Friday, March 29, 2024

Bench Power Supply Using a Computer’s Power Supply

Jaywardhan Pandit is an electronics hobbyist. His interests include embedded system and PCB designing

ront panel of the author’s prototype
Fig. 5: Front panel of the author’s prototype

Variable output power supply

To convert the PSU into a variable power supply, use an LM338K or LM317 adjustable voltage regulator IC as shown in Fig. 6. Connect +12V and -12V supplies from the PSU to this circuit so that you get 1.2V to +23V maximum output using VR1 potmeter. But the current output will reduce to 500mA because the output current of -12V output is 500mA only.

Adjustable regulated power supply circuit
Fig. 6: Adjustable regulated power supply circuit

Construction and testing

An actual-size PCB layout for variable power supply is shown in Fig. 7 and its components layout in Fig. 8. Some tips for testing the power supply are:

1. Some newer PSUs come with a current-sense wire. If the wire is grey in colour, connect it with +3.3V. If it is pink, connect it with +5V supply.

PCB layout of the variable power supply circuit
Fig. 7: PCB layout of the variable power supply circuit Fig. 8: Components layout for the PCB

2. Make sure that you are using an ATX power supply. If it is an older one, it will have different colour codes for the wires. If you don’t have the actual colour code data, don’t try anything.

- Advertisement -
Fig. 8: Components layout for the PCB

Download PCB and component layout PDFs: click here

3. If the LEDs do not light up, check these for correct polarity.

4. The cooling fan in the PSU may make noise. As the PSU is not powering a load continuously, you can limit the fan speed to reduce the noise. You can do so by reducing the supply voltage from 12V to 5V. Consequently, if the PSU heats up abnormally, reconnect the fan with 12V supply.

5. It is recommended to connect a separate fuse for each output.

- Advertisement -

Advantages of PSU

1. Very effective short-circuit protection
2. Thermal protection
3. Earth fault protection
4. Compact size with respect to voltage and current output ratings
5. Very cheap compared to conventional a bench power supply.

Disadvantages

1. Complex circuit, difficult to repair without adequate knowledge
2. SMD soldering station may be required for repair


 

2 COMMENTS

  1. good project and information
    5 yr before i tried it and it was success project when i have taken +5v ,12v and 3v frm SMPS. Then i made a 15 A 0-24v regulator and connected its input to the smps (-12 -and+12) it worked for a small duration then explored with a big bang … i checked and understood 2 power transistors were blown then i have taken another SMPS board and that also explored withi in seconds . How ever i felt one improvement in the second explosion that its mosfet also blown along with power transistors. It was an unforgettable power supply (myself renamed it as UPS) for me . LOL…. 😀 how ever thank you .

  2. I have a 450 atx smps (zebronics make) which recently became totally dead. On opening the cover, I found all components are through hole with not a single SMD component. Please publish DIY on how to repair this type of smps with all through hole components.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS & COMMENTS

Electronics News

Truly Innovative Tech

MOst Popular Videos

Electronics Components

Calculators