Saving Computer ATX SMPS Power Supplies – PART 1
This is a series of articles covering Computer SMPS services that I do free for the hospital where I work. My intentions are to bring an awareness of saving these devices that are usually thrown away and replaced by now cheaply available SMPS units. I will be minimizing the pictures to bring brevity of this article. Some solutions might be of same type or similar to problems reported earlier in my articles. But it might help those who have come to this field recently and are meant for beginners.
1) SuperComp SEP500 : Found capacitors burst and 330/200V Caps dried. Ring testing showed shorts. After combing the board, I found switching transistor, driver transistors, resistors and diodes short. After removing these shorted parts, ring testing showed healthy.
So replaced these components along with all other capacitors on the board as usual. I also replaced the opto coupler and TL431 to be on the safe side, as these are very cheap components and might fail on load.
After doing a thorough retouch of the board and cleaning with IPA, when I applied power, load of 12V 25W Bulb, I found the SMPS working very well!
2) Another SuperComp SEP500:
In this I saw two caps burst in the secondary with the cans lying outside. On checking with the ring tester, the circuits were found healthy. Replaced all the electrolytic capacitors as usual as the tank capacitors were found dried up.
Did a thorough retouching of the board and lubricated the fan for smooth function. Tested like before and found the SMPS working satisfactorily.
Well, satisfactions got collected as usual, especially when the IT Administrator colleague was happy to get back these standby SMPS for his emergency backup support!
Let me tell you that the hospital has brought down its purchase of computer SMPS from almost one or two per month to one or two per year! That is the result of the restoration work being done without feeling boredom!
This article was prepared for you by Parasuraman Subramanian from India. He is 72 years old and has more than 30 years’ experience in handling antique equipment like Valve Radio, Amps, Reel Tape Recorders and currently studying latest tech-classes conducted by Kerala State Electronics Technicians’ Association. He has done graduation in BBA degree, private diploma in Radio Engineering and retired as MD of a USA company. Presently working as Consultant to Hospital and other institutions.
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Anwar Shiekh
September 24, 2022 at 9:47 pm
Can hardly wait for the other parts
Parasuraman S
September 24, 2022 at 10:42 pm
Many thanks for your comments!
Albert van Bemmelen
September 24, 2022 at 10:00 pm
Another very decent and to the point atx smps repair article! Less new power units had to be bought for replacement although the amount of bad replaced e-caps must be enormous by now.
Parasuraman S
September 24, 2022 at 10:42 pm
Many thanks for your comments!
Mohamed
September 25, 2022 at 3:11 am
Well done! I do a lot of these repairs. Watch Haseeb electronics on YouTube as well. Lofts of useful information there on smps.
All the best!
Parasuraman S
September 25, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Many thanks for your comments!
Waleed Rishmawi
September 24, 2022 at 10:29 pm
You are keeping these power supplies up and running and hopefully you are saving your company money in these repairs. Have a blessed day
Parasuraman S
September 25, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Yes, purchase of new SMPS is almost nil nowadays! Many thanks for your comments!
GIFT ELIJAH
September 24, 2022 at 11:53 pm
Good savings to the hospital and a wonderful salvage, hope was restored and trust in your ability increased.
Keep the good work. Thanks for sharing
Parasuraman S
September 25, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Many thanks for your comments!
Raj
September 25, 2022 at 11:04 am
Great job.. thanks for sharing
Parasuraman S
September 25, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Many thanks for your comments!
Yogesh Panchal
September 26, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Good Job! Sir
Parasuraman S
September 26, 2022 at 11:06 pm
Many thanks for your comments!
AWORD STEPHEN
September 26, 2022 at 10:30 pm
whaa that was great, I myself usually rebuild some, but I have an android box and when I plug it in it comes on, the light turns blue but there's no display on the monitor, please help me
Parasuraman S
September 28, 2022 at 10:39 pm
What type of monitor is it? Look for dry solder. Check voltages for backlight and also display controller IC. Many thanks for your comments!
Lynn Blakely
October 3, 2022 at 7:01 am
Parasuraman: Thanks for the article as usual the satisfaction bag gets its entry.
We always enjoy reading, always something to learn here.