Why don't they make that AC ICE power connector on computer power
supplies any more? What was it for, a monitor? It was in addition to the
AC input cord to take AC back out again.
In message <4765d420$0$2312$4c368faf@roadrunner.com> Broderick Crawford
ililililil <bcrawford2150@roadrunner.com> wrote:
>Why don't they make that AC ICE power connector on computer power
>supplies any more? What was it for, a monitor? It was in addition to the
> AC input cord to take AC back out again.
My guess is that not enough people used it to justify the expense and/or
waste of space.
On Dec 17, 1:45 am, Broderick Crawford ililililil
<bcrawford2...@roadrunner.com> wrote:
> Why don't they make that AC ICE power connector on computer power
> supplies any more? What was it for, a monitor? It was in addition to the
> AC input cord to take AC back out again.
Bloody hell!! YOUR showing your age.......Broderick Crawford!!!! But
he WAS good, eh? hahahahahahahah
"Broderick Crawford ililililil" <bcrawford2150@roadrunner.com> wrote in
message news:4765d420$0$2312$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Why don't they make that AC ICE power connector on computer power
> supplies any more? What was it for, a monitor? It was in addition to the
> AC input cord to take AC back out again.
...cannot answer your question, but I do agree that it was neat to have
it available. I always used it for monitors. It made for one less device
to rely on power-bar, which allowed for a 1-button click to switch
everything off, for those who cycled their system daily (nightly?).
Of course, sandy58, who offers SO much help to those seeking "advice" on
these ng's, does not remember such ps's--only reads about them in historical
articles. Oh, but to have such youthfulness again! (One day, I may learn
which pronoun to associate w/sandy58--(s)he???. Doesn't matter, other than
I have to be careful NOT to slant my rantings. Merry Christmas, whomever
you are.) sdlomi2
On 2007-12-17, DevilsPGD <spam_narf_spam@crazyhat.net> wrote:
> In message <4765d420$0$2312$4c368faf@roadrunner.com> Broderick Crawford
> ililililil <bcrawford2150@roadrunner.com> wrote:
>
>>Why don't they make that AC ICE power connector on computer power
>>supplies any more? What was it for, a monitor? It was in addition to the
>> AC input cord to take AC back out again.
>
> My guess is that not enough people used it to justify the expense and/or
> waste of space.
There are two relevant issues here, both in relation to turning
the monitor on and off.
The old style AT power supplies cut the monitor's power at the same
time as the system. This was easy to do as the power supplies were
controlled via a mains rated latching switch - both the computer
and the monitor were fed from this switch so both turned on and
off at the same time. ATX power supplies don't have this, at least
not on the front panel, so switching a mains power supply would
mean a seperate relay or DIAC which would be physically big and/or
comparatively expensive. The ATX power supplies that do have
monitor outlets don't switch it - they permanently feed the monitor
regardless of whether the computer is on or off.
In addition, slightly before ATX became widespread monitors began
shipping with DPMS power signalling as standard. This means that
the monitor powers down when no signal is being fed to it. This
isn't as good as cutting the power as the monitor is still drawing
some power in a standby mode, but it is most of the way there.
In short, controlling the monitor's power is both less important
and less practical than it used to be. Since that was the main
merit of a monitor outlet the outlet is of less significance today.
Since it costs money to fit manufacturers frequently don't bother.
One final, and fairly unconnected point. The power rating of PSUs
has increased steadily over the years. Whereas 10-15 years ago a
250W PSU was pretty much standard, today the standard is probably
550W. That makes everything inside the PSU case bigger and hotter.
Since the PSU is of standard dimensions it means that there isn't
as much spare space inside as there used to be. If there are space
and cooling constraints then space consuming options such as the
monitor outlet are going to be obvious targets.
Yes it's a throwback to long, long ago when IBM PC's and their clones first
came out.
Way back then all you have were simple text monochrome monitors (long before
vga ) and perhaps some of the early CGA monitors that had a short power cord
that just plugged into the AC recepticle on the back of the power supply
rather than a long ac cord that would plug into the wall.
That way, when you turned on the PC, it also powered up the monitor.
"Broderick Crawford ililililil" <bcrawford2150@roadrunner.com> wrote in
message news:4765d420$0$2312$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Why don't they make that AC ICE power connector on computer power
> supplies any more? What was it for, a monitor? It was in addition to the
> AC input cord to take AC back out again.
On Dec 17, 1:37 pm, "sdlomi2" <daniels_...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> "Broderick Crawford ililililil" <bcrawford2...@roadrunner.com> wrote in
> messagenews:4765d420$0$2312$4c368faf@roadrunner.co m...
>
> > Why don't they make that AC ICE power connector on computer power
> > supplies any more? What was it for, a monitor? It was in addition to the
> > AC input cord to take AC back out again.
>
> ...cannot answer your question, but I do agree that it was neat to have
> it available. I always used it for monitors. It made for one less device
> to rely on power-bar, which allowed for a 1-button click to switch
> everything off, for those who cycled their system daily (nightly?).
> Of course, sandy58, who offers SO much help to those seeking "advice" on
> these ng's, does not remember such ps's--only reads about them in historical
> articles. Oh, but to have such youthfulness again! (One day, I may learn
> which pronoun to associate w/sandy58--(s)he???. Doesn't matter, other than
> I have to be careful NOT to slant my rantings. Merry Christmas, whomever
> you are.) sdlomi2
Same to you, sdlomi2. and a very happy Hogmanay to you and yours.
Slainte'.
> ... ATX power supplies don't have this, at least not on the front
> panel, so switching a mains power supply would mean a seperate
> relay or DIAC which would be physically big and/or comparatively
> expensive...
I think I probably meant _triac_ there, and I still haven't learned
how to spell 'separate'. Oh well, it _is_ the Christmas party
season. At least that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
On Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:24:26 +0100 (CET), Andrew Smallshaw
<andrews@sdf.lonestar.org> wrote:
>On 2007-12-17, I wrote:
>
>> ... ATX power supplies don't have this, at least not on the front
>> panel, so switching a mains power supply would mean a seperate
>> relay or DIAC which would be physically big and/or comparatively
>> expensive...
>
>I think I probably meant _triac_ there, and I still haven't learned
>how to spell 'separate'. Oh well, it _is_ the Christmas party
>season. At least that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
Generally for cost reasons an old fashioned mechanical relay
would be used. If there were extremes of temp or very high
rate of cycling (or the designer just wanted long term
reliability) a solid-state relay would be used.
To simply switch a monitor, it would not have to be large or
very expensive, BUT they're not looking to add $1 to the
cost of each unit unless they feel it'd sell more and as you
mentioned in your prior reply, there is less demand today
with monitors able to be turned off by remote command from
the system.
On 2007-12-17, kony <spam@spam.com> wrote:
>
> Generally for cost reasons an old fashioned mechanical relay
> would be used. If there were extremes of temp or very high
> rate of cycling (or the designer just wanted long term
> reliability) a solid-state relay would be used.
>
> To simply switch a monitor, it would not have to be large or
> very expensive, BUT they're not looking to add $1 to the
> cost of each unit unless they feel it'd sell more and as you
> mentioned in your prior reply, there is less demand today
> with monitors able to be turned off by remote command from
> the system.
I agree an electromagnetic relay is the obvious option if space
permits - it isn't just the overall size of the relay but its shape
too that could be a problem - a slim component could be easier to
fit in even if it is larger overall. I wouldn't have thought an
SSR would be an option as whenever I've looked I've found them the
be disportionately expensive - £10+ seems to be the rule, at least
from the big distributors.
Out of interest I checked the prices of suitable triacs and relays
from Farnell - admitted, this isn't an entirely valid comparision
any as any OEM will get keener prices direct from the manufacturer
but should provide at least an illustration. I found suitable triacs
for 52p in quantity 1000+ whereas the relay I found was 95p for
the same quantity. However, a relay would stay cooler than a triac,
even if it isn't being switched much, so it isn't entirely clear cut.
Your point about saving money is the key one though. If your bog
standard commodity PSU costs around $30 then it probably only costs
a quarter to a third of that to make. The rest is fixed costs,
duties, margin etc. Adding $1 to the cost of something that only
costs $8 to make is quite a big price hike and could make the
difference between being competitive and not.
Power Supply 
Oh, but to have such youthfulness again! (One day, I may learn 
Linear Mode
