How to Choose the Best Power Supply Tester for Your Needs – A Comprehensive Guide

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A power supply is one of the most essential components of your PC. It converts the incoming AC current from your wall socket into a DC current and powers your entire system. However, sometimes, it misbehaves due to technical or manufacturing faults. That’s why a power supply tester is critical for smooth system operations.

This blog post is all about how to opt for the best PC power supply tester and how to test a PSU with ease. It is critical for troubleshooting your PC problems or to ensure the new one works properly. So, read till the end, or you might miss something essential for the implementing power supply test.

What is a Power Supply Tester?

Simply put, a power supply tester is a device used to check the functionality of power supply units or PSUs. They test the PSU and ensure it delivers the optimum amount of current and voltage to the other components of your Laptop or PC.

According to renowned tech enthusiasts, you should check your power supply before every purchase. However, if you already have one, you might need a PSU tester when specific signs occur.

6 Indicators of Power Supply Failure or Fault

Following is the list of power supply failure indications:

• Your PC is not turning on
• The PSU’sPSU’s fan is sounding louder than normal
• Your system randomly reboots or turns off without warning
• There is a burning smell coming from your PC. (Unplug your PC immediately since there is a risk of potential short-circuit.)
• The video output of your PC crashes or freezes (Specifically when performing high-load tasks like video editing, gaming, or development).
• Any other mysterious issue with your PC

If you are witnessing any of the above indicators, instantly check your power supply to avoid significant consequences. However, power supply failure or faults may involve various other signs.

Therefore, it is considered a good practice to test PSU whenever there is any unusual activity. This way, you can spot glitches and faults in your power supply on time.

How to Test a PC Power Supply?

A dedicated power supply tester simplifies the PSU testing to a great extent. Follow the process illustrated below to implement a smooth testing process:

• Connect the entire 24-pin ATX or ITX connector
• Switch on your PSU, and then the tester
• Check the readings
• Switch off the tester and then the PSU
• Disconnect the tester and power supply

4 Considerations Before Opting for Power Supply Testers

Go through the following checklist and make informed purchase decisions.

Check the Compatibility

One of the most critical factors you need to consider is the compatibility of your power supply tester. Ensure your PSU tester supports the types of power supplies you want to check, like ATX or ITX.

Moreover, your PSU tester should also support standard voltage levels; otherwise, you might face a lot of difficulty. Furthermore, the availability of compatible connectors is crucial to ensure a seamless fit with your specific computer setup.

Functionality is Crucial

Secondly, ensure your power supply tester has advanced functionality that follows modern-day requirements. Check the following functionality aspects to elevate your testing experience:

• Verify that the power supply tester provides accurate readings for different power supply rails, like +3.3V, +5V, and +12V
• It should have a clear and visible LED indicator system for quick voltage level checks
• An overload protection mechanism is crucial to prevent potential damage during voltage spikes
• An on/off switch adds convenience and is a must for some individuals

Material Quality and Portability

The overall build quality of your power supply tester is also essential. Otherwise, you might need to buy it repeatedly due to material failures or other damages. Assess the material quality, sturdiness, and the quality of connectors as well.

Moreover, evaluate your desired power supply tester’s size, weight, and ease of transport, especially if portability concerns you. Furthermore, ensure your PSU tester is corrosion-resistant. As a result, you can use your tester in a harsh working environment without any fear of potential failure or damage.

Brand Reputation and Customer Feedback

Last but not least, assess the brand reputation and customer experience. The most straightforward way to analyze the brand’s reputation in the market is to read customer reviews. Moreover, you can also read social media comments, utilize live surveys, or track media coverage for in-depth evaluation.

Related Topic: H260EBM-00 Dell Power Supply Unit: A Comprehensive Review

Best PSU Testers of 2024

Optimal Shop PC Power Supply Tester

It is an excellent option for tech enthusiasts looking for a quick and reliable diagnostic tool for their PSUs. It offers robust voltage testing and a clear indication via a green LED display.

Pros:

• Comprehensive testing via multiple connector types
• Immediate voltage verification via green LED display
• Simple design and prolific user experience

Cons:

• Few complain regarding inconsistent readings due to technical glitches

Fuhengli PC Power Supply Tester

It is another popular power supply tester among tech enthusiasts, professionals, and everyday users seeking a cutting-edge and dependable diagnostic tool.

Pros:

• Easy monitoring via 1.8-inch LCD screen
• Durable with a professional look
• Hassle-free diagnostic for a variety of connectors like HDD, 20/24-pin ATX, SATA, Floppy, EPS 8-pin, PCI-e 6-pin

Cons:

• Incompatible with PCI-e 8-pin connectors

Other Common Methods to Test Power Supply

Apart from a dedicated power supply tester, there are other methods that can be utilized to test PSUs.

How do you do a Jumper Test to check the power supply?

The jumper test is quite basic, indicating whether your PSU can power on or not. However, you might employ some safety precautions since it involves inserting a piece of metal into your power supply’s pinouts.

Follow the instructions given below to execute the jumper testing without any major mishaps:

• Unplug your PSU from other computer components
• Bend a metal paper clip to form a U-shape
• Hold the end of the 24-pin ATX cable along with the clip facing you
• Spot the pins for the ground wire (BLACK) and the main power supply (GREEN) on your motherboard cable

(The green wire should be fourth from the right, and the black wire should be third from the right)

• Make sure that your PSU is switched off and unplug it from AC power as a precaution
• Insert the paper clip (both ends) into the pin sockets
• Plug the power supply into the main socket
• Turn on the power switch

Now, observe the fan; if it is working, then your PSU is capable of powering on; otherwise, it is not. However, it is not very reliable because it only indicates the power on or off glitch. Defective PSUs may still pass the jumper test, so opting for other ways, like utilizing the power supply tester for PSU diagnosis, is better.

How to Use a Multimeter to Check for Power Supply?

Another popular and effective way to test PSUs is to employ a multimeter. It is a portable device that can measure voltage, current, resistance, etc. Moreover, it is handy for finding electrical problems in various products.

A multimeter seems confusing and complex, but it is one of the easiest tools to operate. Here’s how you can test a PSU using a multimeter:

• Turn off your power supply and unplug it from other components
• Select the DC voltage option on your multimeter
• Ensure the red and black leads are connected to their designated slots
• Stick with the U-shape clip placed in the jumper test, and don’t change its position.

(Follow the instructions above to connect the clip to the ground and power-on pins if you haven’t done so yet.)

• Connect the red lead of the multimeter to the pin you want to test and black to the grounded pins
• Check the voltage reading and verify it from standard manuals

If there is more than a five percent difference in both readings, something is wrong with your PSU, and you may need to fix or replace it.

FAQs

How to check what power supply I have?

You can check the label on your PSU, check the BIOS/UEFI settings, read your computer’s documentation, and use system information software or some specific third-party software to determine what power supply you have.

How to check the power supply on a PC?

There are various ways to check the power supply on your computer. Like, jumper and multimeter testing. Plus, you can also go for a power supply tester as discussed above to check your PSU.

What to do if my power supply is bad?

It is better to replace it with a new one rather than going for fixing the current ones. Since, it is expensive yet sometimes ineffective. You can explore various top-tier power supply units on Direct Macro without going over budget.

How to test a power supply without plugging it in?

You can test your power supply without plugging it by using a dedicated power supply tester or a multimeter.

What’s Next?

In short, a power supply tester is an essential component of your toolbox. However, you should also opt for the most reliable power supplies to avoid frequent fixes or replacements. If you are looking for top-tier power supplies without going over budget, then Direct Macro is the ultimate solution for all your requirements. Visit today to make informed and regret-free purchase decisions.