How to test PSU?

[gamer12]

Hey,
I am spreading the purchase of parts for my PC over 2-3 months. I got the case (P180) and PSU (crosair 520-HX). What is a easy way to test if the PSU is working??

Thanks, Vidur

 

[Matthias99]

You can use a paper clip to ground the power switch wire (green) to one of the 'ground' wires (black) momentarily. This will cause it to turn on (or off, if it's already on.) Don't leave the paper clip in there, since this may cause some PSUs to switch on and off repeatedly, potentially damaging something.

Note that some PSUs do not like starting up with no load attached. Also, this won't tell you if the PSU is actually outputting 'good' power, or can take its rated load. In theory you could check this with a voltmeter, but you may not get accurate results with nothing hooked up.

The last time I was at CompUSA I saw a PSU tester that at least claimed to check the voltages (it had little red/green lights for +3.3V, +5V, +12V). No clue how well it works.

 

[sjandrewbsme]

There's working and working...

You can buy a tester that will test the voltages and currrent of the rails (I suppose you could do this with a multimeter).

To make sure it's functional (i.e. it works at all and will turn on) you can short the green wire in the 24 pole connector to any adjacent black wire with a jumper. That will turn the PSU on and make sure it's minimally functional.

 

[gamer12]

Thanks! Let me go look for the tester

 

[Twofootputt]

Originally posted by: sjandrewbsme
There's working and working...

You can buy a tester that will test the voltages and currrent of the rails (I suppose you could do this with a multimeter).

To make sure it's functional (i.e. it works at all and will turn on) you can short the green wire in the 24 pole connector to any adjacent black wire with a jumper. That will turn the PSU on and make sure it's minimally functional.

Try that with a fan in the circuit to put a light load on the PSU.

 

[Farmer]

Or, you can plug it in to the PC you are currently using.

 

[engiNURD]

Originally posted by: Farmer
Or, you can plug it in to the PC you are currently using.

Hehe, this is actually the best way to see if its "working." Get a multimeter to find out how well its working, lol.

 

[gamer12]

 

[gamer12]

Hey,

Thanks for all the advice. I got ANTEC ATX12V 2.0 P/S TESTER from amazon. Its easy to use and yes, the PSU works good.