Q: I have a printer, scanner, router, external hard drive and PC speakers - each with their own external "brick" PSU and mass of cables. As they're all low power devices, is there such a thing as a multi-output 12V PSU which would supply them all? (And is there a standard for such things? - Power Over Ethernet is not really right for these types of device) I've just discovered http://www.usbpluspower.org/ powered usb, which may work...
A: unfortunatley there is no standard for such things. Each device from every manufacturer may have different requirements, i.e. 12V, 16V etc. Also, the power condumption of each device will also vary so that a router may only need 200mA whereas the printer may need 2Amps. There are industrial power supplies on the market (available from RS, Farnell & Maplin) which have multiple outputs. These could be used but you would have to make up your own connecting cables (or cut them of the existing unit)