Main purposes of the ATE (Automatic Test Equipment) conventional power supply testing system:

1. Quality Detection

   • Parameter Measurement: Accurately measure various parameters of the power supply, such as voltage, current, power, frequency, etc. By comparing with standard parameters, it can be determined whether the output of the power supply is stable and accurate, and relevant quality standards and specifications. For example, when producing computer power supplies, it is necessary to use the ATE system to test the rated voltage and current of the power supply to ensure they are within the allowed error range.
   • Stability Testing: Evaluate the stability of the power supply under different load conditions, working hours, and ambient temperatures. Long-duration load testing can simulate the actual usage situations of the power supply, detecting whether it can continuously and stably output electric energy, and whether there are issues such as voltage fluctuations or sudden current changes. For example, server power supplies need to provide power stably for a long time, and stability testing with the ATE system can help discover potential problems in advance.
   • Reliability Evaluation: Evaluate the reliability and service life of the power supply through methods such as accelerated life testing and temperature cycle testing. These tests can simulate various harsh conditions that the power supply may encounter during long-term use, such as high temperatures, low temperatures, humidity changes, etc., to predict the failure rate and mean time between failures of the power supply.

2. Function Verification

   • Protection Function Testing: Detect whether various protection functions of the power supply are working properly, such as over-voltage protection, over-current protection, short-circuit protection, over-temperature protection, etc. When the power supply experiences abnormal conditions, the protection functions should promptly cut off the circuit to prevent the power supply and connected devices from being damaged. The ATE system can simulate various fault situations to verify whether the protection functions of the power supply are sensitive and reliable.
   • Start-Up and Shut-Down Characteristics Testing: Test the start-up time, shut-down time, and output characteristics during the start-up and shut-down processes of the power supply. For some equipment with strict requirements for power supply start-up and shut-down, such as servers and generators, this test is crucial. For example, server power supplies need to complete start-up and provide stable power supply in a short time to ensure the normal operation of the server.
   • Special Function Testing: According to different types of power supplies and their application scenarios, test some special functions. For example, the PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) function of switching power supplies and the regulation ratio function of linear power supplies. Through these tests, it can be ensured that the special functions of the power supply meet the design requirements and can satisfy the specific usage needs of certain equipment.