Computer Power Supplies

Computer power supplies are designed specifically to power computers and their peripherals.
They convert alternating current (AC) to low-voltage regulated direct current (DC) power
necessary to run computer parts. The most important feature of these power sources is their
efficiency. It is important that the input power to the power supplies is not wasted in heat
generation.

Operation:-

Because efficiency is so important, most of today's computers (including laptops and mobile
devices) use switch mode power supplies (SMPS). These supplies make use of a switching
element or regulator (normally a power transistor) to generate the desired voltage. Switching
power supplies incorporate electronic components that continuously switch ON and OFF at a
very high frequency. This switching action connects and disconnects energy-storing devices
(inductors or capacitors) to and from the input source voltage or the output load. SMPS design
results in a smaller power supply since the size of the power transformers, inductors, and

Compilation and Coordination: - Eng.Osama Ali Abd Al malik

 capacitors is inversely proportional to the switching frequency. Switch-mode operation also
reduces the power consumption because when a switch is OFF, its current is almost zero. When
a switch is ON, its voltage is very small. Therefore at either condition the power consumption is
almost zero. A switching power supply is more efficient than a linear power supply because in a
linear power supply the excess power is wasted (in form of heat) whereas in a SMPS all the
power is used to convert input power into output power. The switching elements,
normally inductors, capacitors, or transistors operating in cut-off or saturation, have no
dissipating resistance so no waste of power occurs.

The most important distinguishable feature of computer power supplies is the form factor; this
specifies the size, shape, and often other features of the device. The form factor must match the
type of motherboard where the power supply is to be installed. There are a variety of computer
motherboard styles and cases available, and typically each has a corresponding power supply
form factor which should be chosen to match.

• ATX - Computer power supply designed specifically for the ATX motherboard. This is a
motherboard designed by Intel to overcome the limitations of the AT motherboard specified by
IBM. There are several modalities of this motherboard. The standard size of an ATX
motherboard is 305 mm by 204 mm.
o Flex ATX - Power supply designed for an ATX variety with a size of 229 mm by 191 mm.
o Micro ATX - Power supply designed for an ATX variety with a size of 244 mm by 1244 mm.
o Mini ATX - Power supply designed for an ATX variety with a form factor of 150 mm by 150
mm size.
• AT - Power supply for the original AT motherboard designed by IBM with a size of 350 mm by
305 mm.
• LPX - Power supply designed for an LPX motherboard with a size of 330 mm by 229 mm.
• NLX - Power supply designed for an NLX motherboard with a size of 254 mm by 228 mm.
• SFX - Power supply designed for an SFX motherboard. The "regular" SFX power supply is
nominally 100 mm wide, 125 mm deep, and 63.5 mm in height; it has an output of 90 W which
is sufficient to run small systems with lower requirements and fewer peripherals.

Compilation and Coordination: - Eng.Osama Ali Abd Al malik

 Connections

Relating to form factor are the connections made by computer power supplies.
Different connectors determine what devices power supplies can connect to and supply power
for. It is important to select a power supply that has the right connections needed for the system.

• Motherboard connector - connects the power supply to a particular motherboard. ATX

motherboards are attached with 20 or 24 pin connectors.
• CPU connector - used to connect power supplies to motherboards with on board computer
processing units (CPUs). These are either 4 ("P4") or 8 pin connectors.
• Molex connector - the IDE connector that connects to hard drives and CD ROM drives. Most
computer power supplies include at least one of these connectors.

Design tip: When additional Molex connectors are needed, a y-splitter can be purchased to
increase the number of available connections.

• Floppy connector - 4 pin connector used to supply power to floppy drives, card reader drives,
and other similar devices.
• AUX connector - a 6 pin connector that is a necessary connection for some computer
motherboards.
• SATA connector - connectors for devices using serial advanced technology attachment
(SATA) interfaces, such as hard drives.
• PCI express connector - used to connect to PCI express video cards, which receive power
directly from the power supply rather than from the motherboard.

Compilation and Coordination: - Eng.Osama Ali Abd Al malik

The power supply connectors

4 Pin Berg Connector

Used to connect the PSU to small form factor devices, such as 3.5" floppy drives.
available in: AT, ATX & ATX-2

4 Pin Molex Connector

This is used to power various components, including hard drives and optical
drives.
available in: AT, ATX & ATX-2

20 Pin Molex ATX Power Connector

This is used to power the motherboard in ATX systems.
available in: ATX( ATX-2 have four extra pins)

4 Pin Molex P4 12V Power Connector

Used specifically for Pentium 4 Processor Motherboards.
available in: ATX (integrated into the power connector in ATX-2)

6 Pin AUX Connector

Provides +5V DC, and two connections of +3.3V.
available in: ATX/ATX-2

Compilation and Coordination: - Eng.Osama Ali Abd Al malik

ATX Power Supply Pinouts

Below are pinout diagrams of the common connectors in ATX power supplies.

Compilation and Coordination: - Eng.Osama Ali Abd Al malik