is there any way to power up a pc power supply without connecting to a pc...like connecting two of the motherboard pin connectors to switch it on and testing the voltages with a multimeter
i need to test 4 power supplys and dont want to dismantle my pc to test them
2007-03-09 07:36:02 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Yea, check this link
2007-03-09 07:41:12 · answer #1 · answered by mrresearchman 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes sosgez is right. Also the other people are right that it is not good to test a power supply without a load. Well find an old hard drive and hook it up. The you can use a paper clip or whatever to connect the pins and test it.
2007-03-09 08:28:54 · answer #2 · answered by William S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming its an ATX 20 pin socket.
Pin 14 is PS_ON (green wire)
- pull it to 0v (any black wire, eg 15) to enable.
The red wires are +5V. Blue +12V. Yellow -12V.
I think -5V may be grey.
If you put a multimeter across 14 & 15 without the link, you should see around 5V I think.
Additional: I do this a lot, as I make embedded PC systems. I've never had a PSU that didn't give pretty good +5V and +12V supplies. i.e. close to those voltages. I suspect the ATX modules have some internal loading to help regulation. The +5V rail is usually capable for 20A or more. Be careful not to short out any rails.
2007-03-09 07:39:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
testing a power supply without drawing any current through it is a bad idea. If the power supply has an output for a monitor power cable, that could be used as a useful test.
2007-03-09 07:44:45 · answer #4 · answered by Shane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Computer stores sell a power supply tester for about $10 to $20.
2007-03-09 07:40:08 · answer #5 · answered by Mortis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To test ATX based power supplies(without a motherboard) it requires you to short out pins 14 and 15.
http://www.duxcw.com/faq/ps/ps4.htm
2007-03-09 07:42:43 · answer #6 · answered by Knowledge 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could but it wouldnt be a very good test of the supply with no load on it.
Whats up with these thumbs down Dan? We got a rubberhead on the loose in here agin?
2007-03-09 07:39:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
That's pretty hard to do, since the motherboard turns it on.
Good luck DUDE.
2007-03-09 07:38:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yes, it is possible.
2007-03-09 07:39:33 · answer #9 · answered by stoutseun69 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋