How to test a power supply ?
 

Hello,

Some have suggested to buy a voltmeter and then test the power supply.

Since computers have special plugs and such, how would one go about
testing the power supply ?

Are there special plugs necessary ?

(Not that I would ever try it, way to dangerous !)

Do you have a link to a website with some pictures ?

Bye,
Skybuck.

How to test a power supply ?
 

Skybuck wrote:
Hello,

Some have suggested to buy a voltmeter and then test the power supply.

Since computers have special plugs and such, how would one go about
testing the power supply ?

Are there special plugs necessary ?

(Not that I would ever try it, way to dangerous !)

Do you have a link to a website with some pictures ?

Bye,
Skybuck.


How about buying a power supply tester, they sell them pretty cheap.

--
"Out here on the perimeter there are no stars"

Steve --Inglo--

How to test a power supply ?
 

'Skybuck' wrote:
| Some have suggested to buy a voltmeter and then test the power supply.
|
| Since computers have special plugs and such, how would one go about
| testing the power supply ?
|
| Are there special plugs necessary ?
|
| (Not that I would ever try it, way to dangerous !)
|
| Do you have a link to a website with some pictures ?
_____

All mains voltage is contained within the metal ATX power supply box. Just
follow basic safety proceedure used when working on ANY device connected to
mains voltage (i.e. don't stick screwdrivers into the supply when it is
plugged in.)

Keep in mind that mains voltage is ALWAYS present in the ATX power supply
EVEN when the system front panel switch is turned off AND the power switch
(if any) on the back of the power supply is turned off as long is the power
cord is plugged into the mains.

The System front panel switch just handles logic level voltages. However,
you must supply a POWER ON logic level TO the power supply to get it to turn
on.

Diagrams and specifications for the ATX power supply are at
http://www.formfactors.org/developer...public_br2.pdf .
Included are pinouts for the various power plugs.

A digital voltmeter should be used for measuring voltages.

The voltages under no load will not be representative of the voltages under
load. Voltage measurements when the system is operating are much more
useful. Thus the reason for system monitoring chips.

A good computer repair shop is recommended.

Phil Weldon

"Skybuck" wrote in message
oups.com...
| Hello,
|
| Some have suggested to buy a voltmeter and then test the power supply.
|
| Since computers have special plugs and such, how would one go about
| testing the power supply ?
|
| Are there special plugs necessary ?
|
| (Not that I would ever try it, way to dangerous !)
|
| Do you have a link to a website with some pictures ?
|
| Bye,
| Skybuck.
|

How to test a power supply ?
 

Skybuck wrote in news:1181362277.933852.227520
@k79g2000hse.googlegroups.com:

Hello,

Some have suggested to buy a voltmeter and then test the power supply.

Since computers have special plugs and such, how would one go about
testing the power supply ?

Are there special plugs necessary ?

(Not that I would ever try it, way to dangerous !)

Do you have a link to a website with some pictures ?

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...&product_code=
332184&Pn=ATX_12V_Version_2_0_Power_Supply_Tester

They have them right in the store if you have a CompUSA local to you.

How to test a power supply ?
 

On Fri, 08 Jun 2007 21:11:17 -0700, in sci.electronics.design Skybuck
wrote:

Hello,

Some have suggested to buy a voltmeter and then test the power supply.

Make sure you get a voltmeter with a USB connector, in case you have
to reinstall the OS on the voltmeter


martin

How to test a power supply ?
 

'martin' wrote:
| Make sure you get a voltmeter with a USB connector, in case you have
| to reinstall the OS on the voltmeter
_____

Actually, you CAN get Digital Multimeters with serial and USB ports - for
logging, and, I suppose, for flash updates for the more sophisticated DMMs.

Phil Weldon

"martin griffith" wrote in message
...
| On Fri, 08 Jun 2007 21:11:17 -0700, in sci.electronics.design Skybuck
| wrote:
|
| Hello,
|
| Some have suggested to buy a voltmeter and then test the power supply.
|
| Make sure you get a voltmeter with a USB connector, in case you have
| to reinstall the OS on the voltmeter
|
|
| martin

How to test a power supply ?
 

On Sat, 09 Jun 2007 18:12:43 GMT, in sci.electronics.design "Phil
Weldon" wrote:

'martin' wrote:
| Make sure you get a voltmeter with a USB connector, in case you have
| to reinstall the OS on the voltmeter
_____

Actually, you CAN get Digital Multimeters with serial and USB ports - for
logging, and, I suppose, for flash updates for the more sophisticated DMMs.

Phil Weldon

"martin griffith" wrote in message
.. .
| On Fri, 08 Jun 2007 21:11:17 -0700, in sci.electronics.design Skybuck
| wrote:
|
| Hello,
|
| Some have suggested to buy a voltmeter and then test the power supply.
|
| Make sure you get a voltmeter with a USB connector, in case you have
| to reinstall the OS on the voltmeter
|
|
| martin

Yes I know, but considering all the problems the OP is having with
bios and stuff, I thought I would just add to his confusion


martin

How to test a power supply ?
 

"Inglo" ioo@??.¿¿¿ wrote in message
. net...
Skybuck wrote:
Hello,

Some have suggested to buy a voltmeter and then test the power supply.

Since computers have special plugs and such, how would one go about
testing the power supply ?

Are there special plugs necessary ?

(Not that I would ever try it, way to dangerous !)

Do you have a link to a website with some pictures ?

Bye,
Skybuck.


How about buying a power supply tester, they sell them pretty cheap.



They are basically useless. The only way to fully test a PSU is under load.
If has to be plugged in and the computer needs to be running. A voltmeter is
the only way to go. Just because a PSU works when its not under load ie
using a PSU tester does not mean it wont fail under load, once its gotten
good and warm.

Dan

How to test a power supply ?
 

"Angry_American" schreef in bericht
g.com...
"Inglo" ioo@??.¿¿¿ wrote in message
. net...
Skybuck wrote:
Hello,

Some have suggested to buy a voltmeter and then test the power supply.

Since computers have special plugs and such, how would one go about
testing the power supply ?

Are there special plugs necessary ?

(Not that I would ever try it, way to dangerous !)

Do you have a link to a website with some pictures ?

Bye,
Skybuck.


How about buying a power supply tester, they sell them pretty cheap.



They are basically useless. The only way to fully test a PSU is under
load. If has to be plugged in and the computer needs to be running. A
voltmeter is the only way to go. Just because a PSU works when its not
under load ie using a PSU tester does not mean it wont fail under load,
once its gotten good and warm.

Dan

You better change your name in stupid american like the rest.
Stop crossposting !
fup set

How to test a power supply ?
 

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt "Angry_American"
wrote:

"Inglo" ioo@??.¿¿¿ wrote in message
.net...
Skybuck wrote:
Hello,

Some have suggested to buy a voltmeter and then test the power supply.

Since computers have special plugs and such, how would one go about
testing the power supply ?

Are there special plugs necessary ?

(Not that I would ever try it, way to dangerous !)

Do you have a link to a website with some pictures ?

Bye,
Skybuck.


How about buying a power supply tester, they sell them pretty cheap.



They are basically useless.

I wouldn't say that.
I've replaced about a half-dozen power supplies by different makers over
the past three to four years; and *every single one* failed to properly
power-on the cheap $20 tester I have. Only GOOD PSUs brought it to
life.

The only way to fully test a PSU is under load.

That is true ... but only "to fully test".
A Power-Supply-Tester is a handy way to check a failed supply and
confirm it has failed. Only if it says the supply is *good* and yet the
system shows signs of power-supply failure do you need more extensive
tests. When the Power-Supply-Tester fails to power-on when hooked to a
PSU, taking voltage measurements afterwards is overkill.

Just toss the thing.

And MOST bad supplies won't power up even a cheap tester.
It's quick and dirty; but definitely NOT useless.

If has to be plugged in and the computer needs to be running. A voltmeter is
the only way to go. Just because a PSU works when its not under load ie
using a PSU tester does not mean it wont fail under load, once its gotten
good and warm.

But if it fails the PSU tester, then why go to the bother of all the
other ****? And, in most cases of a failed supply, it WILL fail.

A HELL of a lot quicker too, than probing around with a voltmeter.
Just don't trust it to find marginal cases; or especially don't expect
it to find power supplies that were underpowered when bought; unless, of
course, the being underpowered is what caused the PSU to fail.

That's why you keep BOTH in your toolbox.

--
_____
/ ' / â„¢
,-/-, __ __. ____ /_
(_/ / (_(_/|_/ / _/ _