Final answer:
The SATA power connector is a 15-pin connector that supplies multiple voltages to SATA drives, with pins grouped by voltage plane. It is separate from the data connector and is key to the drive's operation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Serial ATA (SATA) interface standard includes a power connector that is designed to supply power to SATA drives.
The SATA power connector consists of 15 pins and it provides several voltages, typically +3.3V, +5V, and +12V, to accommodate the power requirements of SATA drives.
The pins are grouped into three different voltage planes and also include multiple grounds to help with noise reduction and stability of the power supply to the device.
In the design of PCs and other devices utilizing SATA drives, it is essential to ensure that these power connections are properly matched to the drive specifications for reliable operation.
The SATA power connector is distinct from the data connector, which has 7 pins and is used for data transfer between the drive and the motherboard or SATA controller.