power switch?

is a pc power switch a constant current or is it like a tap circut? i need to know because im making a case.

 

momentary push button.

just get a momentay push button from like radioshack and it will work. But good luck with the case and post pics when your done with it. maybe you can set up a work log.

 

im going to try to rig something up out of an old cd drive that doesnt work. why waste a trip when i can do it with something i already have? on top of that, its got like a 333mhz processor, and like an 8 gig hdd and 32mb of ram.

 

Not sure what you mean by 'tap circuit'.
However Uberetc is correct the switch must make contact only when pressed in.
In fact they are not 'momentary switches' as they designed to be held in for 5 seconds to cause power down in the event of lockup. They are usually spring loaded single pole press down switches for this reason. They carry no significant current, the signal is voltage operated.

Studio T

 

so technically i could just tap 2 wires together or hold them together for 5 seconds?

 

You could, but I wouldn't recommend that for a regular setup.

What you suggest means wires that are naked at least somewhere. Naked wires have a nasty habit of finding conductive parts to touch. With unpredictable results. It's one of the situations that almost guarantees that Murphy's Law will get a chance to operate.

 

you could but i wouldent. i just used a screw driver to connect the pins for the power switch before. mind you i thought the mobo was dead and i dident need it so if it caused a probem it wouldent of been a loss to me.

like rob said, you could but sooner or latter somthing bad is bound to happen.

 

It's nice to see someone willing to roll his sleeves up and have a go.

Your question really demonstrates the value of providing information when you first pose it. Please post some information about the kit you intend to cobble together.

This is because early pcs and some pc based equipment use(d) different power switching arrangements.
Using the advice given so far on one of these systems could have disasterous, even lethal, consequences.

Early pcs (XT and AT) directly switched the AC power, then there was an intermediate stage with a remote switch (AT and LPX) still at mains voltage and the more recent systems (ATX and later) which use a low volatge signal to control the system.

All the advice given so far refers to this last system which can be recognised by the 20 or 24 pin main connector to the motherboard.

Fore safety's sake please confirm that this is the system you are talking about.

Studio T