Meaning of power source (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Power Source:

Power source is a component of the computer that is responsible for transforming an alternating electrical current into a continuous electrical current, transmitting the essential and necessary electrical current to computers for the proper functioning and protection of these.

Two types of power sources are known: AT Power Source and ATX Power Source.

AT Power Source

The power source AT its initials AT stands for Advanced Technology translated into Spanish Advanced Technology. The AT power source is also known as AT power supply, analog source, mechanical ignition source, among others.

AT Power Source Features

The AT power source has the following characteristics:

It is of mechanical ignition, it has a switch that when pressed changes its position and it does not return to its initial state until it is pressed again.

Some power sources have a three-terminal connector to power the CRT monitor from the same source.

It is a saving source since it does not remain in "Stand by" or "Wait" because deleting the button cuts off the power supply.

It is safe since when it is turned on the electricity is interrupted within the circuits.

These types of sources range from computers as old as the Intel 8026 microprocessor to Intel Pentium MMX processor computers.

AT Power Source Colors and Wires

The AT power source has 3 types of output connectors:

Molex and Berg type connectors are those that are used in peripherals that need more power consumption, such as: hard drives, optical drives, disk drives, each connector has 4 power lines. Molex and Berg type connectors are identified with the following colors: 1 red (5 Volts) power line, 2 black (ground) power lines, 1 yellow (12 Volts) power line.

The AT type connector is the one that interconnects the AT source to the motherboard, it has 12 power lines that are distinguished with the following colors; 1 orange power line (Power Good), 4 red power lines (5 Volts), 1 yellow power line (12 Volts), 1 blue power line (-12 Volts), 1 line white power supply (-5 Volts) and 4 black power supply lines (ground).

The correct connection from the AT source to the motherboard is through 6 power lines, which must be plugged in so that the black cables are joined in the center.

ATX Power Source

The ATX power source the acronym ATX stands for Advanced Technology Extended. The ATX power source is the second generation of power sources, it is the current power source that replaces the AT power source. The ATX power source is known as ATX power supply, digital source, digital ignition source, among other names. The ATX power source was created by Intel in 1995 in order to optimize input and output peripherals and reduce the cost of the system.

ATX Power Source Features

The ATX power supply has the following features:

It is digital ignition, it has a button instead of a switch.

Some power sources have a rear mechanical switch to prevent the idle state during which it consumes minimal and unnecessary amounts of electrical power.

The shutdown of the ATX power source can be operated from the software.

These types of sources range from computers with an Intel Premium MMX microprocessor to computers with the latest microprocessors.

ATX Power Source Colors and Wires

The ATX power supply contains 6 types of output connectors:

The ATX power source has the same Molex and Berg type connectors as the AT power source.

The SATA / SATA 2 connector is that connector used in hard disk devices has 15 power lines and are identified as follows; 3 V33 power lines (3.3 Volts), 3 V5 power lines (5 Volts), 3 V12 power lines (12 Volts), 4 GND power lines (ground), 1 reserved line.

The ATX connector is the one that interconnects the ATX source to the motherboard, it has 24 power lines made up of the following colors; 4 orange power lines (3.3 Volts), 8 black (ground) power lines, 6 red power lines (5 Volts), 1 gray power line (Power Good), 1 line purple power supply (5 VSB), 2 yellow power supply lines (12 Volts), 1 blue power supply line (-12 Volts), 1 green power supply line (Power On), 1 power line white power supply (-5 Volts).

The connector for 4-terminal processor is the one that powers modern processors, it has 2 black power lines (ground) and 2 yellow power lines (12 Volts).

The PCIe connector, 6 and 8 terminal connector, is intended to power the PCIe type video card, it has 4 black power lines (ground) and 4 yellow lines (12 Volts).

The ATX power source allows a single way of connection avoiding errors as it happened in the AT power source.

Operation of AT and ATX power sources

The process of converting alternating current into direct current through AT and ATX power sources comprises 4 stages:

Transformation: The voltage of the commercial power line is reduced from 127 Volts to 12 Volts or 5 Volts by the use of the electronic element called reducing coils.

Rectification: The voltage of the alternating current is transformed into the voltage of the direct current, allowing only the positive values ​​of the wave to pass through the electronic element called diodes.

Filtering: Softens the voltage and quality to the direct current through electronic elements named capacitors.

Stabilization: The smoothed voltage is linearized by the use of the distinguished electronic element as an integrated circuit. In this stage the necessary energy is supplied to the computers.