Re: Did low voltage cause the pc to fail?

From: w_tom (w_tom1_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 08/19/04 

Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 11:51:12 -0400

  That's all good and nice reasoning which the designer
already considered when he designed a power supply that is not
damaged by brownouts. There is even a circuit inside the
supply that cuts off power IF the supply cannot maintain
required output voltages. Same circuit also sends a signal to
motherboard. Again, no damage to hardware.

  Intel does not make power supplies? Underwriters Laboratory
- UL - does not make anything. Therefore UL standards don't
exist either?

  If a computer power supply is damaged by the brownout, then
the brownout is not a reason for failure. That failure is
directly traceable to the human who typically buys on price
rather than first learn basic electricity concepts.

  If the power supply does not come with written specs -
things they actually claim to do - then one should assume the
worst. These same 'discount' power supplies are sold to
computer assemblers who would blame the brownout rather than
blame themselves. Brownouts do not damage properly
constructed power supplies. Unfortunately those supplies cost
more money. Bean counter mentalities fear spending money.

  I bought my power supply from some guy wearing a black
trench coat and it failed? That proves brownouts cause
computer damage? Unfortunately too many computer assemblers
who don't even have basic electrical knowledge use that
reasoning. A power supplies damaged by a brownout was
defective the minute it was purchased.

"Michael A. Covington" wrote:
> Intel doesn't make PC power supplies. Sometimes we don't know
> *who* makes them. I wouldn't put it past them to have something
> that would fail (or at least blow a fuse) when subjected to
> undervoltage.
>
> After all, undervoltage requires the switching power supply to
> draw *more* current (as it gets less voltage).

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