Repairing a computer power supply is not an easy technical task, especially for beginners. Before you begin to solve the problem, you should carefully weigh your strengths and determine what will be more profitable - to troubleshoot or purchase a new device.
The computer power supply should be repaired only with full confidence that this particular element has failed. In the event of a complex breakdown, it will be cheaper to replace the device with a new one that has similar characteristics than to repair a faulty one.
Before performing work, you should remember about safety measures, since the components of the power supply can be energized even after turning off the computer. Before you start repairing the power supply, you need to remember a few basic rules. Firstly, the device must be connected to an outlet through an automatic fuse, which must not withstand currents of more than two amperes.
It should be remembered that electrolytic capacitors located on the unit retain their charge even after the device is turned off from the network. Therefore, when repairing the computer power supply at home, it is necessary to remove the electricity charge accumulated by them from the capacitors.
This can be done by connecting to a resistance element with a volume of several kOhm or an incandescent lamp using a voltage of 220 V.
All work can be performed only after disconnecting the device from the mains. An exception may be testing for voltage measurement.
When repairing a computer power supply unit, it is necessary to know the malfunctions that can be easily detected and eliminated with the same success. The first thing to do when getting started is to check the voltage on the purple wire, which leads to the device’s largest connector. Then you need to check the operability of the high voltage transformer.
To perform this operation, you just need to insert the plug into the socket. If characteristic sounds in the form of clicks are heard, slight sparking is noticeable, then with high probability it is possible to judge the integrity of the high-voltage part of the device.
After opening the case, make sure that the fuse is in normal condition. If it burns out, then you need to replace it with a similar element in voltage and current.
A very vulnerable part of the device are electrolytic capacitors. Many failures are associated with their malfunction. The defectiveness of the product can be determined visually by leakage of electrolyte or by bloating of the housing. These parts are soldered and replaced with the same in terms of parameters. If thermal or mechanical defects, blackening are visible, then repair of computer equipment and replacement of damaged components will also be required.
The most time-consuming elements of installation complexity are microchips and transformers. When they fail, in most cases, repair and replacement is not economically feasible; it is better to purchase a new power supply.