Are 15A Banana Jacks safe to use on an 18A output?

Question

I wasn't really sure where to put this, but here goes.

I recently got the idea to build myself a cheapo benchtop power supply using an old ATX computer PSU that I had. Everything works fine, and I've been using it, but now I think I want to make it more functional by adding a variable line and some banana jacks.

Here are the specs of the PSU:

+5.0V	18.0A*
+3.3V	11.0A*
+12.0V	17.0A
-12.0V	0.3A
+5.0VS	2.0A
TOTAL 250W MAX

*Between the 5.0V and the 3.3V there is a little bridge that says TOTAL 120W MAX.

Obviously, the lower amps I'm not worried about, but the higher ones bring some confusion.

I was originally going to go with these Banana Jacks for my PSU: http://www.newark.com/johnson-emerson/108-0902-001/banana-jack-15a-solder-red/dp/39F1574

But, then I noticed that their current rating is 15.0A which is less than my power supply will supposedly put out.

Now I am considering using these Banana Jacks: http://www.newark.com/pomona/72930-0/banana-jack-36a-screw-black/dp/26M8715

(albeit from a different source, I'm not sure why these are so expensive here)

I was wondering if this change was necessary, because, the second set of jack's will cost me about 5x as much as the first set.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

michaelkellett · Accepted Answer

I can't quite tell from the pictures but I think the cheaper 4mm sockets you refer to are the traditional type and the expensive ones are touchproof. Since the supply you are making is for home use I would suggest you use the cheap sockets if cash is tight. This will only be a problem if you use your supply continuously at the max 5V current which I expect is unlikely. Unless you also use good quality plugs the plug/socket interface will probably cause you more trouble than the socket itself. Depending on how you mean to use the supply perhaps you could provide two pairs of sockets for 5V. Michael Kellett