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ATX Power Supply

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by gmiller

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Is it possible to turn on an ATX PC Power Supply without plugging it into a motherboard? The PSU has been repaired and I want to test it before I reconnect it to the motherboard. It has +5VSB when on at the mains but I was hoping to be able to somehow manually switch it on to test the other output voltages before I risked connecting the motherboard.

4 replies

by thechas

Like most switching style power supplies, an ATX power supply needs a minimum load to operate.

You can buy a load kit from various PC parts sellers.

1 is www.cyberguys.com

CAUTION: Most loads ONLY load down the +5 volt supply. The other supplies will not be loaded.
Testing supplies without a FULL load does not fully verify that they operate properly.

That said, getting all the correct load resistors, or a full blown power supply tester would cost a lot more than a new power supply.

I just checked the load at CyberGuys. It looks like it is just a very basic load resistor.
Item# 113 0282
I have seen others that include a switch to turn on the ATX supply.

Chas

by thechas

Here is a link to a test load that is a bit better than the one form Cyberguys.

http://www.myxtech.com/p/77.html

It still only LIGHTLY loads the 5 volt supply.

That should be enough to at least verify that you do not have an supplies that are putting out too much volatge.

Chas

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