Digital Power Supply Tester

I can’t believe I waited all this time to make an investment in a power supply tester for PC computers. This tester will pay for itself in one use.

Manhattan Digital Power Supply Tester
Manhattan Digital Power Supply Tester Model 101530

Given that many of us have more than one PC in our homes or businesses, and the fact that given enough time all electronic items will fail and die, the quick and easy digital power supply tester is the one tool that everyone should have.

After looking at all the pros and cons and reading the Amazon online reviews of the various digital power supply testers, I decided on the Manhatton Digital Power Supply Tester for ATX, 20- or 24-pin connectors.

Here is what can be done with it:

  • Quickly diagnose power supply units, saving time, avoiding system damage, and data loss.
  • Accepts 20- or 24-pin ATX, 4-, 6-, and 8-pin CPU, 4-pin FDD, 4-pin Molex (HDD) and SATA power connectors.
  • Voltage indicator safely and accurately detects voltage presence.
  • Easy to read, backlit LDC display with audible alarms and LED indicators.
  • Sturdy, lightweight, and compact aluminum case; ideal for carrying in a toolkit or having it on the technician’s bench.
  • Lifetime Warranty.

The instructions are included with the device, though you have to look inside the sandwiched cardboard display sleeve to find them.

The directions are easy and is actually very simple to use.

  • Make sure the power supply and all the connections are removed from the computer.
  • Plug in the main 20- or 24-pin ATX connector from a power supply that you want to check.
  • Two beeps indicate that the liquid-crystal display (LCD) has updated each voltage and power-good (PG) value based on what is currently being tested.
  • The 12 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V LEDs will light if their corresponding power outputs are good, and reamian off if the power outputs fail. (The voltage sources are to be tested one by one.)
  • Test any of the component voltage cables one at a time by attaching a 4-, 6-, or 8-pin CPU connector, 4-pin FDD or Molex (HDD) connector (+12 V1 / +5 V), or SATA (+12 V1 / +5 V / +3.3 V) connector to the tester, checking the appropriate LEDs for output indications.
  • Remove each non-ATX connector after each test. Caution: Besides the 20 or 24-pin ATX connector, do not plug more than one additional power connector at a time into the tester.
Normal Voltage Range* Display Voltage Range*
Lower (A) Higher (B) Min. (C) Max. (D)
+5 V +4.75 V +5.25 V 4.0 V 6.0 V
-12 V -11 V -13 V -10 V -14 V
+12 V1 +11 V +13 V 10 V 14 V
+12 V2 +11 V +13 V 10 V 14 V
+3.3 V +3.14 V +3.47 V 2.0 V 4.5 V
+5 VSB +4.75 V +5.25 V 4.0 V 9.0 V
PG 0 ms 990 ms

* +/-5% for +5 V, +3.3 V, +5 VSB; +/-10% for +12 V1, +12 V2, -12 V.

Voltage Table and Readings

  • Abnormal voltage will not display on the LCD.
  • “LL” displays when no voltage or voltage lower than a minimum acceptable value is detected.
  • “HH” displays when voltage is higher than a maximum acceptable value is detected.
  • If the detected voltage is lower than table value (A) or higher than table value (B), an alarm beeps.
  • If the detected PG value is lower than 100 ms or higher than 900 ms, an alarm beeps and the reading blinks on the LCD screen.

The tester works as advertised. Quite a handy device.

Check it out: Manhattan Digital Power Supply Tester

Jim