Ian,

Does the power supply label indicate current capabilities for the various
available voltages? If so, determine the power capability of each voltage
source: P(watts) = E(voltage) x I(current).
The sum of the individual power values should be close to the overall power
capability of the supply.

If there is no nameplate information and the manufacturer can't help, I
would default to the lowest rating to be on the safe side.  Testing a power
supply for power capability would require several resistive load banks,
ammeters, voltmeters, temperature monitoring of components, etc. More time
than the unit is worth, imho...unless however you are interested in digging
in to learn about the inner workings of the supply to advance your own
technical knowledge - that could be time well spent. I have seen some
schematic diagrams on line and heard of some hams converting PC supplies for
radio use. They are an interesting device.

Just beware that several hundred volts can exist around the first rectifier
stage. Making contact can be lethal. Filter capacitors can also store a
charge and cause a shock hazard even when the line cord is disconnected.

HTH,

Jeff Madore - K1LE - CT ><>



----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 5:38 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Power supply query


> I have a power supply (brand name 'SY') which has a label showing that it
> could be either a 200W, a 230W, a 250W or a 300W.
>
> However, the manufacturer failed to tick any of the boxes, so it's not
> obvious which model it might be. Can anyone suggest a method of testing
it's
> capacity?
>
> It works OK, I've checked it's 5v and 12v outputs with a simple tester.
The
> box is open.
>
> Ian Porter
> Computer Guys Inc.
> Arrowtown
> New Zealand
> [log in to unmask]
>
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