Lesson 1: Power Supplies
The power supply is an often-underrated part of a computer. Electronic components require a steady electrical current, free of surges or drops. The power supply is the part responsible for providing clean, constant current.
This lesson presents basic information about power supplies for computer systems. We take a look at the different sizes of power supplies, how to connect them to a computer (motherboard and related devices), and how to deal with the safety considerations that arise. As a certified computer technician, you will often be called upon to troubleshoot, identify, and replace power supplies.
After this lesson, you will be able to:Estimated lesson time: 15 minutes
- Define the current and voltage requirements for a computer power supply.
- Identify a replacement power supply.
- Specify the correct surge suppressors for a computer system.
- Specify a backup power supply for a computer system.
Before You Begin
No specialized knowledge is required; however, a fundamental understanding of terms related to power and electricity such as voltage and wattage is helpful when learning about power supplies.
