PSU Basics
Much like the human heart, this active hardware component converts electrical power from an outlet into the exact forms a PC's components require.
What is a Power Supply Unit (PSU)?
In 1800, this inventor created the first battery, which successfully provided the world's first steady flow of electrical current.
Who is Alessandro Volta?
During the first step of assembly, these automated factory tools quickly place tiny parts like resistors and microchips onto the circuit board.
What are robotic arms?
If a sudden 1,000-volt lightning surge hits your PC, components like MOVs absorb the spike while this specific protection part sacrifices the PSU and blows a fuse.
What is the OVP?
The PSU acts as a strict security guard, converting wild, back-and-forth Alternating Current from the wall into this steady, one-directional current.
What is Direct Current (DC)?
Proving that mechanical motion can turn into electrical energy, Michael Faraday built the very first one of these devices in 1831.
What is an electric generator?
Larger components, such as capacitors and heat sinks, are pushed through the board and permanently locked in place using this specific machine.
What is a wave-soldering machine?
Generating 57% of the world's electricity, these energy sources emit harmful pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which lead to acid rain and smog.
What are fossil fuels?
Stepping down voltage into precise lines, the PSU uses this specific rail to power the hungriest components, such as the CPU and graphics card.
What is the 12 V Rail?
Invented in 1924 for William Lear's radio, the first-ever power supply was originally known by this "erasing" name.
What is the battery eliminator?
After the circuit board is fully assembled, it is mounted securely inside a heavy-duty enclosure made of this metal.
What is steel?
While it is highly efficient and produces very few greenhouse gases, this power source generates radioactive waste and releases heated water that can damage aquatic ecosystems.
What is nuclear power?
Designed as the standard size for normal desktop computers, this power supply form factor is commonly known by this three-letter acronym.
What is ATX (Advanced Technology eXteneded)?
Introduced in 1977, this computer made PCs consumer-friendly by featuring the first quiet power supply, eliminating the need for noisy, fast cooling fans.
What is the Apple II?
During Burn-In Stress Testing, the power supply is moved to a 40°C–50°C chamber and plugged into heavy simulated loads to run at this capacity for several hours.
What is 100% capacity?
Manufacturing power supplies requires plastic and this highly conductive metal, the mining of which can cause significant damage to land and nearby habitats.
What is copper?
A power supply achieving 90% to 94% conversion efficiency with minimal heat waste will carry one of these two premium 80 PLUS certification tiers.
What are Platinum or Titanium?
In 1958, this specific type of power supply was created to include a switch, offering a way to stop wasting electricity when electrical devices were not in use.
What is a Switch Power Supply (SMPS)?
The final Verification step sends a quick shock through the unit in this type of test to guarantee no dangerous electricity leaks to the metal box.
What is a high-voltage test?
Improperly throwing away old power supplies creates this specific type of harmful waste, which can be reduced by taking the units to proper recycling facilities.
What is e-waste (or electronic waste)?