A Look Inside & Component Analysis

Before reading this page, we strongly suggest a look at this article, which will help you understand the internal components of a PSU much better. Our main tool for the disassembly of the PSU is a Thermaltronics TMT-9000S soldering and rework station. It is of extremely quality and is equipped with a matching de-soldering gun. With such equipment in hand, breaking apart every PSU is like a walk in the park!


This time, Enermax didn't go to another vendor for their budget-oriented units, but has, instead, built the unit themselves. This is good news of course, since they have been manufacturing PSUs for quite a long time, releasing many excellent products to date. However, their main problem was and most likely still is their high production cost, which has kept them from making a strong entry into the mainstream and mid-end categories, but this will hopefully change with the Triathlor series. The platform of this PSU uses a classic design, since we don't come across an exotic topology in the primary side, which would prove unnecessary for a Bronze unit, and the secondary side uses synchronous rectification for +12V and two DC-DC converters for the minor rails. We had to remove some components to provide you with a clearer view—namely, the APFC cap and choke, and the main transformer.


The first part of the transient filtering stage is housed on a small PCB right behind the AC receptacle. There, we found four Y caps, a single X cap, a CM choke, and a CM02X IC that discharges the X cap when AC voltage is disconnected. The second part of the transient filter is located on the main PCB and only includes a CM choke and an MOV.


The single bridge rectifier is bolted onto a dedicated heatsink. We already removed many parts from the PSU and didn't feel like removing this one just to identify it.


The APFC section has two K18A60 fets and a 15ETH06 boost diode. The single hold-up cap is provided by Matsushita/Panasonic (400 V, 390 μF, 85°C). Finally, two CEP14N5 are employed as main switchers.


The main transformer of the PSU is small because it has to handle very little power.


Four CEP6056 fets on the secondary side rectify the +12V rail. The minor rails are generated by two small DC-DC converters, and three fets and a PWM controller are installed with each one.


All filtering caps of the secondary side are provided by Nippon Chemi-Con and are rated at 105°C.


The 5VSB rail rectifies an MBR10B60CTH diode.


The combo PFC/PWM controller is a Champion CM6800 IC and the protections of the unit are handled by a Weltrend WT7527V IC. It supports OCP for up to two +12V rails, which matches the specifications of the unit. Both of the aforementioned ICs are installed on the component side of the main PCB.


Soldering quality is good, although definitely not amongst the best we have ever seen. We spotted two current sense resistors under the +12V islands, so this unit really does have two +12V rails.


Not only Lora but also Anita signs the unit's PCB.


The small modular PCB includes seven sockets. On its rear side, two small electrolytic caps provide some extra filtering.


The nine-blade cooling fan carries the Enermax logo, and its model number is ED122512H-DD (12V, 0.3A). According to its maker, it uses twister bearings for lower noise output and increased lifespan, and its specially designed blades, named Batwings, offer up to 20% more airflow as compared to conventional blades.