Power Supply
Supplies power throughout the computer. Power supplies converts potentially lethal 110-115 or 220-230 volt alternating current (AC) into a steady low-voltage direct current (DC) usable by the computer. A power supply is rated by the number of watts it generates.
A typical PC needs about 250W
AC - alternating current comes from the outlet
DC - direct current goes to the PC
Electrons - A flow of negatively charged particles called electrons
Supplies power throughout the computer. Power supplies converts potentially lethal 110-115 or 220-230 volt alternating current (AC) into a steady low-voltage direct current (DC) usable by the computer. A power supply is rated by the number of watts it generates.
A typical PC needs about 250W
AC - alternating current comes from the outlet
DC - direct current goes to the PC
Electrons - A flow of negatively charged particles called electrons
Electricity
Volts - 110-115v in USA Other countries use 220-230v
Amps - the number of electrons per second flowing between two points the amount of water per sec. leaving a dam thru a pipe (the higher the amount the more dangerous)
Watts - Amount of power (typical PC today use about 250 to 450 watts)
Ohms - Resistance
Two types of Power supply
AT and ATX power supply
ATX has a special power soft switch that can enable the PC to go into suspend or sleep mode
Volts - 110-115v in USA Other countries use 220-230v
Amps - the number of electrons per second flowing between two points the amount of water per sec. leaving a dam thru a pipe (the higher the amount the more dangerous)
Watts - Amount of power (typical PC today use about 250 to 450 watts)
Ohms - Resistance
Two types of Power supply
AT and ATX power supply
ATX has a special power soft switch that can enable the PC to go into suspend or sleep mode
AT uses the P8 and P9 as the main connectors where it connects to the AT socket of the motherboard
When installing P8/P9 black wires which represent ground must face each other and clips face out
P1 (left)
P8 and P9 (right)
When installing P8/P9 black wires which represent ground must face each other and clips face out
P1 (left)
P8 and P9 (right)ATX uses the P1 power connector and goes directly into the ATX socket
P1 can either be 20 or 24pins for the newer computers
Note some P1 also have a P4 connector (12v), P6, P8 connectors as add ons
Molex Connector
Molex connector can connect to the following devices:
All forms of CD/DVD devices, Internal hard drives, tape drives, superdrives, zip drives, fan, video adapters and internal SCSI devices
Mini-Connector
Mini connector can connect to a floppy drive
color schema of a molex connector
Power Supply Troubleshooting
It is Plugged In, Check Connection, It is Turn on, Check AC Outlet, Check On and Off Switch on back of PC, Check Voltage, Check Motherboard power sockets if its good or not.
To Test Power Supply use a Multimeter or a Power Tester
(if power supply is bad then replace it)
Also Check for Dust, Cooling Fan, and if PC keeps rebooting on its own constantly its overheating
Check for weird and unusual noises Power Supply should have a quiet humming noise if it’s good
P1 can either be 20 or 24pins for the newer computers
Note some P1 also have a P4 connector (12v), P6, P8 connectors as add ons
Molex Connector
Molex connector can connect to the following devices:
All forms of CD/DVD devices, Internal hard drives, tape drives, superdrives, zip drives, fan, video adapters and internal SCSI devices
Mini-Connector
Mini connector can connect to a floppy drive
color schema of a molex connector
Power Supply Troubleshooting
It is Plugged In, Check Connection, It is Turn on, Check AC Outlet, Check On and Off Switch on back of PC, Check Voltage, Check Motherboard power sockets if its good or not.
To Test Power Supply use a Multimeter or a Power Tester
(if power supply is bad then replace it)
Also Check for Dust, Cooling Fan, and if PC keeps rebooting on its own constantly its overheating
Check for weird and unusual noises Power Supply should have a quiet humming noise if it’s good
