When using a PSU tester, would this be considered good?

[Vicenarian]

Would this be considered a good, or bad idea?


When using a PSU Tester to test a suspected problem PSU, try hooking up some other hardware to the other power connectors on the PSU, while testing. Try a HDD, etc. This will place a greater load on the PSU, and therefore give you an idea (although I don't know how accurate) if the PSU is putting out enough watts without voltage issues.

E.g. You normally would just plug the PSU tester in, and do the usual test...but there is no load on the PSU in this way. However, if you start plugging in some hardware devices at the same time, you will place some load on the PSU, and therefore perhaps expose issues that otherwise wouldn't be evident.

 

[arrow_runner]

The way I look at it is this:

If you suspect a bad power supply, hook up your tester with everything still in the case and hit the test button. If it shows bad, then you have a bad power supply, otherwise, move on to the next paragraph.

Hook up a known good power supply. Does everything work? If yes, then just install a new power supply. If no, continue troubleshooting.

 

[Vicenarian]

The way I look at it is this:

If you suspect a bad power supply, hook up your tester with everything still in the case and hit the test button. If it shows bad, then you have a bad power supply, otherwise, move on to the next paragraph.

Hook up a known good power supply. Does everything work? If yes, then just install a new power supply. If no, continue troubleshooting.

lol, simple and to the point. Thanks.

 

[vdub12]

I always test supplies in the case with all hardware hooked up.

Power supply testers can only be used as reference though. A failed test is almost always a bad supply but a passed test is not always a good supply.

 

[coreyspeed]

some power supplys will not even power up, if their is not enough load, so adding a hard drive maybe a good idea

 

[SThompson86]

A failed test is almost always a bad supply but a passed test is not always a good supply.

I agree to that. I was trouble shooting a system once that was having random shut off problems. I used my PSU tester, and everything checked out fine with it. I then used my Multi Meter, and all the voltages checked out which checked out fine. I knew the PSU was bad because the fan would still run when the system was shut down.

 

[kagman]

I agree to that. I was trouble shooting a system once that was having random shut off problems. I used my PSU tester, and everything checked out fine with it. I then used my Multi Meter, and all the voltages checked out which checked out fine. I knew the PSU was bad because the fan would still run when the system was shut down.

I hate when that happens. The fan runs while the system is shut down..lol.. One time I changed the powersupply on a system and it did the same thing..lol.. Crazy!!!!!

 

[WHEELS]

I was upgrading a PSU the other day and hooked everything back, but no power. I tested with my power supply tester and it said it was bad even though it was brand new. I put in a known working one and it did the same thing.

I started unplugging cables one by one and as soon as I unplugged the floppy drive it worked perfectly.

Moral of the story, if you suspect the PSU is bad, it probably is but double check all connections