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ATX Power Supply Tester

Checks all voltages

ATX Power Supply Tester
ATX Power Supply Tester

PC power supplies can often be bought cheaply at places such as computer fairs. But it isn’t that easy to check if such a (second hand) power supply still works properly. This dedicated tester makes that job quick and straightforward.
Apart from the power supply and this tester, you’ll only need a mains cable (and socket!). All outputs from the power supply can be tested under load and any deviations from the nominal values are shown on 6 LEDs. Although the power supply in a PC has little bearing on its overall speed, there are times when it needs to be replaced. This may be because the old power supply has simply given up the ghost, and sometimes the internal fan has become too noisy, or an upgrade of the PC has increased the power requirements above that what the old power supply can deliver.

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Materials

Gerber file

CAM/CAD data for the PCB referred to in this article is available as a Gerber file. Elektor GREEN and GOLD members can exclusively download these files for free as part of their membership. Gerber files allow a PCB to be produced on an appropriate device available locally, or through an online PCB manufacturing service.

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PCB

Component list

Resistors:
R1,R2 = 2Ohm 2 10W
R3,R4 = 3Ohm 3 10W
R5,R6 = 22Ohm 10W
R7 = 33Ohm 5W
R8 = 33Ohm 10W
R9 = 10Ohm 5W
R10,R13-R27,R42,R43,R49,R51-R54,R57,R58,R59 = 1kOhm
R11,R12 = 10 kOhm
R28 = 3kOhm 3
R29 = 28kOhm 7
R30,R31,R34,R38 = 100 kOhm
R32 = 15kOhm
R33 = 365kOhm
R35 = 200kOhm R36 = 27kOhm
R37 = 453kOhm
R39,R40 = 10kOhm 0
R41 = 4kOhm 99
R44 = 1MOhm
R45,R46 = 499Ohm
R47 = 1kOhm 00
R48 = 7kOhm 87
R50 = 820Ohm
R55 = 100Ohm
R56 = 470Ohm
R60,R61 = 12kOhm
P1 = 250Ohm preset
P2 = 1kOhm preset
Capacitors:
C1,C2 = 220nF
C3...C5 = 100nF
C6 = 100pF
Semiconductors:
D1,D2,D5,D6,D8 = LED, red, low-current
D3 = LED, green, low-current
D4,D7 = LED, yellow, low-current
T1 = BC547B
IC1 = TS922IN (ST Microelectronics, Farnell # 332-6275)
IC2 = 74HC4053
IC3 = TS924IN (ST Microelectronics, Farnell # 332-6299)
IC4 = LM4041DIZ_ADJ (National Semiconductor, Farnell # 271-263)
Miscellaneous:
K1 = 24-way angled ATX header, PCB mount (Molex 39291248, Farnell # 413-8508)
K2 = 26-way boxheader (2x13)
S1 = 2 pole 6 position rotary switch, PCB mount
S2 = on/off switch, 1 contact
Optionally:
M1 = 31/2-digit LCD voltmeter module, range 0-20 V (e.g., Farnell # 422-0146)
Enclosure: e.g., type 1455L1601BK (Hammond Manufacturing)

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