How To Test A Computer Power Supply (PSU) Using A Voltmeter - A Simple Guide

There are few things that inspire more dread when building a PC the muffled POC sound a motherboard or GPU makes when it dies due to too much voltage being applied by the PSU when you try to turn it on for the first time.

As a general rule,  you should never just plug in any PSU that is not brand new to check if it works or not as there is a chance you might end up damaging whatever components are used for testing.

In this video I cover the basics when it comes to choosing and testing any pre-owned PSU on its own using simple tools without the need to expose yourself or your kit to unnecessary risks.

PLEASE NOTE: Always wear thick insulating gloves when opening up any computer power supply - there is a chance that the capacitors are still charged hours or even days after unplugging it from the mains giving you a nasty shock if you accidentally touch the terminals with your hands.

Contents:

00:00 Intro and safety advice
01:46 Visual inspection - Good PSU
02:45 Visual inspection - Bad PSU
03:40 Bench start  & test - Good PSU
05:33 Bench start & test - Bad PSU
05:48 PSU option 1: Decent Budget
06:40 PSU option 2: Mid-Range
07:04 PSU option 3: Low-End
07:30 PSU option 4: Garbage Level
08:30 PSU option 5: Premium
09:25 Understanding PSU labels
12:10 Integrator PSU (HP, Dell) compatibility