PSU Testing

[drgnfang]

I've got two power supplies which I don't know if they are good or not. How do I go about testing them? I would rather not have to use my hardware to do it.

Thanks.

 

[davidhammock200]

Good PSU Tester: http://www.antec.com/usa/productDetails.php?lan=us&id=77203

Easy to find: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=PSU tester&bop=And&Order=PRICE

 

[Zero82z]

Unfortunately, PSU testers are not particularly helpful since they do not test voltages while the system is under any load, which can and often does give you an inaccurate picture. The only way to test a PSU with decent accuracy and without expensive equipment is to measure the voltages using a digital multimeter while the PSU is connected to a powered-on PC so it is actually in normal load conditions.

 

[larrymoencurly]

Bent paperclip between green and any black wire, digital multimeter, maybe a hard drive or one or two 10-20 watt, 2-10 ohm resistors as loads. Cheaper than a PSU tester and more accurate.

A CompUSA brand PSU tester once said that my PSU was fine even though the hard drive wouldn't spin due to the +12V rail putting out only 10.6V.

 

[Emzilla]

TekNet has fairly reasonable PSU test equipment, and if they are no good they also offer used/refurbished ones at reasonable prices