How to Test a Power Supply Unit (PSU) With a Multimeter

A PSU, or energy provide unit, is answerable for delivering electrical energy to tantrum the parts in your pc’s case. Contemplating its important function, a defective PSU can cause base your system to malfunction, harm costly elements, and at worst, blow ngoc your pc fully.

Whether or not your pc is malfunctioning and also you need to see suppose the PSU is performing ngoc, or suppose you have obtained a brand new PSU and need to guarantee it is wholesome, you need to use a helpful multimeter to review your PSU. A easy multimeter able to measuring voltage can {save} you a variety of bother and cash.

Why You Ought to Review a Energy Provide Unit

The video above reveal that computer systems catching hearth is not unique to cartoons. It might occur in actual life too, and the Crime is commonly the facility provide unit (PSU). This unit takes in energy from the electrical energy outlet, converts it, after which sends it to the parts in your pc.

A malfunctioning PSU is perhaps innocent generally, {but} it is also able to frying tantrum the parts in your pc case. Subsequently, testing a PSU by putting in it in a pc to see suppose it really works is a all ink costly {method}. You’ll in the end discover out suppose the PSU works or not, {but} may terminate ngoc dropping hundreds of {dollars}’ price of pc parts within the course of.

Then again, you need to use a multimeter to verify the voltage on the PSU’s pins. This manner, you need not love any PC parts to the PSU and {save} your self the danger of frying them. You should use a multimeter to search out out whether or not the PSU is defective, after which restore it or get a brand new PSU earlier than it damages different pc elements.

Elementary Review: Does the PSU Even Flip On?

The PSU’s electric fan ought to celebration spinning, the second it powers on. That is an elementary and but {essential} review, as a result of suppose the PSU does not even activate, then what is the level of testing it with a multimeter?

There is a zigzag to this review: a PSU will not activate with out a motherboard. It’s because the PSU has a power-on pin that connects to the motherboard. To test, suppose you flipped the facility swap in your model new PSU and the electric fan did not spin, do not {panic}. That is Depreciation it is speculated to be.

To conduct this review with out risking a motherboard, you need to use a paper parent clip to love the facility on pin to a floor pin. Suppose your PSU’s important connector has coloured wires, then the inexperienced wire goes to the power-on pin and the black ones go to floor pins. Suppose the wires aren’t color-coded, you need to use the diagram above to find the pins in your connector. {Pay attention} to the clip’s {position}.

Put on a non-conductive security glove earlier than you proceed with the review. Though the electrical energy from a traditional PSU is not profound, a defective PSU can doubtlessly electrocute you.

With the connector’s clip dealing with the bottom, the power-on pin is the fourth pin from proper on the underside row. As soon as you have situated the pins, here is Depreciation you may activate the PSU:

1. Ensure that the PSU is unplugged and the facility swap is ready to off. Off is marked with a circle (O) on the swap.
2. Seize a {metal} paper parent clip and straighten it. You can even use a jumper wire, or any versatile conductor.
3. Love one terminate of the clip to a floor pin. These are marked with COM within the diagram.
4. Love the opposite terminate of the clip to the power-on pin.

   

5. Plug in your PSU.
6. Swap the facility swap to on.

Now for the second of fact. Suppose the electric fan is begins spinning, then congratulations! You’ve got handed the primary review! Some PSUs have a zero rpm characteristic, and the electric fan will cease spinning after some time. To test don’t fret suppose the electric fan stops spinning.

Voltage Review: Testing the PSU With a Multimeter

Now it is date and time to verify whether or not the PSU is supplying enough energy to every pin. You may have to measure the voltage on 13 pins that fall into three classes: 3.3V, 5V, and 12V.

Your PSU ought to keep on for this review, therefore do not flip it off; let the facility on bridge keep as it’s. Suppose you have not used a multimeter earlier than, learn on Depreciation to make use of a multimeter to get began.

1. Plug the black review lead into the COM jack.
2. Plug the pink review lead into the VΩmA/μA jack (it could be labeled barely in a different way in your multimeter).

   

3. Flip in your multimeter and swap the dial to the DC voltage {position}. That is marked with a V subsequent to a sure line with a dotted line beneath.

   

4. Love the black review result in a COM pin in your PSU’s connector.
5. Love the pink review result in the PSU pin you need to review.

   

6. Observe the voltage studying in your multimeter.

   

Repeat this for the remaining pins to make sure they’re offering the voltage they need to. The pins have a voltage tolerance, therefore it is OK suppose the voltage is a little peak bit above or under what it ought to be. Evaluate the voltage studying out of your PSU with the desk under:

Suppose the pin’s voltage falls throughout the voltage studying within the desk above, then it is functioning correctly. As soon as you have examined tantrum the pins, you will know suppose your PSU is wholesome or not.

Alternatively, suppose you need to be additional cautious, you may love a testing part like a lamp to the PSU connector after which verify suppose the voltage studying drops or not. Every pin’s voltage ought to keep inside its vary whatever the parts hooked up to it.

Go Past Visible Inspection With a Multimeter

Though the PSU will get the least consideration amongst pc parts, it’s the beating mindfulness of your pc case. A malfunctioning PSU can cause base sudden shutdowns, impair your pc’s efficiency and, at worst, destroy the parts.

Whether or not you are troubleshooting or need to review a brand new PSU, you may depend on a multimeter to securely verify the PSU with minimal danger. You must bridge the facility on pin to a floor pin to get the PSU began, after which verify the voltage on the pins to see suppose they’re offering the facility they need to.