ATX power supply features and working principle

ATX Power Supply is a kind of power supply that complies with ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended) standard, which is widely used in computer systems and other electronic devices. The features, functions and working principle of ATX power supplies are described in detail below. ATX Power Supply

Features of ATX power supply:

1. Physical size: The physical size of ATX power supply is usually 150mm x 86mm x 140mm (standard ATX size), which is suitable for most of the standard ATX chassis.Keyboard Mouse

2. Power output: ATX power supplies offer different voltage and power outputs, including +3.3V, +5V, +12V, and -12V. Often spec'd power supplies also offer a +5V Standby voltage for powering standby requirements.Gaming Power Supply

3. Connectors: ATX power supplies are equipped with a variety of connectors to connect various computer components. These include 20/24-pin ATX motherboard connectors, SATA power connectors for storage drives, Molex connectors for legacy devices, and PCIe power connectors for graphics cards.

4. Energy efficiency and certification: Modern ATX power supplies often have energy efficiency certification standards, such as 80 PLUS certification, which indicates that they meet certain standards of energy efficiency. Energy-efficient power supplies convert power more efficiently, reducing energy waste and electricity bills.

5. Safety Protection: ATX power supplies are equipped with a variety of safety protection features, including over-voltage protection (OVP), over-current protection (OCP), short-circuit protection (SCP), and over-temperature protection, etc., to ensure the safe operation of the power supply and computer system.

How ATX power supplies work:

The ATX power supply takes an AC power input (AC Input) and converts it to a DC voltage output (DC Output) using the built-in power supply unit. The following is the working process of ATX power supply:

1. Input Filtering: The power supply passes the AC Input through the Input Filtering Circuit for filtering, removing interference and noise to provide a clean power input.

2. Rectification and Filtering: AC power is converted to DC power and processed using rectifier and filter circuits to smooth the output voltage and reduce ripple and noise.

3. Transformer and Voltage Regulator: The converted DC power output is converted to the required different voltage outputs such as +3.3V, +5V, and +12V by means of a transformer and voltage regulator.

4. Power Management: The ATX power supply also includes power management functions that enable the power supply's standby mode (e.g. Soft-Off), as well as adjusting the power supply's voltage and power output according to demand, by communicating with the power management circuitry on the motherboard.

5. Temperature control and thermal management: ATX power supplies are usually equipped with temperature sensors and fans to monitor the power supply temperature and adjust the fan speed to ensure that the power supply operates within a safe temperature range.

To summarise, an ATX power supply is an ATX-compliant power supply with standard sizes, multiple power output options and connectors, as well as high energy efficiency and safety protection. It provides reliable power support for computer systems and electronic devices by converting AC power to stable DC power. When choosing the right ATX power supply, consider factors such as power requirements, energy efficiency requirements, safety protection, and compatibility.