power or the power supply is an electrical device that is responsible for supplying the required energy to the components and regulating the flow of electricity in the computer. This module converts AC alternating current (city input) into direct current or DC output for use by other computer components. In the continuation of this article, we will learn more about the concept and definition of this piece.
What is the power supply?
Power supply unit or PSU (abbreviated Power Supply Unit) is a type of power converter. This device receives city electricity (alternating current AC) as input and converts it to direct current electricity (DC).
It should be noted that the power supply is also responsible for regulating and distributing energy between parts. In other words, power is a part that supplies the energy required by other parts and hardware inside the computer, including RAM, central processor, etc.
This current can be supplied directly from the power itself or indirectly from the motherboard. In both cases, the main task of providing energy is the responsibility of Power. The unit of measurement and measurement of power supply performance is Watt.
Compared to other modules, the power supply usually has a shorter lifespan because power fluctuations and high operation cause the power supply to overheat and eventually damage its components. Of course, in some cases, it causes sudden shutdowns and restarts of the computer.
As you know, heat is one of the main factors affecting hardware failure; As a result, fans and sinks exist to remove heat from the fan power supply. These parts transfer the heat from electrical parts (including transistors, resistors, etc.) to the outside and lower the temperature of the device.
How does the power supply work?
The power supply receives 110 or 230 volts of alternating current (AC) and delivers direct current (DC) between 3 and 12 volts, depending on the needs of your system’s electrical circuits. Some power supplies are specifically designed for use with 110 or 230 volts.
While others can switch between these two, or even accept any voltage in this range. This means that most PSUs can work in different countries where the power input may vary.
When choosing a power supply, it’s important to make sure it’s compatible with the form factor of your server case and motherboard. This ensures that the power supply fits into your server.
Most of the power supplies that are currently in the market range from 200 watts to 1200 watts. The higher the wattage figure, the more power the unit can provide to your system, which means you need to assess how much power your components need to operate effectively.
You should calculate the approximate required power (TDP) of each computer component to choose a power supply with the right power. Finally, when replacing or upgrading a PC power supply, it’s important to consider brands.
Famous brands of power sources include SeaSonic, CORSAIR, Cooler Master, Thermaltake, etc. that you can get. It should be noted that there are important elements that you should consider in order to choose and buy a power supply.
How many types of power supply do we have?
Power can be classified in different ways. Based on the type of output voltage, mode of operation, fixed or variable output, the power supply can be classified. In the following, we discuss several types of power supply.
Sources Linear Power Supplies: It is responsible for converting high alternating voltage (AC) to direct current (DC).
Sources Switching Power Supplies: The operation of this type of power supply is based on switching on and off transistors. A computer power supply is an example of a switching power supply.
Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS): It is a part that supplies energy to the load when the power goes out. An increase in power voltage or a power outage in such equipment can cause losses such as disrupting online business, or losing important information, or disrupting the network and the Internet.
An uninterruptible power supply is used to protect hardware and equipment such as servers, computer systems, telecommunications equipment, or other electrical equipment. It is used in emergency power of elevators, hospitals, etc.
What is the difference between PC and laptop power supply?
Personal computers (PCs) and laptops both use power supply units, although their designs are somewhat different. Computer power is a type of switching power supply. This part receives alternating current (AC) from the main power source and converts it into several direct voltages (DC) for different parts of the computer.
These voltages are ±3.3V, ±5V and ±12V (standard voltages). The most common type of power supply is the ATX power supply, which is a stand-alone box that fits inside the computer case and converts AC (alternating) voltage to DC (direct).
Laptops also use power supply units, although the design is somewhat different. Most of these power units are external power converters (External) and usually convert AC (alternating) voltage to 12 to 24 V direct DC.
Most laptops have internal circuits that can convert the 12 volts supplied by the power supply to a lower voltage required by various components.
last word
In this article, we learned about the basic concept of power or power supply. Power supplies the energy needed by other parts and hardware inside the computer, including RAM, central processor, etc. That is, it converts the alternating current (AC) of the city power input into direct current (DC) output for use by other computer parts. Finally, power is an important part that cannot be neglected, and its incorrect selection can lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the computer and a decrease in the useful life of the parts.
The power supply is a part that has the task of converting city electricity (alternating AC) to direct (DC). Power supplies the energy needed by other parts and hardware inside the computer, including RAM, central processor, etc.
A computer power supply is a switching power supply that receives alternating current (AC) from the main power source and converts it to several direct voltages (DC) for different parts of the computer.
