Tools

These are some common tools used to work on this device. You might not need every tool for every procedure.

Background and Identification

A power supply is an electronic tool used to supply electrical power to some type of electric load. Power supplies are designed to convert electric current from a source to the correct frequency, voltage, and current to power the desired load. Power supplies are sometimes called electric power converters. While some power supplies are standalone pieces of equipment, others are built into the appliances they are designed to power, such as those found in desktop computers. Power supplies can also be used to limit the current drawn by the load to safer levels, power-factor correction, storing energy, shutting off the current during electrical faults, and power conditioning to prevent voltage surges or electronic noise on the input leading to the load.

All power supplies include a power input connection that receives energy as an electric current from a source. They also include one or more power output connections that deliver current to the desired load. Source power can come from an electric power grid (an electrical outlet), energy storage devices (batteries), generators or alternators, or solar power converters. A power supply’s input and output are generally hardwired circuit connections, though some power supplies use wireless energy transfer to power loads.

A wide range of power supplies are used for a variety of applications. A DC power supply is one that provides a constant DC (direct current) voltage to its load. CD power supplies include AC-to-DC supplies, switched-mode power supplies, capacitive (transformerless) power supplies, and linear regulators. An AC power supply generally takes the voltage from a mains supply (typically a wall outlet) and uses a transformer to step up or down the voltage to the desired voltage value. Programmable power supplies allow the remote control of its operation through an analog input or a digital interface. Users can control voltage, current, and frequency. Other power supply types include uninterruptible power supplies, high-voltage power supplies, and bipolar power supplies.

Additional Information