Hooking up my power switch/reset switch/LEDs

I'm working on building a computer (first time for me). There are several plugs that I need to connect to the motherboard (Power LED, reset switch, etc). Of the two wires, they are either:

Color and white (reset switch, power LED, HDD LED)
red and black (speaker, power switch)

The manual for the motherboard has a nice diagram of where to plug them in, but has them labeled + or -. Which colors are positive, and which are negative?

David Oneill

Posted 2010-05-03T04:09:15.880

Reputation: 2 381

Answers

For reset swtich and power switch, it does not matter.

By electrical convention, red is positive, black is negative. For the others, generally I think colour is positive, white is negative.

For the connections you have listed, you will not damage your system if you connect them up backwards; the lights simply won't work.

RJFalconer

Posted 2010-05-03T04:09:15.880

Reputation: 9 791

2Thanks! It's good to know this won't damage anything. Being new to computer building, it's hard to know what parts I need to be really careful with, and I can relax about. – David Oneill – 2010-05-03T13:58:59.177

My motherboard manual specifically urges to take notice of the + and - to plug the power and rest switches, whereas you say this does not matter. Why would the manual say differently? – Félix Gagnon-Grenier – 2017-11-05T10:51:55.280

@FélixGagnon-Grenier I can offer no electrical explanation. Switches break or make an electrical connection. They don't have polarity. Perhaps the advice is in a context that would include the LEDs? – RJFalconer – 2017-11-06T09:58:38.817

In most motherboard cables there is a little triangle that marks the positive side. See the picture below:

Motherboard cable positive side

totymedli

Posted 2010-05-03T04:09:15.880

Reputation: 4 004

2Ah, that's good to know. It's likely this is a new thing, since I would have noticed those. A lot can change in motherboard design in 4 years! – David Oneill – 2014-10-07T21:16:51.057

10Just a general thought, why didn't they just use a plus sign instead of a triangle? – Hind-D – 2015-10-14T20:23:31.933

@Hind-D yes indeed, I have a Thermaltake F31 Supressor (great case btw) and most connectors have + / - on them, except the PW and RESET switches that oddly have the triangles - well we learn something everyday ! – MemeDeveloper – 2016-04-06T15:41:04.507

@Hind-D that'd be wayyyyyy too simple – Félix Gagnon-Grenier – 2017-11-05T03:45:30.730