Method and apparatus for power supply testing

• US 5,710,701 A
• Filed: 07/31/1995
• Issued: 01/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Brown, Alan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elmore, Reba I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garland, Steven R.
• Application Number:
  US08/509,264
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 340/657, 340/660, 340/556, 340/514, 340/515, 324/556, 324/133, 324/72.5, 324/771, 364/186, 364/483, 307/64, 307/87, 371/22.1, 371/22.5, 371/22.6, 395/182.2, 395/184.01
• US Class Current: 700/80
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision

Abstract

A power supply includes circuitry implementing a self-testing method in which the power supply is first disconnected from its source and the system which it supplies. The power supply testing method then applies an external power source to the supply, insures that the power supply planar is disconnected from the application system and applies a simulated full load to the power supply output. The power supply output voltages are then tested for compliance with predetermined specifications and a test result signal is given to the user. The power supply is then shut off and available for re-connection to the application system.

Claims

1. A testing device arranged for connection between a power supply apparatus and electronic application circuitry, said power supply apparatus having input terminals thereof arranged for connection to an external power source, said power supply apparatus being selectively operable to provide at least one supply voltage at output terminals thereof for application to the electronic application circuitry, said testing device comprising:

a timing signal generating device coupled to the input terminals of the power supply apparatus, said timing signal generating device being responsive to a signal received from the external power source for providing a first timing signal after attainment of a first predetermined voltage level at a selected node within said power supply apparatus following a connection of said power supply apparatus to the external power source;

simulated load current generating means coupled to said timing signal generating device, said simulated load current generating means being responsive to said first timing signal for applying a simulated load current across the output terminals of the power supply apparatus and providing an indicium signal, said indicium signal being representative of a relationship between said one supply voltage across the output terminals of the power supply apparatus during an application of said simulated load current, and a predetermined output voltage specification.

2. A testing device arranged for connection between a power supply apparatus and electronic application circuitry, said power supply apparatus having input terminals thereof arranged for connection to an external power source, said power supply apparatus being selectively operable to provide a plurality of supply voltages at output terminals thereof for application to the electronic application circuitry, said testing device comprising:

a timing signal generating device coupled to the input terminals of the power supply apparatus, said timing signal generating device being responsive to a signal received from the external power source for providing a first timing signal after attainment of a first predetermined voltage level at a selected node within said power supply apparatus following a connection of said power supply apparatus to the external power source;

simulated load current generating means coupled to said timing signal generating device, said simulated load current generating means being responsive to said first timing signal for applying a simulated load current across the output terminals of the power supply apparatus and providing an indicium signal, said indicium signal being representative of relationships between said plurality of supply voltages and a plurality of corresponding output voltage specifications.

3. A power supply apparatus including a testing device, said power supply apparatus having input terminals thereof arranged for connection to an external power source, said power supply apparatus being selectively operable to provide at least one supply voltage at output terminals thereof for application to electronic application circuitry, said testing device comprising:

a timing signal generating device coupled to the input terminals of the power supply apparatus, said timing signal generating device being responsive to a signal received from the external power source for providing a first timing signal after attainment of a first predetermined voltage level at a selected node within said power supply apparatus following a connection of said power supply apparatus to the external power source;

simulated load current generating means coupled to said timing signal generating device, said simulated load current generating means being responsive to said first timing signal for applying a simulated load current across the output terminals of the power supply apparatus and providing an indicium signal, said indicium signal being representative of a relationship between said one supply voltage across the output terminals of the power supply apparatus during an application of said simulated load current, and a predetermined output voltage specification.

4. A power supply apparatus including a testing device, said power supply apparatus having input terminals thereof arranged for connection to an external power source, said power supply apparatus being selectively operable to provide at least one supply voltage at output terminals thereof for application to electronic application circuitry, said testing device comprising:

a timing signal generating device coupled to the input terminals of the power supply apparatus, said timing signal generating device being responsive to a signal received from the external power source for providing a first timing signal after attainment of a first predetermined voltage level at a selected node within said power supply apparatus following a connection of said power supply apparatus to the external power source;

simulated load current generating means coupled to said timing signal generating device, said simulated load current generating means being responsive to said first timing signal for applying a simulated load current across the output terminals of the power supply apparatus and providing an indicium signal, said indicium signal being representative of the relationships between said plurality of supply voltages and a plurality of corresponding output voltage specifications.