Power Supply Troubleshooting

Power supply troubleshooting with a multimeter; The function of the power supply units is to supply power to the different devices. The laptops have them externally while in desktop computers, they come in-built.

Sometimes these units may not work as desired either by failing to turn on, or by overheating. If this happens, the users should try trouble shooting it. The best and easy way to troubleshoot these units is by use of a meter.

Power Supply Troubleshooting with a Meter Guidelines

For starters, with power supply troubleshooting, users are required to purchase the right type of meter. There are a variety of them in the market and they should compare them to select the best one for their needs.

It is crucial for all users to understand how these meters work so that they can achieve positive results. The incorrect use of the meter will only lead to its destruction or users can suffer strong electric shock.

With the right meter in hand, the users need to make sure that they have unplugged the computer from the socket and that it does not receive any power. They should also ensure that the voltage selector, situated at the back of the pc, close to the fan is positioned at 115 volt.

Once they have done this, users should check if the fan is working. In case the fan spins, then the power input is operating well. If not, the fan might have a problem or the connector to the main power is not receiving any electric power.

This takes the users to the next step, which involves the use of the meter. The users should set the meter to an Ac level voltage higher than 115 volts to test the outlet. While doing this, users are advised to avoid electrocution by attaching the meter to a power strip that is unplugged before plugging it to the outlet on the wall.

When the outlet shows the adequate supply of power, the users should use the meter to test the power code. In case the power code passes the test but the fan does not spin, it is time for them to get a new power supply unit.

The final step is to test the power of the motherboard. Regardless of the type, the users should make sure they have unplugged the system to any source of power before they start testing.

They should also make sure they have figured out the different pins and their location. When the power levels are lower than 10.5 VDC, users should get a new power supply for their system to function appropriately.

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