subject: Power Supply Unit Repair [print this page] A power supply is normally a hardware device that provides power to an electrical component. It obtains power from an electrical outlet and changes the current from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current), which is what the computer needs. It also adjusts the voltage to a reasonable amount, which lets the computer run efficiently without the risk of getting too hot and overheating. The power supply is a core element of any computer system and needs to function correctly for all of the other parts to work properly.
You can easily find the power supply on a system unit by just locating the input where the power cord is connected. Without having to go deeper and actually open your computer, this is usually the only section of the power supply you will see. If you maybe did remove the power supply, it would appear as a metal box with a fan in it and a number of cables connected. Although, you shouldn't ever have to remove the power supply in any way, so it's wise to keep it in the casing.
Seeing as the power supply is the initial place an electronic device attains electricity, it is also the most at risk to power surges and spikes. So, power supplies are built to be able to manage changes in electrical current and still offer and provide a controlled or efficient power output. A few have fuses that will blow out if the electrical power is too great, safeguarding all of the other equipment. After all, it is a lot more cost effective to swap a power supply than a whole computer. However, it is sensible to attach all electronic equipments to a power or surge protector or UPS to prevent them from being broken by electrical power surges.
While most computers have internal power supplies, a number of electronic devices use external ones. For instance, a few monitors and external hard drives have power supplies that remain outside of the main computer unit. These supplies of power are attached directly to the cable that connects to the wall. They sometimes involve a different cable that attaches the device to the supply of power. A number of power supplies, often referred to as "AC adaptors," are attached straight to the plug (which can make them hard to plug in where area is scarce). Each of these designs let the foremost device be slightly smaller or sleeker by moving the power supply to the outside.
