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. In any case, the voltages should remain within the regulation limits defined by the ATX specification. We must stress here that the above tests are crucial because 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". They are designed to be very tough to master; especially for PSUs with capacities lower than 500 W.





The +12V rail registered low voltage drops during the above tests with the 5V rail trailing behind the +12V rail in performance. The 5VSB was the best performer here. The 3.3V rail showed a small weakness since it exceeded 4% deviation during the first test. Nevertheless, it managed to keep its voltage above 3.2V. Overall, the G-550 performed quite will on these tests.


Below, you will see the oscilloscope screenshots that we took during the Advanced Transient Response Testing.

Transient Response at 20% Load

Transient Response at 50% Load

Turn-On Transient Tests

In the next set of tests, we measure the response of the PSU in simpler scenarios of transient loads during the power-on phase of the PSU. In the first test, we turn off the PSU, dial the max current that 5VSB can output, and then switch on the PSU. In the second test, while the PSU is in standby mode, we dial the maximum load that +12V can handle and start the PSU. 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, switch the PSU on from the loader, and restore 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 for 5V is 5.5V).


We didn't measure any voltage overshoots or spikes during these tests and the +12V ones ramp up quite smoothly. That is, besides a small step at the 5VSB slope. The rise time is, in all cases, within the ATX specs (0.2-20ms).