the power supply that can affect other devices being powered by it, but for the most part, you can divide the ten amps up to power various devices as you wish. Remember though, an overload on one will affect the others and pulling the maximum power from any supply will not only stress it, but tend to generate a lot more heat.
Also, powering a low current drain device with a large output supply could cause a few problems. Let's say that you have a device that draws 500 mA (1/2 amp), and so you use a one-amp supply. A problem with the device could cause the current drain to increase, but the current is limited with the one-amp supply so as not to cause too much damage. Using a ten-amp supply would allow a much higher current drain to occur, probably cooking the defective device beyond repair. The above suggestion by nachoman of using branch fuses to each device to prevent this is a good one.
Also, powering a low current drain device with a large output supply could cause a few problems. Let's say that you have a device that draws 500 mA (1/2 amp), and so you use a one-amp supply. A problem with the device could cause the current drain to increase, but the current is limited with the one-amp supply so as not to cause too much damage. Using a ten-amp supply would allow a much higher current drain to occur, probably cooking the defective device beyond repair. The above suggestion by nachoman of using branch fuses to each device to prevent this is a good one.
Don (ezdays) Day
Board administrator and
founder of the CANYON STATE RAILROAD
Board administrator and
founder of the CANYON STATE RAILROAD