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How to Convert an ATX Power Supply to a

Variable Benchtop using an ATX breakout
board

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Home / Physics / Electricity & Electronics / How to Convert an ATX

Power Supply to a Variable Benchtop using an ATX breakout board

Let’s see how to convert a computer power supply to a benchtop

power supply using an ATX breakout board. This is a cheap and
easy DIY lab bench power supply with 12V, 5V, 3.3V or adjustable
DC output that you can use to power any electronic devices. No
d b k h l l d ld i
need to break open the power supply enclosure and no soldering
required. All you have to do is connect it!

Table of Contents

Why should you use an ATX breakout board?

How to convert an ATX power supply to a bench power supply?
What is an ATX power supply breakout board?
How to use an ATX breakout board to convert an ATX power
supply to a variable benchtop power supply?
Best ATX breakout boards
Electronics-Salon 24/20-pin ATX DC Power Supply Breakout Board
Module
SuperPlus ATX Power Supply Breakout Board and Acrylic Case Kit
with Adjustable Voltage Knob Supporting 3.3V, 5V, 12V and 1.8V-
10.8V Output Voltage and 3A current

Why should you use an ATX breakout

board?
One of the most useful tools for hobbyists passionate about
electronics is a benchtop power supply. It uses alternative current
and convert it to provide DC current to power any electronic
device.

Since a bench power supply can be relatively expensive to buy, I

personally prefer to use this homemade bench power supply
instead. This is a cheap and easy way to repurpose an old
computer power supply into a lab bench power supply. If you
don’t have one already, you can always find a brand new one for
less than $50. Let’s now see the different methods to convert an
ATX power supply to a variable benchtop power supply.

ATX Breakout Board: Easy ATX PSU Conversion to Lab Bench Power …
How to convert an ATX power supply to a
bench power supply?
There are 2 main ways to convert an ATX power supply to a bench
power supply.

The first method is probably the most fastidious and requires good
electronic skills. This method has been extensively covered in
several posts and videos, so I won’t go into details here. It involves
opening the power supply to rewire everything including a
resistance load, as well as drilling its case to fix the binding posts
that will be used as connectors. I honestly don’t recommend this
method unless you know exactly what you are doing, as computer
power supplies can deliver a lot of current and represent a big risk
of electrocutions.

But don’t worry; there is also a much easier and cheaper way to
convert an ATX power supply to a bench power supply simply by
using an ATX breakout board!

Check this ATX breakout board power supply adapter on

Amazon

What is an ATX power supply breakout

board?
An ATX breakout board is a small circuit board integrating several
components. You can plug it to any 20 or 24 pin ATX power supply
such as a computer PSU. The ATX breakout board will provide DC
current. In addition, there are several binding posts on the
breakout board providing different voltages (3.3V, 5V, 12V or

variable voltage). Therefore, it is perfect to use to power any DC

electronic devices such as microcontrollers, motor drive,
Raspberry Pi, LED light strips, etc.

How to use an ATX breakout board to

convert an ATX power supply to a
variable benchtop power supply?
An ATX breakout board can also be used to convert any ATX power
supply to a variable benchtop power supply. Such breakout boards
have an integrated voltage regulator knob and a LED screen,
which indicate the supplied voltage. It is therefore super easy to
adjust the voltage output by selecting the right value using the
knob.

These ATX breakout boards are such a great buy when you
consider how cheap they are compared to buying a classical lab
bench power supply. Furthermore, these breakout boards are so
easy to use and they are perfect for amateurs looking for a
cheaper alternative for a benchtop power supply.

Best ATX breakout boards

Electronics-Salon 24/20-pin ATX DC Power Supply
Breakout Board Module

This is a really nice breakout board from Electronics-Salon. It is

rated 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon with over 300 reviews. This breakout
board is easy to use and can convert any 20 or 24 pin ATX power
supply into a bench power supply. All you have to do is plug it!

This breakout board is well designed and provides everything you

need for the conversion of the ATX PSU to a lab bench power
 p
supply. It has a latching button switch to power ON/OFF. The
breakout board also has an internal resistor load, which is
required for the ATX power supply to function.

Click Here to See this ATX Breakout Board from Electronic-

Salon on Amazon

One of the main advantages of this ATX breakout board is that it

uses high quality screw terminal blocks. These 2.5mm jack
connector type can accommodate wire ranging from 26 AWG to 12
AWG. Furthermore, the board has a rated voltage of 400V and a
rated current of 24 Amp.

With its high current rating, the breakout board from Electronics-
Salon is perfect to provide DC power for electronic devices
requiring high amperage. For example, this ATX breakout could be
used to power LED strips, motors, Peltier modules or 3D printers.

There is also many screw terminal blocks on the breakout board

that can provide 3.3V, 5V or 12V DC power. If you need to supply
any other voltage you can create a variable power supply using a
LM317 module. Check my previous post about the LM317 voltage
regulator or my LM317 video if you want to learn more about
adjustable DC output.

The overall dimension of this breakout board is 3.74 x 3.39 x 1.46

inches. In addition, this board has a 5V connector with a stand-by
mode (SB), which means that this port will continue to provide
power even though the power supply is turned off. This is useful
for electronics that needs to be powered constantly such as a
router or else.

In summary, this is a really good ATX breakout board that can

provide high amperage current. The only downside of this board is
that it is not supplied with a protective case or enclosure. I would

therefore recommend putting it using an old DVD case to isolate

the binding posts and prevent power shortage.

Pros:

-Rated for high voltage and amperage (400V and 24 Amp capacity)

-Many high quality screw terminal blocks

Cons:

-No adjustable voltage output

-No protective case or enclosure provided

SuperPlus ATX Power Supply Breakout Board and

Acrylic Case Kit with Adjustable Voltage Knob
Supporting 3.3V, 5V, 12V and 1.8V-10.8V Output
Voltage and 3A current

The SuperPlus ATX breakout board is probably the best one you
could get. This breakout board is an all-in-one solution that
provides everything you need to convert an old computer PSU to a
benchtop power supply.

Check this ATX Breakout Board from SuperPlus on Amazon

This ATX breakout board supports 3.3V, 5V, 12V and also a 1.8V-
10.8V adjustable output voltage (ADJ). The output voltage is shown
on a small LED screen and you can adjust it easily by turning the
adjustable voltage knob.

Furthermore, this breakout board is polyvalent and offers many

connector types such as an USB port supplying 5V. The voltage
output terminals of this ATX breakout board are also compatible
with banana plug connectors. This is really useful if you want to
use alligator clips to easily connect it to any electronic device.

These Alligator Clips with Banana Connectors can be Used with

the ATX Breakout Board

The only minor downside of this ATX breakout board is the rated
current capacity. This ATX breakout board can only supply 3 Amp
or 24W. Nevertheless, this board is perfect to use with small
electronic appliances drawing less current. In addition, this ATX
breakout board has a reset protection.

The overall design of this board is well thought and this is by far
the best one on the market. The breakout board is supplied with
an acrylic case to protect it. There are also magnets at the bottom
of the board, which makes it very convenient to fix it to the ATX
PSU.

In conclusion, this ATX breakout board is the best option for a

benchtop power supply with adjustable voltage. The USB
connector and the banana plug compatibility make it very
convenient to use for electronics that require less than 3 Amp or
24W power. I would highly recommend this ATX breakout board!

Pros:

-Adjustable voltage output with knob and LED screeen(1.8V-10.8V)

-USB port

-Can be used with alligator clips

-Acrylic protective case

Cons:

-Low current capacity 3 Amp or 24W

I hope that you found it guide useful. Don’t forget to check my

previous posts to see how I used it to build a homemade
thermoelectric Peltier cooler or a homemade humidifier using an
ultrasonic mist maker.

Check this digital oscilloscope from

Siglent Technologies on Amazon

Warning and disclaimer

ATX PSU can deliver enough current to cause serious injuries or

death. I am not responsible for any accidents or damages. Feel free
to use the affiliated links presented on this page. The prices are the
same, it is anonymous, and this way you can support the making
of these videos.

Categories: Electricity & Electronics

Tags: Electronics, Power supply, review, voltage

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