A study of the overload protection reliability of modern personal computer power supplies using a custom-built load testing rig

The article presents a methodology for the experimental assessment of the reliability of built-in overload protection (OCP/OPP) in personal computer power supply units (PSUs). A low-cost load test rig was designed and assembled for the testing, utilizing 50 W automotive halogen lamps connected in parallel as the active load elements. The paper presents theoretical calculations of the test rig’s electrical parameters based on Ohm’s law, describes the procedure for step-loading the power supply unit (PSU) via the +12 V rail, and analyzes the resulting experimental data. It is shown that the proposed test rig enables the clear determination of the protection activation threshold and the assessment of how well the PSU’s actual performance matches its rated specifications. The results demonstrate the method’s effectiveness for use in educational laboratories and repair workshops.

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