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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. |
#2
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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-- |
#3
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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. | |
#4
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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. |
#5
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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. Phil provided a nice link to the pinout on a 24 pin supply (PDF page 37) http://www.formfactors.org/developer...public_br2.pdf Some people have recommended having a little bit of load on the power supply. (Whether the power supply can be damaged by operating without a load, is open to question. Maybe an older design can be damaged.) To load my power supplies, I have a load box I built. It uses resistors on each output rail, to place a light load on the supply for testing. Construction cost might be $50 to $100. (The little power supply tester dongle you can buy, only loads one rail, so I guess that is enough.) http://groups.google.ca/group/alt.co...b?dmode=source Without a minimum load, some power supplies are not guaranteed to be within regulation. The output voltage might not be within 5%, if no load is present. In some cases, if you look at the label on the side of the supply, it will list both a maximum current (most will have that info) while some will also list the minimum current. So if you ignore that little detail, turning on the supply is easy. 1) Disconnect the power supply from the computer. 2) Plug in the power supply. Flip the power supply switch to ON. 3) Use a paper clip to connect PS_ON# to COM. PS_ON# is a green wire, and COM is a black wire. There is a COM on either side of the PS_ON# signal. You can use any COM signal, with the PS_ON# signal. 4) As long as the paper clip is in place, the power supply fan should spin, and all voltages should be present. 5) When the paper clip is removed, only +5VSB will still be present and providing power. 6) When the main switch on the back, is put in the OFF position, no voltages should be present on the main connector. HTH, Paul |
#6
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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 |
#7
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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 |
#8
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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 |
#9
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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 |
#10
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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 |
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