How to Troubleshoot an AC/DC Power Supply
Most electronic appliances have a power supply converting AC from your wall socket to DC for use within the appliance. When the power supply is no longer supplying power to your appliance, you may need to follow a few simple troubleshooting procedures to identify the problem. Most power supplies convert a 120VAC input to a lower voltage DC output using the three basic parts of an AC/DC power supply. These parts are the step-down transformer, the rectifier and the filter.
Troubleshooting an AC/DC power supply
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Plug the power supply into a wall socket and measure its DC output, noting if the output is steady or fluctuates. If the output is close to the rated value, but fluctuates, the transformer and rectifier are likely okay. If there is no DC output, skip ahead to Step 4.
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Unplug the power supply. Unsolder the connection from the rectifier to the filter and use the DMM to measure each filter capacitor, checking for a shorted, open or leaky capacitor. If there are no bad capacitors, go to the next step. Remove the bad capacitor, being sure to suck or wick the bad capacitor's attachment points before soldering the replacement back in. Test again as in Step 1.
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Use the DMM to measure the filter's smoothing resistor's value or verify continuity if smoothing is done with an inductor. Replace bad component if resistor value is off or the inductor is completely shorted. Repeat test from Step 1.
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Use the DMM to read the AC voltage across the step down transformer's secondary (not the AC input) winding. This should read an AC voltage a bit over twice the expected DC voltage output.
In a 12VDC power supply, the secondary winding should read around 30 VAC. Most likely, a failed transformer will have little or no reading on the secondary winding. Replace transformer if bad, then test the new one as in Step 1.
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Switch the DMM to read DC voltage and measure the output of the rectifier stage. This should show a value near the expected DC output but will have a lot of fluctuation in the reading as it is a series of half-waves.
At this point for the 12 VDC power supply, the rectifier reading will be around 13 VDC with a lot of fluctuation.
Tips
- If the DC reading is not in the expected range, unplug the power supply and use the soldering iron and solder sucker (or solder wick) to lift one end of each rectifying diode. Switch the DMM to diode reading and check each isolated diode for opens or shorts, replacing any failed diodes and soldering all diodes back into place. If your power supply has a single rectifier block and the reading on the secondary winding of the transformer was good, replace the whole rectifier block.
Warnings
- Soldering irons are hot; take care when using one. Wear safety glasses when soldering or working inside the energized power supply.
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