DC Load Regulation and AC Ripple
DC Output Load Regulation
To simulate real world and maximum loading conditions, the Cooler Master V Series 850W PSU was connected to the load testers and supplied with a constant 115 VAC. In this test we are interested in seeing how well a PSU can maintain the various output voltages while operating under different loads.
The ATX12V V2.2 tolerance for voltages states how much each output (rail) is allowed to fluctuate and has tighter tolerances now for the +12V outputs. I have also included a second table of expanded tolerances (±1% to ±6%) for reference.
The following tables list the DC voltage results for the PSU while operating on 115 VAC, 60 Hz.
The PSU maintained excellent load regulation on all of the outputs across a broad range of loads; even when delivering the maximum rated capacity of 850 watts DC power. The three primary outputs stayed within ±2% the entire time; much better than the ATX guideline recommendations of ±5% and within CM’s claims of ±1% for the +12V output. Outstanding!
AC Ripple and Noise on the DC Outputs
The amount of AC ripple and noise present on the DC outputs was checked using a digital oscilloscope. This AC component may be present in the KHz range where most switching power supplies operate or it may be more prevalent at the 60 Hz line frequency. We adjust the O-scope time base to look for AC ripple at both low and high frequencies. The ATX12V V2.2 specification for DC output noise/ripple is defined in the ATX12V Power Supply Design Guide.
Ideally we would like to see no AC ripple (repetitive) or noise (random) on the DC outputs – the cleaner the better! But in reality there will always be some present. I measured the amplitude of the AC signal (in millivolts, peak-to-peak) to see how well the power supply complied with the ATX standard. The following table lists the ripple/noise results during all of the load tests for the main output voltages of interest.
The Cooler Master V Series 850W power supply exhibited excellent AC ripple suppression on all of the outputs, even while delivering the full 850W.
The Main caps are not 230uF,
The Main caps are not 230uF, they are 320uF…
Looks like 330uf to me from
Looks like 330uf to me from the images, ZOMG.
Thanks for pointing that out
Thanks for pointing that out – my bad. Yes, they are 330 uF. Fixed!
They had to use brown marker
They had to use brown marker on the top of those caps, looks like a blown cap to me from a distance!