Advanced Transient Response Tests

In these tests, we monitor the response of the PSU in two different scenarios. First, a transient load (10 A at +12V, 5 A at 5V, 5 A at 3.3V, and 0.5 A at 5VSB) is applied to the PSU for 200 ms while the latter is working at a 20% load state. In the second scenario, the PSU, while working at 50% load, is hit by the same transient load. In both tests, we measure the voltage drops that the transient load causes using our oscilloscope. The voltages should remain within the regulation limits defined by the ATX specification. We must stress here that the above tests are crucial since they simulate transient loads that a PSU is very likely to handle (e.g., booting a RAID array, an instant 100% load of CPU/VGAs, etc.). We call these tests "Advanced Transient Response Tests", and they are designed to be very tough to master, especially for PSUs with capacities lower than 500 W.





The deviations, especially those on the +12V rail, were a little larger than usual, but the units relatively small capacity is a significant drawback in these tests. That said, all the rails remained within the proper voltage regulation ranges in all the tests, but the 3.3V rail did drop dangerously close to the lower limit.

Below, you will find the oscilloscope screenshots we took during our Advanced Transient Response Tests.

Transient Response at 20% Load

Transient Response at 50% Load

Turn-On Transient Tests

We measure the response of the PSU in simpler scenarios of transient loads--during the power-on phase of the PSU--in the next set of tests. In the first test, we turn the PSU off, dial the maximum current that the 5VSB can output, and then switch on the PSU. In the second test, we dial the maximum load that +12V can handle and start the PSU while the PSU is in standby mode. In the last test, while the PSU is completely switched off (we cut off power or switch off the PSU's on/off switch), we dial the maximum load that the +12V rail can handle before switching the PSU on from the loader and restoring power. The ATX specification states that recorded spikes on all rails should not exceed 10% of their nominal values (e.g., +10% for 12V is 13.2V and 5.5V is 5V).


A small voltage overshoot occurred on the 5VSB rail. It, however, was much lower than the limit. Things were better at +12V since no noticeable spikes or voltage overshoots appeared on the scope shots. All tests also had the slopes ramp up smoothly within the specified rise time (0.2-20 ms).