HCL CAREER DEVLOPMENT CENTER

Types of SMPS

PROJECT-2

PRASHANT DATIR
7/11/2009
Defining Power supply
A Computer is an electronic device & like all electronic device it requires electric power for its functioning.Now the
power that a computer gets in from your main home supply .However this is not in from that the components inside the
computer needs .In addition ,the power that is coming through the mains is of very high voltage whereas the power
requirement of the computer is very low .there fore you need a device is the power supply or power supply unit or PSU

The electric power that is coming in your home is called Alternating Current or AC & the electric power that the computer
component require is called direct current or DC .We can define a power supply as a compomnets of the computer that
converts high AC power in the range 100-120V {North America & japan} or 220-240V {Europe Asia & austrialia } to more
usable DC from for the internal components like transistors

A power supply comes in various froms differentiated on its size weight, cost,efficiency and output ,voltage the most
widely used froms of power supplies is

Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS)

The most common type of power supply used today internally ,in PCs is Switch Mode Power Supply an SMPS consists
of high frequency switch, which is actually a transistor internally ,with varying frequency ranging from 50khz to 1 Mhz
.this switch is used to control & stabilize the output voltage by switching the load currents on & off

Essentiallyy an SMPS is a DC to DC converter which converts a source of direct current (DC) Froum one voltage to
another .the SMPS acting as DC to DC converter first rectifies an AC input voltage (110V/240V) Froms main ,converts it
to DC and depanding upon the desigen
Power Supply from factors

Power supplies are available in a fe standard sizes & shapes these are called the from factors of the power supply
However ,the from factor of power supply must match with the computer case in which power supply is to be placed & the
motherboard to which the power supply is to be connected

Based on the different computer case designs the power supply from factors are also classified into various type.these
are listed below

> PC/XT From factor

> AT From factor

> Baby AT From factor

> LPX From factor

> ATX{NLX} From factor

> SFX From factor

> WTX From factor

 Baby AT Form Factor

The Baby AT form factor is so named because it is a smaller version of the original AT form factor. It has the same height
and depth, but is about 2" narrower. Since it is "similar but smaller", the Baby AT power supply will fit both in Baby AT form
factor cases and in full-size AT cases as well, in both tower and desktop styles. It has the same output motherboard and
drive connectors as the AT. Due to this flexibility, and the fact that it was introduced at around the time that PCs began to
really grow in popularity, the Baby AT form factor reigned as the most popular design for over a decade--far longer than
any other. From around 1985 to 1995, a large percentage of new PCs were Baby ATs (though later on LPX form factor
power supplies came to be used in many Baby AT systems.)
 Diagram of the side and rear views of a Baby AT form factor power supply,
with approximate dimensions. Note that the dimensions are very similar
to that of the AT form factor; essentially the "overhang" shown on the right side
of the AT power supply rear view was removed because smaller Baby AT
motherboards and supplies no longer required it. A desktop version also exists
that is the same except for the addition of an external toggle switch on the side
(as shown in the AT desktop style diagram on the AT form factor page.)
.

The Baby AT power supply was made in both a tower and desktop configuration, like the full-sized AT, and like the full-
sized AT these differ only in the type of power switch used. Unlike the full-sized AT, however, in the Baby AT form factor
tower versions became much more popular. Even in many desktop systems, tower-style power supplies began to be
installed for the simple reason that most users prefer having a power switch on the front of the case and not in the rear.

This form factor has now been replaced in new systems by the ATX and other form factors. However, the huge installed
base has given Baby AT momentum and given manufacturers of new components incentive to provide upgrade options for
the millions who still use these systems.
 LPX Form Factor

One power supply form factor that has given Baby AT a run for its money over the last 15 years has been the LPX form
factor. The "LP" in "LPX" stands for "low profile", another name given to these power supplies. They are also often called
"slimline" power supplies because LPX cases are often called slimline cases, and "PS/2" power supplies after the famous
IBM model. The main goal of this form factor is size reduction. The height in particular of the power supply is significantly
reduced, facilitating the design of much smaller, consumer-oriented PCs. The connectors of the LPX form factor power
supply are the same as that of the Baby AT and AT.

While never officially specified as a standard, the LPX or "slimline" power supply basically became one anyway. Due to its
small size and convenient rectangular shape, these power supplies were put into all sorts of cases; not just LPX cases but
Baby AT and even full-sized AT cases. Until the rise of its anointed successor, NLX, LPX systems were made in large
quantity, and millions of these power supplies are still in use.
 AT Form Factor

In 1984 IBM introduced the IBM PC/AT, "AT" standing for "advanced technology", an abbreviation whose use still survives
to this day in some contexts. Very similar in overall physical design to the PC and XT models that preceded it, the power
supply in these units was increased in size and changed slightly in shape, establishing it as a distinct form factor.
Whereas "clone" manufacturers made a few PC/XT units compatible with the IBM PC and XT, it was with the AT that the
PC world really began to explode. Many different manufacturers began creating AT-compatible systems and with them, AT
form factor power supplies. The original AT power supply provided 192 W--a respectable figure, especially for the time,
which represented a tripling of the original PC's power supply output just three years later. It is used in AT form factor
cases and with AT or Baby AT form factor motherboards. It has the same motherboard and drive connectors as the PC/XT
form factor.

Diagram of the side and rear views of an AT desktop form factor power supply,
with approximate dimensions. The fan here has been moved to the middle
of the back of the supply, and the voltage selector switch has been placed
near the power cord receptacle, a much more sensible location. Note the
distinctive "missing corner" at the bottom right of the rear view, which was
created to allow part of the power supply to "overhang" part of the motherboard.
The AT form factor was the first to introduce tower-style cases and systems to the PC world. The desktop power supply
and tower power supply were internally the same. The only difference was in the on/off switch. The desktop used the
same red toggle switch as the PC and XT, while the tower introduced the first remote power switch in the PC world. The
control wires for the switch were passed through the same hole in the front of the power supply case that was used for the
motherboard and drive connector bund

The AT form factor is now obsolete of course, though many of these systems remain in use. After only a few years, the AT
form factor was quickly dethroned by its smaller successor, the Baby AT form factor, due to the advantages of the latter's
smaller size, so far fewer AT systems than Baby AT systems are found today.
PC/XT Form Factor

The first PC was of course the IBM PC. Its power supply, and that of its hard-drive-equipped successor, the IBM PC/XT,
used the same original form factor. These systems were all desktop units, with the power supply tucked into the rear of the
case on the right-hand side, and controlled via an up/down toggle switch. While the PC/XT power supply began as an IBM
design, IBM's key decision to keep the PC architecture open allowed "clone" manufacturers to make similar PC boxes and
use the same size and shape of power supply for interoperability. In this manner, the first PC form factor "standard" was
born.

Diagram of the side and rear views of a PC/XT form factor power supply,
with approximate dimensions. The "bulls-eye" on the right is the fan outlet.
The voltage selection switch is at the top in the middle, and the connections
for the power cord and monitor pass-through are on the bottom.
 .

PC/XT units were sold as desktop boxes only. Equipped with only one or two 5.25" (low-density) floppy disk drives for
storage, and having limited expansion possibilities, the original PC came with a very low-powered supply by today's
standards: 63.5 W. The XT added the first PC hard disk drive and an appropriately doubled power supply rating: 130 W
(still relatively small by today's standards.) These IBM power supplies were physically large for their output--not surprising,
since they used much older components and were designed before some power supply functions were combined into
integrated circuits. They were also very well-made, another reason for their somewhat large size. They of course are used
in PC/XT form factor system cases and with PC/XT motherboards. The PC/XT was the first form factor to use the well-
known pair of six-conductor motherboard connectors that were used through the Baby AT and LPX form factors, and the
four-conductor disk drive connectors that are still used to this day.

These units are of course not only obsolete today but heading rapidly into "antique" status. You will still find them in use
however, usually as dumb terminals for larger minicomputers, or for controlling industrial equipment. This is as much a
testament to the quality of these first PC power supplies as anything.
SFX Form Factor

As part of the continuing trend towards smaller and smaller PCs, Intel in 1997 introduced the new microATX form factor,
based upon the original ATX form factor. In 1999, Intel produced the FlexATX addendum to the microATX specification,
detailing plans for an even smaller motherboard and case standard. Neither of these form factors include specifications for
a power supply. Instead, Intel created the SFX power supply form factor, which they may optionally use. The "S" in "SFX"
is for "small" of course! microATX and FlexATX systems can also use the ATX power supply, though since miniaturization
is the key with these systems, the SFX power supply makes much more sense. You can find detailed specifications on the
SFX power supply form factor at the Platform Development Support Web Site.

The SFX specification actually calls for a default configuration, and several options. The "regular" SFX power supply is
nominally 100 mm wide, 125 mm deep and 63.5 mm in height. It includes a 60 mm power supply fan for cooling. An
optional configuration calls for the placement of a larger fan on the top of the power supply. This fan option is 80 mm and
is very often selected by manufacturers as it provides for improved system cooling

. It increases the height of the supply by about 10 mm. Another option is for an extra-small power supply with dimensions
of only 100 x 125 x 50, and a 40 mm power supply fan. This configuration however requires an additional fan for system
cooling, because the small 40 mm fan is only sufficient to cool the power supply itself.

Clockwise from upper left: side, top and rear view diagrams of the SFX standard
design power supply, with the optional top-mounted fan included.
In many ways the SFX form factor could be considered a "little brother" to ATX. It is mostly interchangeable with the ATX
power supply. The main SFX motherboard connector is 20 pins, in the same shape and size as the ATX connector, and 19
of the pins are the same as those of ATX. The one difference here is that the SFX power supply specification does not call
for providing the -5 V compatibility voltage.

The reason is that -5 V is only required for ISA bus compatibility, and since Intel wants to move new systems away from
ISA (to PCI and AGP only) it intentionally left -5 V off the specification (presumably to save on the cost of the power
supply). Systems that need -5 V and want to use the SFX power supply must generate it on the motherboard. The SFX
power supply specification calls for the power supply fan to be internally thermally speed-controlled, but an additional "Fan
On/Off" signal is included on the SFX optional motherboard connector. Another issue with ATX exchangeability is that an
SFX power supply equipped only with the standard 60 mm fan may have considerable trouble cooling a large ATX system
case.

The specified output rating of the SFX power supply is 90 W. This is sufficient to run rather small systems with low-
powered CPUs and few peripherals, but makes things a bit tight and leaves little room for expansion. Fortunately, some
manufacturers are producing SFX power supplies with much higher output ratings.
 ATX (NLX) Form Factor

At the time of its introduction by Intel in 1995, the ATX form factor was the most significant change in system design since
the invention of the PC over a decade earlier. Although it took several years to "catch on", the ATX form factor and its
variants are now the standard in a large segment of the marketplace. In addition, the NLX motherboard and case form
factor--designed to replace LPX--intentionally use the same power supply because Intel wanted to avoid having another
power supply form factor on the market. Therefore, the ATX form factor is sometimes called the "ATX/NLX" form factor.

On the outside, the ATX power supply appears virtually identical to an LPX power supply in terms of its dimensions and
component placement. The biggest visible difference between the two is that the power pass-through outlet for the
monitor has been removed (primarily because modern monitors always come with their own power cord these days, so
the pass-through hasn't been commonly used for some time.)
The inside of the ATX form factor, however, is an entirely different story. The ATX power supply design differs from the
previous market standards, the Baby AT and LPX form factors, in several important ways:

• True Standard: The ATX form factor is a standard, as opposed to the "de facto standards" of prior form factors.
You can find detailed specifications about ATX and other newer form factors at the Platform Development Support
Web Site. Included there is a document specific to the ATX power supply.
• +3.3 V Power: ATX systems were the first to include +3.3 V power directly, avoiding the need for voltage
regulators to provide it on the motherboard.
• Soft Power: ATX systems were the ones where the +5 Standby and Power On signals were introduced. These
signals are used along with a change to the way the power switch works, as part of the "Soft Power" feature that
enables features such as allowing the operating system to turn off the PC.
• Additional Signals: ATX defines several additional signals used for fan control, IEEE 1394 compatibility, and
more.
• Changed Motherboard Connectors: Breaking with 15 years of tradition created by the PC/XT, AT, Baby AT and
LPX form factors, Intel specified new motherboard connectors for the ATX form factor. This was in part due to the
additional signals used by the ATX power supply and
• motherboards. For compatibility, some motherboards include both the new and old style of connector. Read more
about the motherboard connectors here.
• Modified Fan Direction and Placement: One of the goals of the original ATX specification was to change the
way the power supply fan worked. At around the time ATX was introduced, cooling fans were becoming the
standard for the newer, faster CPUs on the market. Instead of exhausting air out the back of the case as had
always been the norm, Intel wanted to use this exhaust air to cool the processor directly, saving the cost of a
cooling fan. Therefore, the ATX specification calls for the fan to run in the opposite direction and be placed near
the CPU's location on the motherboard, to blow on it for cooling. The other advantage of this method is that it
keeps the system cleaner, since air entering the case all comes from one place, and can be filtered if necessary.
Unfortunately, while a good idea, this hasn't worked out quite the way Intel hoped. The primary problem is that
newer CPUs continue to generate more and more heat as they get faster, and a regular power supply fan doesn't
have enough flow to cool them properly. This problem is compounded by the fact that the air blowing on the CPU
is warmed by the components in the power supply itself, so it is several degrees above ambient temperature
before it ever gets near the CPU. Thus, newer versions of the ATX specification make the fan direction optional.
The newest ATX power supplies have gone back to the old style of placing the fan on the back of the power
supply and exhausting air to the outside.
 Rear view of an ATX power supply, showing its
motherboard and drive connectors. This power supply
blows air out of the system; the vents on the side
are for drawing air from the inside of the system case.
.

Since it has become the industry standard, ATX power supplies are found everywhere. Ostensibly designed to work with
ATX cases and ATX (and Mini-ATX) motherboards, ATX power supplies are also used in NLX systems, as mentioned
above. They can also be used for microATX motherboards in microATX cases if the case is large enough, because the
ATX and

SFX main motherboard connectors are essentially the same.

WTX Form Factor

If the SFX form factor is the little brother to ATX, WTX isn't quite its big brother. WTX is more like its overgrown third
cousin from a distant country. :^) Introduced by Intel (who else) in 1998, and revised in 1999, the WTX form factor is
designed specifically for workstations (thus the "W" in "WTX"). WTX defines a standard for motherboards, cases, and
power supplies.

To meet the increased needs of the largest regular PC systems, the WTX form factor is totally different from the other PC
form factors. It is designed in a modular way from the ground up to allow it to meet the needs of large, multiple-CPU
systems now and in the future. The system is segmented physically into different "zones" where different functions are
supposed to be incorporated into the system. The motherboard is mounted on a special mounting plate which gives
motherboard makers the flexibility to design boards without "hard-coded" mounting hole restrictions. For its part, the
power supply has been completely changed to suit the needs of these larger systems. The best way to really understand
the WTX form factor is to download and read the specifications that are available at the WTX Home Page.

Unsurprisingly, WTX power supplies are large and powerful. The WTX specification actually includes design guides for
three specific sizes of power supply: 460 W, 610 W, and a whopping 800 W, though manufacturers are not limited to those
particular numbers. For designs up to about 500 W, a single power supply fan is specified, with overall power supply
dimensions of 150 mm width x 230 mm depth x 86 mm height. For larger capacity supplies, a dual-fan configuration is
recommended, which increases the width of the package to 224 mm.

Top and rear view diagrams of a dual-fan configuration

WTX form factor power supply.
The motherboard connectors used for the WTX are completely different from, though similar in concept, those of ATX and
SFX. Two large connectors with a total of 46 pins (6 reserved for future use) are the main connection to the WTX
motherboard (or set of boards) Several additional connectors are also optional for powering additional CPUs or other
devices. The WTX power supply also supplies several extra signals unique to the WTX form factor. WTX supplies are
intended to be matched to WTX motherboards and put in WTX form factor cases. They normally include a large number of
drive connectors to run a large number of hard disk drives and other devices, or special wiring to accomodate RAID bays.

Comparison of Power Supply Form Factors

This table is a summary comparison of the different power supply form factors. It shows their dimensions, the usual style
of system in which they are used, and what sort of motherboard connectors they provide. It also shows for each power
supply form factor, the typical cases and motherboards that are used with it. These lists should not be considered
exhaustive. Also bear in mind that some combinations are much more common than others. "AT/ATX Combo" refers to
cases designed to fit either AT or ATX power supplies, and motherboards designed with both AT and ATX style
connectors.

can generally be interchanged in systems sized to hold them because their 20-pin main motherboard connectors are
almost identical. They are not however exactly identical: the SFX power supply does not provide the -5 V signal that may
be required for some systems that use certain ISA bus expansion cards.

Typical
Match to
Form Dimensions Usual Motherboard Match to Case
Motherboard
Factor (W x D x H, Style(s) Connectors Form Factor
Form Factor
mm)

PC/XT 222 x 142 x 120 Desktop AT Style PC/XT PC/XT

Desktop
AT 213 x 150 x 150 AT Style AT AT, Baby AT
or Tower

Desktop Baby AT, AT, AT, Baby AT, AT/ATX

Baby AT 165 x 150 x 150 AT Style
or Tower AT/ATX Combo Combo

LPX, some Baby LPX, AT, Baby AT,

LPX 150 x 140 x 86 Desktop AT Style
AT, AT/ATX Combo AT/ATX Combo

ATX, Mini-ATX,
ATX, Mini-ATX,
Desktop Extended ATX,
ATX/NLX 150 x 140 x 86 ATX Style Extended ATX, NLX,
or Tower NLX, microATX,
microATX, FlexATX
AT/ATX Combo

100 x 125 x Desktop microATX, FlexATX, microATX, FlexATX,

SFX ATX Style
63.5 * or Tower ATX, Mini-ATX, NLX ATX, Mini-ATX, NLX

150 x 230 x 86
(single fan)
WTX Tower WTX Style WTX WTX
224 x 230 x 86
(double fan)

* Standard configuration, not including additional top-mounted fan, if any. 50 mm height option

INSIDE OF SMPS
Power-Supply Wattage

Power supplies are rated according to the maximum sustained power (given in watts) that they can produce. A watt is a
unit of electrical power equivalent to one volt-ampere. It is important to keep in mind that the power supply must produce
at least enough energy to operate all the components of the system at one time.

Don't rely on the computer's operating consumption alone, which can be obtained by adding the requirements for the
devices in the PC. Remember that a much larger drain occurs as the machine powers up, when hard drives and other
heavy feeders simultaneously compete for the available startup power. Most general-use computers require 130 watts
while running and about 200-205 watts when booting. Sound cards, modems, and (worst of all) monitors attached with an
accessory plug in the case can push a weak power supply to its limit and beyond.

Servers and high-performance workstations often have an abundance of RAM, multiple drives, SCSI (Small Computer
System Interface) cards, and power-hungry video adapters, along with one or more network cards. They often demand
power supplies of 35-500 watts.

Power-Supply Connectors

Power supplies employ several types of connectors; all are easy to identify and use. On the outside of the computer
enclosure, a standard male AC plug and three-conductor wire (two power wires and a ground) draws current from a wall
outlet, with a female connection entering the receptacle in the back of the power supply. On the inside are three types of
connectors: the power main to the motherboard (which differ, as mentioned, in AT and ATX models) and two types of four-
pin fittings to supply 5 volts and 3.3 volts of power to peripherals such as the floppy disk and hard disk drives. Let's take a
close look at each in turn.

AT-Style Connections to the Motherboard

A pair of almost identical connectors, designated P8 and P9, link the power supply to the motherboard (see Figure 5.1).
These connectors are seated into a row of six pins and matching plastic guides, or "teeth," on the motherboard. The P8
and P9 connectors must be placed in the proper orientation. The motherboard manual will show which fitting is for P8 and
P9. If the connectors are not marked, make sure that the two black wires on each plug are side by side and that the
orange wire (on P8) and the two red wires (on P9) are on the outside as you push them into place.
P8 and P9 connectors and motherboard fitting

The following table of power cables shows voltage values for each of the color-coded wires on P8 and P9. The ground
wires are considered 0 volts; all voltage measurements ("Basic Electricity”) are taken between the black wires and one of
the colored wires. Remember to install the P8 and P9 plugs so that the black wires are side by side. Installing them on the
wrong receptacle can damage both the motherboard and the power supply. Figure 5.2 shows the P8 and P9 connectors
and a motherboard.

Cable Color Supply In Tolerance

Yellow +12 ±10%

Blue -12 ±10%

Red +5 ±5%

White -5 ±5%

Black Ground N/A

ATX Motherboard Connections

The newer ATX main power connection is much easier to install. A single 20-wire plug is set into a fitted receptacle and
secured with a catch on the side of the plug that snaps over the fitting. Figure 5.3 shows the parts being seated. A small,
flat-tip screwdriver is a handy tool for easing the pressure on the catch to remove the plug. In some cases, it can be used

during installation as well.

Connections to Peripheral Hardware

Two standard types of connectors can connect to peripheral hardware:

• Molex connector: This is the most commonly used power connector. It provides both 12-volt and 5-volt power.
Hard disk drives, internal tape drives, CD-ROM drives, DVD (digital video disc) drives, and older 5.25-inch floppy
disk drives all use this fitting. The Molex connector has two rounded corners and two sharp corners to ensure that
it will be properly installed.

• Mini connector: Most power supplies provide one or more "mini" connectors (see Figure 5.5). The mini, shown in
Figure 5.4, is used primarily on 3.5-inch floppy-disk drives. It has four pin-outs and, usually, four wires. Most are
fitted with keys that make it difficult, but not impossible, to install upside down. Be sure to orient the connector
correctly; applying power with the connector reversed can damage or destroy the drive.

Two- and Three-Pin Mini Plugs

A less common type of power connector is used to connect the fan of a Pentium II or III processor to the motherboard for
power, to connect a CD-ROM drive to a sound card, and to provide power for 3.5-inch floppy disk drives. These
connectors have two or three wires which are usually red and black or red, yellow, and black.

Power-Supply Problems

Power-supply problems can come from both internal and external sources. Failure of a power supply can be caused by
failure of components within the computer (internal), but the most common failures come from the power source itself
(external). In this lesson, we look at common problems associated with power supplies and what you, as a technician, can
do about them.
Power Failures

Power supplies are affected by the quality of the local power source. Common power delivery problems such as spikes,
surges, sags, brownouts, and blackouts affect the stability and operation of the main power supply and are passed on
to the computer. While most users don't notice sudden changes in the quality of electrical power, computers and other
sensitive electronics do and while we can't fully control these problems, there are a few things we can do to protect
our equipment and data and ensure a reasonably clean electrical supply.
 Problem

Descriptio
n

Surges

These are
brief (and
sometimes
catastrophi
c)
increases
in the
voltage
source
(very high
voltage for
a very short
time). They
can
originate
with the
power
source (the
local power
company),
but most
often are
due to
lightning
strikes.

Spikes

Spikes are
very short
overvoltage
conditions.
Spikes are
measured
in
nanosecon
ds, while a
surge is
Summary

The following points summarize the key concepts in this chapter:

Power Supplies

• The key to specifying the proper size of a power supply for a computer is to add together the power requirements
for all the components. It is important to be sure to add extra power to allow for boot up.
• Electrical power is measured in watts.
• Proper installation of the P8 and P9 connectors is important to prevent damage to the motherboard. The black
(ground) wires must be installed side by side.
• Molex and mini connectors are used to connect power to devices such as floppy disk and hard disk drives.

Power-Supply Problems

• The flow of power into a computer must be managed in order to prevent damage and/or loss of data.
• Surge suppressors will eliminate some higher-than-normal voltage problems.
• High-quality UPS devices will eliminate most power fluctuations caused by too much or too little voltage.
• Check power supplies when there are unusual problems with memory and PC operations that do not quickly point
to another cause.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,THE END,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,