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PS, P/S, or PSU

Updated: 01/31/2019 by Computer Hope

103
SHARES PS, P/S, or PSU may refer to any of the following:

1. PS, P/S, or PSU are abbreviations for

power supply or power supply unit.
A power supply is a hardware
component of a computer that supplies
all components in a computer with
power. The power supply converts a
110-115 or 220-230 volt AC
(alternating current) into a steady low-
voltage DC (direct current) usable by
the computer and rated by the number
of watts it generates. For example, the
image to the right is an Antec True 330,
a 330 Watt power supply.

Caution: Never open the casing of a power supply. It contains

capacitors capable of holding a strong electrical charge, even if the
computer is off and unplugged for an extended period of time.

Tip: You can protect your power supply and your computer from a
surge and voltage drops by investing in a UPS. If you cannot afford a
UPS, you should at the very least have the computer plugged into a
surge protector.

Where is the power supply located in a computer?

Parts found on the back of a power supply.

Parts found inside a power supply.

What items are powered by the computer PSU?

Related pages.

Where is the power supply located in a computer?

In most computers, the power supply is located at the back of the
computer. In a tower computer case, the power supply is usually located
at the top back or bottom back of the case. In a desktop computer case,
the power supply is located at the back left or back right of the case.

What does the inside of a computer look like?

Parts found on the back of a power supply

Below is a list of parts you may find on the back of the power supply.

A connection for the power cord to the computer.

A fan opening to draw air and heat out of the power supply.

A red switch to change the power supply voltage.

A rocker switch to turn the power supply on and off.

On the front of the power supply, which is not visible unless the
computer is opened, you will find several cables. These cables connect to
the computer motherboard and other internal components. A power
supply connects to the motherboard using an ATX style connector and
may have one or more of the following cables to connect power to other
devices.

Auxiliary connector

Berg connector

Molex connector

P4 connector

Parts found inside a power supply

Below is a list of parts you will find inside a power supply.

A filter that smooths out the DC (direct current) coming from a rectifier.

A rectifier that converts AC (alternating current) into DC.

A transformer that controls the incoming voltage by stepping it up or

stepping it down.

A voltage regulator that controls the DC output, allowing the correct

amount of power, volts or watts, to be supplied to the computer

hardware.

The order in which these internal power supply components function is

as follows.

1. Transformer

2. Rectifier

3. Filter
4. Voltage Regulator

What items are powered by the computer PSU?

Everything contained in the computer chassis is powered by the power
supply. For example, the motherboard, RAM, CPU, hard drive, and disc
drive are all drawing power from the power supply. Some higher end
video cards draw power directly from the power supply as well. Any
other external devices and peripherals, such as the computer monitor
and printer, have their own power source.

Note: If the computer is a laptop or an all-in-one computer, the

display may also be powered by the computer power supply.

Related pages

How big of a computer power supply should I get?

How to install a computer power supply.

Computer power supply manufacturers.

Computer power supply help and support.

2. With Linux, ps is a command, see the ps command page for further

information.

3. PS is short for PowerShell.

4. On a keyboard the Ps or Ps/SR key is short for the print screen key.

Also see: AC adapter, Computer acronyms, Hardware terms, Power cord, Power switch, Power terms,
Redundant power supply, SMPS

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