Pacific NorthWest Computers: power testing

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Power Tester/Injector - GPUs & Electronics; Diagnostics & Testing, etc.

"Homebrew" Power Tester/Injector - Electronics Diagnostic Tool!!

I built this device to allow me to measure the power being drawn by a device (meter on the right). If a device is working, it'll pull a certain amperage and voltage when power is applied.
But it can also inject power (meter/device on the left) to force very low amperage into a device, so I can check that device's board with a thermal camera for shorts.

Device Functionality Breakdown:

The meter at the top is just to verify the power coming in from my adjustable bench DC power supply is accurate and not higher or lower than it should be.
The toggle on the right lets me change the outputs from the main terminal outs to the banana jacks and also can kill the power going out altogether.
The toggle on the left lets me activate/deactivate the power injection (so I can pulse it on/off) as well as switch the left device's outputs to its banana jacks.
The banana jacks (round ports) are so I can hook up probes directly to interface with either device/meter for manual probing.

Initial research, brainstorming, and drawing out the rough idea/design.

All of the needed components, connectors, switches, etc.

Test layout of the top panel using cardboard to test fit and lay out how everything is going to look, but will also making sure I have the needed room/clearance on the back side for getting stuff connected and wired up.

TinkerCad design of the 3D Printed Top Panel.

Had to print twice due to some minor adjustments, but the top panel came together great!

Bottom case of TinkerCad design.

Added some bottom vents, a DC power jack input on the rear, and also moved the external terminal power output to the rear of the enclosure in the final version of the bottom case.