Introduction:
Computer components need a direct current (DC) electrical power source to perform their
functions. However, local electricity companies provide alternating current (AC) electrical
voltage, i.e. alternating current only. Therefore, the alternating voltage that we receive from the
electricity company must be converted to direct voltage (DC) to suit the computer components.
The power supply unit in the computer converts the alternating voltage (AC) to direct voltage
(DC).
Not all computer components need the same value of direct voltage. Some need 3.3 volts, such
as the processor or memory, and some need 5 volts and 12 volts, such as disk drives. The
power supply unit also provides a direct voltage of -5 and -12 volts to feed some old control
cards that need these values.
Definition of Power Supply
There are several designs for power supplies, including:
The power supply is inside a metal box called (Case) that contains components responsible for
distributing electrical power to all computer components, such as the processor, disk drives, and
fans.
A power supply that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) using electrical
transformers and voltage regulators.
An external power supply that receives alternating current of 120 or 240 volts and outputs it at
different voltages such as 3.3V, 5V, 12V, -5V, -12V depending on the needs of the computer
components.
Power supplies come in different capacities, with units of 350 watts and others of up to 1200
watts or more depending on the needs of the device. The power supply can be seen installed
inside the computer case, and usually contains a cooling fan and various connection ports to
distribute power to the electronic components.
Components of Power Supply Unit – PSU and How it work?
In the previous pictures: You can see three electrical transformers in the browser. These are the
transformers that reduce the variable voltage to the values required by the computer components. Also,
we see on the left two cylindrical circular capacitors. These capacitors are used in smoothing circuits. We
also see two large pieces of aluminum that are used to dissipate heat to cool the board. The aluminum
piece on the left has a number of transistors installed. This transistor is responsible for chopping the
voltage and providing a high-frequency voltage to the electrical transformers. The aluminum piece on
the right has the diodes installed that are responsible for unifying the variable voltage and converting it
to a direct voltage.
Power Supply Voltage
The voltage and current values that can be input to the power supply units as well as the values
that they provide.
The voltage and current values that the power supply unit provides are usually written on a label
attached to one of the sides of the power supply unit box, and they vary according to the type of
power supply unit.
This picture shows a power supply unit labeled with the voltage and current values input to the
power supply unit, as well as the voltage and current output from the power supply unit.
Distribution of power consumption for devices in the computer
Each wire coming out of the Power Supply has an important and unique function, which varies
according to its type and the distribution of the parts connected to it.
**The following table shows the power consumption of some different computer components:
| **Device** | **Power (consumption in watts - W)** |
|Intel Celeron Socket 478 | 45W-65W |
| ATX motherboard | 40W-65W |
| PC133 RAM | 12W |
| PC2100+ DDR RAM | 10W |
| PC3200+ DDR2 RAM | 7.5W |
| CD-ROM drive | 20W |
| CD-RW drive | 30W |
| DVD-ROM drive | 25W |
| 5,400RPM IDE hard drive | 15W |
| 7,200RPM IDE hard drive | 25W |
| Floppy drive | 5W |
| Network card or modem | 5W |
| Sound card | 7-18W |
| SCSI controller card | 25W |
| FireWire or USB 2.0 controller card | 40W |
| USB device | 5W |
| FireWire device | 8W |
| CPU or case fan | 2W |
Power Supply Types
You should be aware as a user of at least two types of power supplies (Power Supply). The power
adapters used in the computer provide the necessary power for operation and the motherboard. As it is
known that Power Supply can change its type depending on the type of motherboard (Motherboard).
The following are these types and the most commonly used:
1- AT Power Supply
This type of power supply was the most common and used, and appeared since the mid-nineties. But
after 1995, this type was no longer able to meet the needs of Memory Modules, Processor, and
Expansion Slots, which led to its gradual replacement.
2- Baby AT
It has the same characteristics as the previous unit but smaller in size.
3- ATX Power Supply
This type is considered a modern standard for desktop computer architecture, and is currently the most
widely used. One of its features is that it does not require an on/off switch, but is controlled
electronically.
The Power Supply is installed as a unit connected to the Motherboard, and there are different types of it
according to different systems such as Intel ATX Motherboards.
It was produced within the Pentium Pro series to provide better energy efficiency.
What is the main difference between AT and ATX as a design used in motherboards?
In ATX, cards and accessories can be easily installed without the need to modify the internal structure of
the computer, unlike AT.
In addition, ATX Power Supply is characterized by the ability to electronically control the operation of
the computer without the need for a mechanical switch.
ATX Power Supply uses only one power connection, which is 20 or 24 PIN Power Connector,
while AT contains several connections.
ATX Power Supply provides 3.3V as a power source for modern ICs, while AT needed an
external Regulator to provide this voltage.
One of the most important things that appeared in ATX technology is the Soft Switch, which
allows you to control the process of turning on and off the computer via Software or the main
board, while in AT a mechanical technology was used to open and close the device.
Previously, it was necessary to press the Power button to completely turn off the device, but
with Soft Switch it became possible to turn on the computer in Standby mode to be activated
from the network using the Wake On LAN feature.
In modern motherboards, power is connected via the 24 PIN connector, while old boards used
the 20 PIN connector.
Power Supply Connectors Recommendations and Wires
Before connecting the wires, there are several things to consider:
How is the Power Supply connected directly or indirectly?
Are the electrical components connected directly to the power supply, or are they connected via
the motherboard?
There are different types of connectors to supply Motherboard, Hard Disk, and other
components.
Make sure the Power Supply is compatible with the computer specifications before installation.
As for the wires in the Power Supply, each one has a specific function and voltage output. They
are as follows:
Yellow = 12V+
It is used to transfer voltage to the Hard Disk, Fans, Cooling Device, and System Bus Slots.
Red = 5V+
It is used to supply the Motherboard, CPU, and many computer components.
Orange = 3.3V+
It is used to supply some modern equipment such as CPU and some types of Memory (RAM)
such as SDRAM and AGP graphics cards.
White (White) = -5V
Used in some electronic circuits that are mounted on the ISA Slot and some types of PROM
memory.
Blue (Blue) = -12V
Used in some serial ports such as Serial Ports, and some types of PROM.
Green (Green) = Power On
This wire is responsible for turning on or off the computer's primary current.
Black (Black) = Ground (COM)
Used as a ground socket to complete electrical circuits with other voltages.
Gray (Gray) = Good Power Line
It is the wire responsible for checking the stability of the current and disconnecting the power if
an electrical fault or short circuit occurs in the (Short Circuit) circuit.
Purple (Purple) = Standby
This wire provides a permanent voltage that enables the device to be kept in standby mode.
Brown = 3.3V+ Remote Sensing
This wire is used for sensing, as it adjusts the voltage difference precisely when needed.
Good Power
The power supply supplies the power needed to operate the motherboard and other components in the
computer. However, it also sends a very important signal to the motherboard, which is PWR OK Power
Good in ATX power supplies.
When the computer is turned on, the power supply automatically checks whether the required input
and output voltages are correct. If they are not, it will not send a Power Good signal to the
motherboard, meaning that the power supply can be relied upon. If this signal is sent and is in
the (OFF) state, the CPU timing will interrupt this (Power Good) signal and send a (RESET) command.
The BIOS is also executed at this stage, and if this signal is encountered and is in the OFF state, the front
I/O module will spin the drives and the power supply fan, but the BIOS will never reach its end and will
remain stuck at this stage.
Power Supply Unit - Wattage Power
The power of a power supply is measured in watts. Personal computers require sufficient power to
operate properly. A personal computer with two hard drives and a CD-ROM drive requires 115 to 130
watts while running. While it requires 200 watts when booting.
So the power supply should have a power greater than 200 watts. Most power supplies have a power
of 230 to 250 watts.
Just in case, this power is enough even if you add more devices in the future.
Power Supply Fan
Each power supply unit has a cooling fan. The power supply fan cools the computer, so if it stops
spinning, it can cause major problems.
If you notice that you can't hear the fan when you turn on your computer, it's broken and should be
replaced before you turn on your computer again.
This fan not only cools the voltage regulator within the power supply units, it also provides a constant
flow of cool air through the computer case. Without this current, the electronic chips inside the
computer case quickly overheat and fail.
Common faults in the power supply unit - Power Supply Crash
Q/ How do you know if the power supply Power Supply is working or not?
A/ This is when you press the power button on the device. If it does not work, there are three
possibilities:
The first possibility: The fault is in the power supply Power Supply!!! How do you make sure???
We unscrew all the power supply plugs from the Hard Disk and the Motherboard and the laser drives
and fans.
Then we use the motherboard meter, and connect a small wire in the green wire input with the black
wire input as in the following picture.
If the power supply fan works, then it is fine, otherwise it is faulty and must be repaired or replaced.
Second possibility: The fault may be in the motherboard, in which case it must be repaired or replaced.
Third possibility: It is from the power button (device power button), the fault is that the place of the
computer power button has been replaced with a restart button to replace the device power.
This is done by opening the cover, then disconnecting the device power button socket, and moving it to
the restart button port, then unscrew the restart button scale, and when you want to turn on the device,
press the restart button to turn on the device.
Also, one of the most common and famous faults in Power Supply is a faulty fuse in the power supply.
It is located in the power supply as in the following picture:
What is the reason that led to its failure?
It is a high electric current entering the power supply (Power Supply) or the electricity was suddenly
disconnected from it and then returned quickly, so you must change the fuse instead of the faulty
fuse!!!
Also, one of the common faults is fan failure, so you must change it immediately so that the rest of the
computer parts do not fail due to excessive heat.
