Can you test a Power Supply before a build?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
kenshindono

kenshindono

Distinguished
Nov 26, 2004
264
0
18,780
I was just wondering if theres a way to test a power supply to make sure its not defective before doing a build with it. I bought the seasonic snow silent 1050. Unfortunately im waiting on the last few parts before i can build it and if i wait i will be past the 30 day return period on the power supply if theres something wrong.

Is there any way to do a quick test on this power supply to make sure it works/isn't defective? Or do i just have to wait and hope theres no problem when i do the build? I think some higher end powersupplies have some kinda self test button on them dont they?
 
Solution
Eximo
Can actually build a cheap load tester with an amp meter and a few 60 watt light bulbs. Bit impractical but it is what I use to test high performance batteries under load. (Though I use 300W light bulbs)
Sort by date Sort by votes
Onus

Onus

Titan
Jan 27, 2006
37,037
12
89,965
Not really. There are tests that might tell you it is bad (e.g. is missing a "rail"), but without load testing, you won't know that it is good. It's a Seasonic though, which means the likelihood of a bad one is extremely low, and there's always their warranty process.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
giantbucket

giantbucket

Dignified
BANNED
Nov 17, 2013
3,881
1
15,960
[strike]you can load the 12V line, and that's easy (use one of those car battery loads, which is basically a heating coil). but you should also load the 5V and 3V lines (and the -ve rails), at the same time, and that needs more parts.[/strike]

the above is ONLY for the adventurous types.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,388
4,186
174,240
There are some $5 psu testers. But, they are very basic.
If a test fails, you can be certain that the psu is bad.
But if the test passes, all you know is that the psu will work when not under load.


I would not worry, Seasonic is one of the best brands and they will have a lengthy warranty.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
badboyrog2

badboyrog2

Distinguished
Mar 5, 2014
6,953
0
18,960
''you can load the 12V line, and that's easy (use one of those car battery loads, which is basically a heating coil). but you should also load the 5V and 3V lines (and the -ve rails), at the same time, and that needs more parts. ''

DO NOT DO THAT PLEASE..... just install it and see , is under warranty
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
kenshindono

kenshindono

Distinguished
Nov 26, 2004
264
0
18,780
lol, yea im not poking it with a paper clip =P I thought some models had a self test button or something... guess not. So without a bunch of equipment the only way to test it is to actually hook it up and use it i guess?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

BadBoyGreek

Distinguished
May 15, 2014
668
4
19,315


Hey, you asked if there was a way to test - I didn't say it was one you'd be comfortable with :lol:

Testing under full load is the only real way to test under real-world conditions and ascertain its reliability :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Eximo

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador
May 27, 2010
25,973
4,256
139,340
Paperclip method is safe for most power supplies. Especially newer "Haswell" certified power supplies. Some supplies don't operate correctly under a no load condition and will get you strange voltages.

The paperclip method is identical to the way the computers power switch works in any case. When you plug in the supply, and turn on the switch in the back if applicable, it immediately powers up the 5V standby voltage. When this voltage is shorted to ground (via the switch or paper clip) it will turn on the rest of the supply. It does it's own hardware or software POST (Power on self test) and if everything checks out it will start delivering power. (This generally happens so fast you don't notice it) Would need an oscilloscope with logging features to see it happen.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom