POWER SUPPLY COMPUTER SYSTEMS

SERVICING
POWER SUPPLY UNIT
(PSU)
Also known as a power pack or power converter

A piece of hardware that is used to convert the power provided

from the outlet into usable power for the many parts inside the
computer case.

It converts the alternating current (AC) into a continuous form off

power that the computer components need in order to run normally,
called direct current (DC).

It regulates overheating by controlling voltage, which may change

automatically or manually depending on the power supply
CAUTION!!!
NEVER OPEN THE CASING OF THE POWER
SUPPLY. IT CONTAINS CAPACITORS THAT
ARE CAPABLE OF HOLDING A STRONG
ELECTRICAL CHARGE, EVEN IF THE
COMPUTER IS OFF AND UNPLUGGED FOR
AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

IT IS CONSIDERED AS A FIELD
REPLACEABLE UNIT (FRU)
 PARTS FOUND AT THE BACK OF A POWER
SUPPLY
POWER CONNECTION

FA RED
N SWITC
H

ROCKER
SWITCH
PARTS FOUND AT THE BACK OF A POWER
SUPPLY

POWER CONNECTION FOR THE POWER

CORD
A FAN OPENING TO DRAW AIR OUT OF
THE POWER SUPPLY
A RED SWITCH TO CHANGE THE POWER
SUPPLY VOLTAGE
A ROCKER SWITCH TO TURN THE POWER
SUPPLY ON AND OFF
CONNECTORS
ORIGINAL PC MAIN
POWER CABLES

The original PC debuted in 1981 and used two cables to connect the PSU
(power supply) to the motherboard. The two cables plug side by side into
the motherboard connectors.
 ATX 20-PIN MAIN POWER
CABLE

In 1996 PC makers started switching to the ATX standard which defined a new 20-
pin motherboard power connector. This connector is polarized so it can only be
plugged in pointing in the correct direction.
 ATX 24-PIN MAIN POWER
CABLE

The 24 pin main power connector was added to provide extra power needed by PCI
Express slots.
ATX 20+4 PIN MAIN
POWER CABLE

Many power supplies come with a 20+4 cable which is compatible with both 20 and
24 pin motherboards. A 20+4 power cable has two pieces: a 20 pin piece, and a 4 pin
piece. If you leave the two pieces separate then you can plug the 20 pin piece into a
20 pin motherboard and leave the 4 pin piece unplugged.
 6-PIN AUXILIARY POWER
CABLE

The aux power cable was added to provide extra wattage to motherboards for 3.3
and 5 volts. This connector is rarely used anymore.
4-PIN ATX +12 VOLT
POWER CABLE

Used to provide additional voltage for the CPU.

8-PIN ATX +12 VOLT
POWER CABLE

Used to provide additional voltage for the multiple CPUs.

8-PIN PCI EXPRESS VOLT
POWER CABLE

Used to provide supplemental power to video cards.

6-PIN PCI EXPRESS VOLT
POWER CABLE

Used to provide extra 12 volt power to PCIe expansion cards.

 4-PIN PERIPHERAL
POWER CABLE

It was used for optical drives and hard disks. It's still around and is now also used for
all kinds of things including add-on fans, extra video card power, supplemental
motherboard power, and case lighting. It's old as but is still very widely used. The
connector is shaped so that it only fits in one way. You don't have to worry about
inserting it the wrong way. Commonly referred to as Molex.
 FLOPPY DRIVE POWER
CABLE

The four pin floppy drive cable showed up when PCs started including 3.5 inch
floppy drives. It is built with small connectors and wires so they are limited to
relatively low current uses. The connector is shaped so that it only fits in one way.
You don't have to worry about inserting it the wrong way. Commonly referred to as
Berg Connector.
 SATA POWER CABLE

SATA was introduced to upgrade the ATA interface (also called IDE) to a more
advanced design. SATA includes both a data cable and a power cable. The power
cable replaces the old 4 pin peripheral cable. The connector is shaped so it can only
be plugged in the correct way.
LET’S REVIEW!
WHAT DOES PSU
STANDS FOR?
POWER SUPPLY
UNIT
WHAT ARE THE OTHER
NAMES FOR PSU?

POWER PACK OR
POWER CONVERTER
 WHAT DOES A
POWER SUPPLY DO?

CONVERT AC TO DC
REGULATES OVERHEATING BY
CONTROLLING THE AMOUNT OF VOLTAGE
 IS IT ADVISABLE TO
OPEN AND REPAIR A
PSU?

NO, BECAUSE PSU IS

CONSIDERED AS A FIELD
REPLACEABLE UNIT
 WHAT IS THE MEANING
OF FIELD
REPLACEABLE UNIT?

COMPONENTS ARE MEANT TO BE

REPLACED INSTEAD OF BEING
REPAIRED
 CAN YOU
REPLACE THE
AMOUNT OF
VOLTAGE IN A
POWER
YES. AS LONG SUPPLY?
AS THE POWER
SUPPLY HAS A RED SWITCH.