How PC Power Supplies Work

How PC Power Supplies Work

How PC Power Supplies Work

If there is any one component that is totally important to the functioning of a computer, it's the power supply. A computer, without it is just a lifeless box full of metal and plastic. It converts the alternating current (AC) line starting from your residence to the direct current (DC) required by the personal computer.

In personal computer hardware, the power supply is the metal box generally found in a corner of the case. It is noticeable from the back of several systems because it contains the power cord container and the cooling fan. Power supplies, frequently referred to as "switching power supplies", use switcher technology to convert the AC input to lower DC voltages. The typical voltages supplied are: 3.3 volts, 5 volts and 12 volts.

The 3.3 and 5 volts are normally used by digital circuits, whereas the 12 volt is used to run motors in fans and disk drives. The main specification of a power supply is in watts. Voltage has a product known as watt in volts and the current in amperes or amps. If you have been using a PC for several years, you would possibly remember that the original PCs had large red toggle switches that had a good bit of heft to them. When you turned the PC on or off, you knew that you were doing it. These switches in reality restricted the flow of 120 volt power to the supply.

These days you can turn on the power with a little push button and turn off the machine with a menu option. These capabilities were added to standard power supplies many years ago. The online storage capability has also increased with this addition. The operating system could send a signal to the supply to tell it to turn off. A 5 volt signal is sent by the push button to the power supply to tell it when to turn on. Its also comprises of a circuit through which 5 volts of current is supplied, known as VSB for stand-in voltage even when it's officially off, so that the button functions.

Understanding of computer hardware is necessary because any problem in the hardware will directly affect the functioning of the software and the computer. Each component is as important as the other. All the elements have specific function and role to play in order to make the computer work. Good hardware builds a good computer.

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