Testing PSU

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I bought a PSU and it's on it's way. It will more than likely be for a Haswell build, but until that time I need to test it for any buzzing noises, etc. Is there any way I can test it? I think I have one of those 24pin adapters that will enable it to turn on.. :hmm:

edit; just not feelin the disassembling of my current rig to tests it

 

[bryanl]

The only way to test it is with a similar motherboard or with dummy loads consisting of low voltage incandescent lamps, high power resistors, or MOSFETs.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Ok, thanks. I'll just have to break-her down for a day then

 

[2timer]

The only way to test it is with a similar motherboard or with dummy loads consisting of low voltage incandescent lamps, high power resistors, or MOSFETs.

Ummm, what?

No, not really. Testing a PSU isn't too hard. All you need is a multimeter. You jump two pins on the ATX connector, then you just test the volts at each pin.

I forgot the two pins you need to jump, you can Google it, I'm just lazy.

Edit : Here ya go: you short pins 15 and 16, then go to town

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/power-supply-test-multimeter.htm

 

[Blain]

"I highly recommend you continue testing to confirm that it can operate properly under a load."

 

[nightspydk]

You can get a psu tester but right to test the amp you need to do something like bryan says. That's technical but google would come in handy.

Not for the normal user that procedure.

 

[crashtech]

Ummm, what?

No, not really. Testing a PSU isn't too hard. All you need is a multimeter. You jump two pins on the ATX connector, then you just test the volts at each pin.

I forgot the two pins you need to jump, you can Google it, I'm just lazy.

Edit : Here ya go: you short pins 15 and 16, then go to town

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/power-supply-test-multimeter.htm

If you work on enough stuff, you'll eventually find the above procedure to be a wholly inadequate test of a power supplies functionality, let alone suitability to carry a particular load. For most of us, the only way to rule on a possibly bad power supply is to have a beefy known-good one available to swap in, assuming the bad one didn't fry anything on its way out. I'll never forget my first experience with a bad power supply, fried everything in the box, but not before it caused the optical drive to eject its tray. It was like the computer stuck its tongue out as it died.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I'm just going to pull the plugs from the old PSU and install the plugs/connectors from the new PSU without installing the entire PSU and routing the cables. The PSU is known to have coil whine so before I let this one sit without testing it before I change out my platform, i'm going to do what I have to do and see what's what.

 

[crashtech]

That's a good idea.

 

[bryanl]

The only way to test it is with a similar motherboard or with dummy loads consisting of low voltage incandescent lamps, high power resistors, or MOSFETs.

Ummm, what?

No, not really. Testing a PSU isn't too hard. All you need is a multimeter. You jump two pins on the ATX connector, then you just test the volts at each pin.

I forgot the two pins you need to jump, you can Google it, I'm just lazy.

Edit : Here ya go: you short pins 15 and 16, then go to town

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/power-supply-test-multimeter.htm

I suggested testing with a motherboard, but the link describes testing with a motherboard.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Just got it in today. No need to test it. Plugged it in (to the wall) without anything plugged into the mother-board. Outlet is properly grounded. If I put my ear up close to the body I can hear a faint buzzing noise. Sad too cause it's from a top tier PSU maker. RMA here I come, sigh.

 

[crashtech]

To tell the truth, that test has never been one of my criteria. I don't even know if any of my PSUs are making a noise that is virtually inaudible. Is this for a silent HTPC? Is the noise audible if the unit is mounted in a case, and does this necessarily indicate a defect?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I have 2 machines and one uses the same brand, the other is another. Both do not make any noise in this state. I understand that I could be perfectly fine, and it probably wouldn't be audible in the back of my case from where my desk & chair are but what if that noise gets progressively louder over a few yrs? It'll still be under warranty but i don't want to roll the dice like that.

EDIT: it might even get louder under load *shrugs*

 

[jaqie]

psus were never designed to operate without a load. what you are doing is operating it in standby without a load. even +5Vsb requires a load. plug it into an old mobo you don't care about, and try again. If the buzzing persists then I would say you are ok to RMA reasonably.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

psus were never designed to operate without a load. what you are doing is operating it in standby without a load. even +5Vsb requires a load. plug it into an old mobo you don't care about, and try again. If the buzzing persists then I would say you are ok to RMA reasonably.

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try..

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I hear a louder pitched whine that follows the glowing strobe coming from my E760 A1 Evga mobo. I can't turn it off either :T

 

[electronicmaji2]

They have machines that can test them. I know a local shop here lets you use one for 5 bucks.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

They have machines that can test them. I know a local shop here lets you use one for 5 bucks.

Hi. Hah, thanks but you are a little late the the party

Welcome to the Anandtech forums btw :thumbsup:

 

[jaqie]

and you are a little late with the welcome, join date 2007 and you just now welcomed them?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

nothing wrong with another welcoming, haha

 

[garym]

I bought a basic cheap power supply tester



referral link deleted

 

[jaqie]

I bought a basic cheap power supply tester and it can check everything

No, it can't. Not even close.

 

[garym]

No, it can't. Not even close.

Very true...should not have said "everything". However, it is a quick test to see if something is wrong without jeopardizing hardware .

 

[crashtech]

I have one of those little checkers. Quit using it a long time ago. I have some old mobo/CPU/RAM combos sitting like books on a shelf ready to grab for such testing. No problem if one of them dies during testing.

 

[jaqie]

yah, old p4 stuff is perfect testing fodder!