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Power supply ABCs
Power supply form factors
Power management
Power supply connections
Checking voltage levels
Power supply connector
Technical support
Power definitions

POWER SUPPLY ABCs

Supplies power throughout the computer. Power supplies convert potentially lethal 110-115 or 220-230 volt alternating current (AC) into a steady low-voltage direct current (DC) usable by the computer. A power supply is rated by the number of watts it generates.

WARNING: Do not open the power supply, it contains capacitors which can hold Electricity (WHICH CAN KILL) even if the computer is power off for a week, if not longer. If you do open it, WHICH IS NOT RECOMMENDED, take all precautions and ensure you work with one arm behind your back to direct the electricity away from the heart. Also ensure that you have no jewelry on (such as a watch or rings). However, again, THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED, and still cannot protect you 100% and is still potentially dangerous. Because of these precautions, no extensive information will be found on this page about opening power supplies.

POWER SUPPLY FORM FACTORS

Currently in the industry there are eight power supply form factors. Each of these form factors can have various amounts of configurations and power output levels.

Power management was designed for convenience as it easier to have your computer go into power standby and be able to press a key on your keyboard or move your mouse and instantaneously be back where you were and for saving power. This is especially important on portable computers when using the battery as your main power source.

POWER SUPPLY CONNECTOR

The below illustration is the typical female connector which would be used to connect to a device such as a CD-ROM or Hard Drive. This connector is refereed to as a large Molex connector. Additional to these types of connectors you may also find a small Molex which is generally used for the floppy disk drive.