How Do You Convert A Computer ATX Power Supply To A Lab Power Supply?
Computer power supplies cost around US$30,but lab power supplies can run you $100 or more! By converting the cheap (free) ATX power supplies that can be found in any discarded computer, you can get a phenomenal lab power supply with huge current outputs, short circuit protection, and very tight voltage regulation. • Unplug the power cord from the back of the computer. “Harvest” a power supply from a computer by opening up the case of the computer, locating the gray box that is the power supply unit, tracing the wires from the power supply to the boards and devices and disconnecting all the cables by unplugging them. • Remove the screws (typically 4) that attach the power supply to the computer case and remove the power supply. • Cut off the connectors (leave a few inches of wire on the connectors so that you can use them later on for other projects). • Discharge the power supply by either letting it sit unconnected for a few days. Some people suggest attaching a 10 ohm resistor between
• Unplug the power cord from the back of the computer. “Harvest” a power supply from a computer by opening up the case of the computer, locating the gray box that is the power supply unit, tracing the wires from the power supply to the boards and devices and disconnecting all the cables by unplugging them. • Remove the screws (typically 4) that attach the power supply to the computer case and remove the power supply. • Cut off the connectors (leave a few inches of wire on the connectors so that you can use them later on for other projects). • Discharge the power supply by letting it sit unconnected for a few days. Some people suggest attaching a 10 ohm resistor between a black and red wire (from the power cables on the output side), however this is only guaranteed to drain the low voltage capacitors on the output – which aren’t dangerous to begin with! It could leave the high-voltage capacitors charged, resulting in a potentially dangerous – or even lethal – situation. • Gather the par
• Look online or at your local computer store for an ATX computer power supply. Or, dismantle an old computer and remove the power supply from the case. • Unplug the power cable from the power supply and turn off the switch on the back (if there is one). Also, be sure you are grounded so that you don’t introduce any static electricity and fry everything. • Remove the screws that attach the power supply to the computer case and remove the power supply. • Cut off the connectors (leave a few inches of wire on the connectors so that you can use them later on for other projects). • Discharge the power supply by letting it sit unconnected for a few days. Some people suggest attaching a 10 ohm resistor between a black and red wire (from the power cables on the output side), however this is only guaranteed to drain the low voltage capacitors on the output – which aren’t dangerous to begin with! It could leave the high-voltage capacitors charged, resulting in a potentially dangerous – or even l
• Look online or at your local computer store for an ATX computer power supply, or dismantle an old computer and remove the power supply from the case. • Unplug the power cable from the power supply and turn off the switch on the back (if there is one). Also, be sure you are grounded so that you don’t introduce any static electricity and fry everything. • Remove the screws that attach the power supply to the computer case and remove the power supply. • Cut off the connectors (leave a few inches of wire on the connectors so that you can use them later on for other projects). • Discharge the power supply by letting it sit unconnected for a few days. Some people suggest attaching a 10 ohm resistor between a black and red wire (from the power cables on the output side), however this is only guaranteed to drain the low voltage capacitors on the output – which aren’t dangerous to begin with! It could leave the high-voltage capacitors charged, resulting in a potentially dangerous – or even le
