Out of Spec -12V on Antec SL300 Power Supply

I'm using an Antec SL300 power supply for my PC. Checking the voltage
of the outputs with a digital multimeter while the system was running
(full load with all peripherals connected), I got the following
readings:

+3.3V +3.34V
+5V +5.05V
-5V -5.07V
+12V +12.39V
-12V -12.88V ***

The voltages are fine except for the -12.88V. Antec specifies that
the acceptable range for this is -11.4V to -12.6V. The reading is
0.28V beyond the allowable maximum. My questions a

1. What exactly is the function of the -12V line?

2. What kind of damage would an out-of-spec -12V line create?

3. Is the excess of 0.28V really something to worry about?

So far my system runs fine without symptoms of any problems caused by
a faulty power supply. I'm just afraid that this deviation from
normal will slowly erode the reliability of the system and someday
take its toll to surprise me with an irrecoverable damage to a hard
drive or other component.

Thanks in advance for any help or info you could share.

--Michael

Michael Lauengco wrote:

I'm using an Antec SL300 power supply for my PC. Checking the voltage
of the outputs with a digital multimeter while the system was running
(full load with all peripherals connected), I got the following
readings:

+3.3V +3.34V
+5V +5.05V
-5V -5.07V
+12V +12.39V
-12V -12.88V ***

The voltages are fine except for the -12.88V. Antec specifies that
the acceptable range for this is -11.4V to -12.6V.

The official ATX spec for the -12v is +/- 10% (10.8-13.2 vdc.) I wouldn't
worry too much about it.

http://www.formfactors.org/developer...X12V_1_3dg.pdf

Section 3.2.1. Table 2.

Thanks everyone for the good info! So it turns out there's nothing to
worry about. Now I can breath a sigh of relief!

--Michael