Testing a PSU

[Ranulf]

So I got a coolmax psu tester. I hooked it up to the tester and it seems to be fine, no warnings and no voltages out of wack. However, I'm hearing a click-click-click sound when the tester is turned on from the PSU. Is that something to be worried about?

 

[Zap]

Don't know about the clicking sounds, but just FYI those "testers" don't do much for testing. They can basically just make sure the PSU actually can turn on at all, and that the various voltages exist. The power supply may still fail to run a system even if it "passes" one of those testers. However, if it fails one of those testers, then you pretty much know that it is dead.

 

[Ranulf]

Good to know, thanks.

 

[loafbred]

PC P&C recommends attaching two hard drives when testing, to apply a little load.

 

[mpilchfamily]

It would be a good idea to use that PSU tester in conjuction with a DMM. That away your sure the PSU is putting out the correct voltages. The load tester is good for turning the unit on and providing a basic load to get a proper reading. It has a built in wire round resistor to provide the load. So it doesn't matter if you have a couple drives plugged in or not.

Is the clicking comming from teh PSU or the tester? If its from the PSU then have a good looke threw the vents and see if there might be anything that may be too close to the fan.

 

[PsiStar]

My experience with PSU testers has been go/no-go & is all that I needed to know.

My own personal theory of PSU failure is all or nothing. They use switching electronics for efficiency and if it fails ... then there is nothing. This is all I have needed to know to decide if the m/b has failed or the PSU. Compared to buying a PSU, CPU, m/b, or the simple minded PSU testers the tester is the least expensive. Even if you plan on returning one of the other parts, it is still far less of a PITA than dealing with RMAs.

Having said that, where is the click click clicking sound coming from? The fan? Did you hear the clicking when the PSU was still installed in the computer? And, plugging in even an old HDD is a good idea to add a load ... try with & without the "load".

This will sound absolutely absurd to many & incredibly dangerous, but can you stick something into the air exhaust to stop the fan from spinning? Ok, something insulated and for no longer than absolutely necessary to tell if the clicking stops? Or with a little help from someone, figure out how to stop the fan before power up (you holding the ... whatever to block the fan) & your assistant doing the plugging into the tester.