How to Clean and Maintain your SMPS – Switched Mode Power Supply


In this article I will show you how to clean and maintain your Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS ). Extend the life of your computer by ensuring your power supply unit is running cool.

If your SMPS is dirty, its fan may stop rotating, resulting in overheating. Do not open the SMPS if it’s under warranty. Avoid touching internal components with your bare hands. Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. A screwdriver
  2. A handy blow pump
  3. A  brush.

Here are the steps you should follow in order to clean and make your SMPS  work better than before..

Step 1:

Switch off the computer, open the cabinet and disconnect the cables running from the SMPS to the internal peripherals.Unscrew the SMPS and place it on a large sheet of newspaper. Now open the four screws located on the top of the PSU.

unscrew the SMPS and open the fan

Step 2:

Use the brush to carefully clean the inside of the unit, the circuit board and the heat sinks. Use the bristles to tap stubborn dust particles settled in places hard to reach. Finally use the air pump to blow out the dust from the unit.

maintain your SMPS

Note: Some power supplies may have a charge remaining in the capacitors even when there is no power. Be careful while handling the circuit board inside the unit. Do not touch any exposed metal parts.

Step 3:

Unscrew and carefully remove the fan from the chassis. Now clean the fan in the same manner like the PSU’s case. Apply a few drops of machine oil to the fan spindle, for smoother operation.

Step 4:

Finally after cleaning is done, screw the fan back onto the chassis. Screw it back into the cabinet, reattach all the power cables and you’re done. Clean the PSU every four months if you live in an area where dust accumulates quickly.

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