7 Common Faults of a Power Supply Unit
Power supply units are found in electrical devices, to control and regulate the electrical energy supplied to the components of a device. The key focuses of a PSU (Power Supply Unit), are voltage and current regulation, protection of mechanisms, and conversion of electrical power from different forms.
As essential components in any electronic device, when unexpected breakdowns occur they can have a critical impact, and consequences can be costly repairs.
7 Common Faults of a Power Supply
We will take a look at the common faults within power supplies, and how they can be prevented.
Overheating
The most common fault within a power supply is over heating. This can be caused due to a build up of dust, poor ventilation or malfunctions from the fan. As a result of overheating, the lifespan of the machinery will be reduced and the efficiency of the PS will be limited.
To prevent overheating, it is important to regularly clean the fans and vents to improve airflow and ventilation within the power supply. Investing in a power supply with higher efficiency, can generate less heat during operation and lower the risks of overheating.
Excessive Noise
Buzzing or whining sounds from a PS can indicate a fault. Excessively loud or unusual noises should be investigated by an Engineer, as this can be a sign of loose components or a malfunctioning fan.
To prevent excessive noise, regularly check all internal components are securely fastened, and the condition of the fan.
Inadequate Power Output
It is important for the power output to meet the demanding power from the component it is driving. If the power supply is too low, this can lead to crashes and failures to boot up. If you are replacing new components into an existing system, this can be a common mistake.
To prevent this problem, understand the requirements of your system and the power it requires.
No Output Power
If the PS fails to provide any output power, it is often a sign of a severe fault. This can be an indication of multiple issues, from a blown fuse or internal component failures.
This is difficult to prevent, if this does occur you should consult an Engineer to take a look at the power supply and fault find the issue.
Power Surges
If sudden power surges occur, this can cause internal damage to the PSU. This is often due to external impacts, such as the weather or power grid issues which can impact the power current to the unit.
Fan Failure
The fans within the power supply keep the internal components cool. A result of a failing fan, is the PS overheating, this can have further impacts on the internal components and damage to the unit. It is important to maintain the fans within the power supply to reduce failure from happening.
Short Circuits
As a result of incorrect wiring, damaged components, or external factors can lead to short circuits in a power supply unit. This can result in the unit shutting down or potentially causing damage to other components.
How can Neutronic Support you?
Power supplies are a common asset which we are repaired in our workshop, we regularly see faults with internal components, failure of capacitors or the unit. As a result of our Engineers experience, they have a good indication of faults when inspecting the asset. This reduces the turnaround time of your repair, the quicker the fault is identified the quicker the repair can be completed!
If your power supply is beyond economic repair, we will source a replacement for you! Our team will source a replacement with fast lead times and to the same specification to efficiently provide you with a solution!
To book your power supply in for repair today, contact Neutronic by emailing Enquiries@neutronictechnologies.com, and we will be happy to support you!
