The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Arcade Collecting => Miscellaneous Arcade Talk => Topic started by: ncflagg on March 09, 2008, 03:18:22 pm

Title: Switching Power Supply best practice
Post by: ncflagg on March 09, 2008, 03:18:22 pm

I've heard you can damage a switching power supply by powering it on without anything connected. Does this mean you need something connected to every voltage? (I.E. -5 +5 & +12) Or, will hooking up JUST the +5 or the +12 be enough to protect it?

Title: Re: Switching Power Supply best practice
Post by: grantspain on March 09, 2008, 04:05:47 pm

it should do no damage at all as it will not power up,a switch mode psu normally powers up with just a +5v load(like a halogen bulb)-thats how i test them anyway

Title: Re: Switching Power Supply best practice
Post by: Ken Layton on March 09, 2008, 07:52:46 pm

It depends on the make and model of power supply. The typical genuine Peter Chou screw terminal supply does not need any load connected to power up or test.

That's a different story for any of the 'computer style' power supplies used in various games. Many must have a load connected to the +5 AND the +12 volt lines.