How to check the power supply voltage

[JMG]

This article discusses how to check the power supply voltage. Power from the power supply divided by the number of connectors that divides between the 12V, 5V dan3.3Volt. The easiest way is to check the output power when the power was working.

Below is how to check the power supply, multimeter uses:

The composition of the power supply cable

In the format of the power supply is still divided between several form factors. Standard ATX and BTX power supply fixed voltage using three parts as mentioned above. ATX version currently already have version 1.3 where there are additional power for devices such as the latest SATA hard drives SATA. Meanwhile, the latest is a BTX form factor that changed the usage and add a pin AUX power play from 20pin to 24 pins. But the essence remains the same where the 12V, 5V and 3.3V is the voltage used in the output voltage to power

Below is an illustration of the power supply connector with each output voltage according to the standard ATX power supply











3.3 volts

To check the voltage to 3.3V can be used 2 connector. The first is to use the Main Connector cable. And look for Orange-colored wires with Black, Orange is 3.3V + and Black is 3.3V.

But the easiest method is to use the cable that tidka used as AUX connector consists of 5V + 3.3V + .3.3 V +, Com, Com, Com. Way as in the picture below. Where is the Aux connector cabel is connected between the Plus and Minus Orange with Black to check for 3.3 Volt.




5V and 12V

To check the 12V and 5V easiest.
Use Peripheral connector cable with the color Red, Black, Black and Yellow.
To get 5V, connect the multimeter between Red with Black Plus Minus



While 12V is connected between the Yellow and Black Plus Minus




Power Tolerance

Not all power will show the exact figures 12V, 5V and 3.3V. Tolerance of power can be seen in the picture below.



For example you have a power output of 3.4V or 3.45V to 3.3V.
Output is still acceptable with the tolerance limit. And 5V to 12V is still acceptable if not exceeds 5.25V and 13V

Generally the output lies between the percentage of power supply in the image above. For best conditions, no more than 3.3V voltage 3.4V. For no more than 12V and 5V 12.5V no more than 5.2V. Even in some of the power supply can also indicate a lower voltage but not too low if this is still acceptable from the percentage limits the power tolerance still have adequate output.

For abnormal conditions, the output power supply is above the threshold percentage as the image above. Too high will cause the device to be a transient overvoltage and gets hot, too low will give instability on CPU or hardware device.


Fore with BTX

A little commentary on the BTX power. Changes in standard ATX and BTX actually located at only 4 extra pins. Has a 20pin ATX power while the BTX has a 24pin power. Below is the location of the difference in power BTX mainboard power jack (not the power jack power supply connector) where at the very bottom of a given color are four extra pins on the new BTX standard




Result

The above description can give a little knowledge of how to check your power supply. The thing to remember is the power supply will have no such precision output should show the number of 12.0V, 5.0V and 3.30V. Certainly there is little change in both numbers bigger and smaller. But the power output must match the terms of the tolerance limit, and do not exceed the tolerance of the power supply still has the correct output and fit for use.

To the best conditions exist that use the power checks I check the output with no load or power conditions are not attached to a computer device. But there are memilh easy way to check when the power supply is connected to a PC or mainboard to the device. This method has good and bad effects. When the power supply is checked when paired hardware will demonstrate the positive value of actual output power conditions issued by the power supply. On the other hand could have power under the above indicated figures above the normal voltage because of the expense of power consumption at power supply. As long as they do not exceed the tolerance limit of the power supply output can be accepted. Provided the powr supply does have the power or output power is adequate and sufficient supply of power to the computer device.

If you wish to check the power output to the power supply, should be cautious enough not to occur short or the relationship between plus and minus. As usual, the risk of your hands while it is checked and must be very careful to connect the multimeter to the power supply connector.