Chapter 5

The Power Supply

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 Power Supply
The basic function of power supply is
 Supplying power to the system,
 Convert the type of electrical power available (Alternate Current-AC)
to the type computer circuitry can use (Direct Current).
 Ensures that the system does not run unless power supply is sufficient
to operate the system properly ( the power supply actually prevents
the computer from running (starting up) or operating until all correct
power levels are present, Each power supply completes internal
checks and tests before allowing the system to start.
 If tests are successful, the power supply sends a special signal called
Power Good to the motherboard. If this signal not present, computer
does not run. )

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 Cont…
 The desktop/tower power supply produces four (or five)
different levels of efficiently regulated DC voltage.
 These are +5V, –5V, +12V and –12V. (The ATX design also
provides a +3.3V level to the system board.)
 The power-supply unit also provides the system’s ground. The
+5V level is used by the IC devices on the system board and
adapter cards.
 The +3.3V level is used by the microprocessor.
 The 12V levels are typically used to power the motors used in
hard and floppy disk drives.
 The other power-supply bundles are used to supply power to
optional systems, such as the Disk drives and CD-ROM drives.

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 Cont.…
 +5V: This is a positive 5-volt DC voltage that is commonly used to
power various components in the computer system, such as the
motherboard, memory modules, and peripherals.
 -5V: This is a negative 5-volt DC voltage. While it was previously used
in older computer systems for specific purposes, such as RS-232 serial
communication ports, it is no longer a standard voltage in modern
systems.
 +12V: This is a positive 12-volt DC voltage that is primarily used to
power components that require higher power, such as the CPU
(Central Processing Unit) and high-performance graphics cards. It is an
important voltage for providing power to these power-hungry
components.
 -12V: This is a negative 12-volt DC voltage. Similar to the -5V voltage,
it was used in older systems for specific purposes like RS-232 serial
communication ports, but it is not commonly used in modern systems
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anymore.
 Power Supplier….

Fig PC power supply unit

 Attention: plugging the power connectors in the wrong direction

could damage the computer, Pay attention when you plug.
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 Types of power supplies
There are 2 different types of power supplies that correspond
to 2 different types of motherboards, and hence, case designs.
 1. AT Power Supply &
 2. ATX Power Supply.
 You need to be aware of two basic types of power supplies:
 traditional AT power supplies (designed to support AT-
compatible system boards) and
 ATX power supplies (designed according to newer ATX
design specifications).

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 AT Power Connector
 AT Power Supply This is an older design in which
the connector to the system board uses two 6-pin.
• These connectors are sometimes referred to as P8 and P9.
• Each connector has six pins,
 A pair of connectors-called P8 and P9 link the AT power
supply to the AT motherboard.
 When connecting P8 and P9 to the motherboard, keep the
black ground wires next to each other.
 Be careful!! Incorrectly inserting P8 and P9 can damage
both the power supply and other components in the PC.

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 ATX Power Connector
 ATX Power Supply A newer specification that uses a
single 20 pin connection to the system board
 Both models provide 4 levels of DC voltage. ATX
power supplies add an additional voltage of +3.3V.
 the power supply are color coded with the black one as
the ground wire.
Yellow: +12V Blue: -12V Red: +5V White: -5V
Circuitry (ICs): +/- 5V Motor: +/- 12V
Microprocessor: +3.3V
 ATX uses a single P1 power connector instead of the
P8 and P9 commonly found on AT systems
 P1 connectors include a 3.3-volt wire along with the
standard 5-volt and 12-volt wires
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 Connectors to Peripheral Hardware
 The standard types of connectors used to connect power to
peripheral devices:
 Molex connectors
 Mini connectors

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 Connectors to Peripheral Hardware…
1. Molex Connector
 This is the most commonly used connector.
 Hard disk drives, internal tape drives, CD-ROM drives, DVD
drives, and older 51/4 floppy drives use this power connector. It
has four pins.
2. Mini Connector
 It is used primarily for 3.5 floppy disk drive.
 It has four pins and four wires.
 Connecting the connector backward could damage the system.
 The good thing is it does not fit in the wrong direction

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 Power Failure
 Power supplies are affected by quality of local power
source.
 Common power delivery problems are:
 Spikes
 Surges
 Sags
 Brown outs & black outs

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 Power Failure…
1. Surge
 A brief(sudden) increase in the voltage source.
2. Spikes
 Are very short over voltage conditions.
3. Sags
 A brief decrease of voltage at power source.
4. Brown Outs
 If a sag lasts longer than 1 second, it is called brown out.
 A brownout is basically a voltage drop.
5. Black Outs
 This is a complete power failure.
 This could be caused by equipment failure, or accidental cutting of
power cable. Or due to an imbalance between power generation
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and power consumption.
 Power Control
There are different devices that enable us to control power.
a) UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply):
 A UPS helps in black out situations when the power is gone
totally and brown outs, when voltage is low though there is
power.
 UPS has batteries that provides back up power.
 When the power is gone, the battery provides voltage to the
PC so that you can save your work. But it does not provide
unlimited power.

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 Battery
Battery
 The CMOS chip stores basic system configuration like amount of
memory installed, type of floppy and hard disk drives, type of keyboard
and mouse, etc.
 This battery keeps the time chip running and the CMOS powered.
 Most systems use lithium type battery because they have very long life.
 these chips-battery combinations are installed in a socket on the
motherboard.
 Laptops and portables utilize an external power supply and
rechargeable battery system
 Batteries were typically nickel- cadmium, but newer technologies have
introduced nickel metal-hydride and lithium- ion batteries that provide
extended life and shorter recharge times

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 Cont..
Select batteries
 If you experience problems that you suspect are battery related, exchange the
battery with a known, good battery that is compatible with the laptop.
 If a replacement battery cannot be located, take the battery to an authorized
repair center for testing.
 Guidelines for selecting a replacement battery include that the replacement
battery
1) Matches the model of the laptop,
2) Does it Fit the laptop,
3) Is it compatible with battery connection, and
4) Does it has correct voltage requirements?
NOTE: Always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer when
charging a new battery
CAUTION : Care should always be taken when handling batteries. Batteries can
explode if improperly charged, shorted, or mishandled. Be sure that the battery
charger is designed for the chemistry, size, and voltage of your battery
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 The general power problems can be categorized in three types:
1) Power Quality problem
Possible causes:
 EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference] .
 Variable rate [frequency] from the power line.,
2) Too much power
Possible causes:
 Power spike [for few milliseconds].
 Power surge [for several seconds].
3) No-enough power
Possible causes:
 Power sag [for few milli second]
 Brownout [if sag lasts for longer than a second]
 Blackout [a complete of power failure]

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 Troubleshooting the power supply
Problem
 Monitor's power indicator lights but no power lights on the
system unit.
Solution
 Check the system unit's power connection.
 Check your power supply DC volt outlet.
 Use a replacement method for power supply.
 Check also the motherboard.
Power supply symptoms
 Fan noise sounds rough or louder than usual.
 The power supply chassis is unusually hot to touch.

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 Cont…
General troubleshooting methods
 Check the power cable.
 Check the power supply [you can use a Multi- meter to test electronic
components].
 Check the power outlet voltage.
 Replace the power supply unit.
Problem
 A PC accidentally reboots or shutdown
Solution
 Check your power line.
 Make sure that your power supply is rated [watt" to handle all the
peripherals that it powers [300 watt or above is better]
 Check the power supply fan movement.
 Use a replacement method.

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 Installation/Removal of Power Supply
To remove a power supply from a PC, follow these steps:
 Unplug the computer from the wall
 Disconnect all of the internal power connections (i.e. CD-
ROM, Motherboard, Hard-Disk, etc…)
 Remove the 4 retaining screws
 Pull power supply out of the computer and replace it with
the new one.

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