This practical guide to switch-mode power supplies is designed to provide technicians with a better understanding of how power supplies operate. It also provides practical, useful procedures to follow when you are troubleshooting switch-mode power supplies.

Provides you with specific maintenance and repair techniques that will save time. Includes details on how to use test equipment, troubleshooting tips, guidelines, and methods, and a chapter on flat-panel displays.

Power Supply design is all about detail. And a large part of that detail lies in the practical domain, largely because of the typically small number of microseconds of switching periods involved, and the even smaller tens of nanoseconds of switch transition times --- all these, in effect accentuating various "second-order" effects, that eventually end up playing prime havoc with "normal" expectations of how the circuit should behave. So not unsurprisingly, even after reading several books, most readers still find themselves no closer to the ultimate goal of designing an actual power supply. Sooner or later, all engineers start realizing the hard fact that designing a switching power supply isn't the trivial task it once seemed to be. But even after years of successfully mastering the underlying theory, the ultimate goal of creating a cost-effective, reliable and commercially viable power supply may still remain a distant dream, since success ultimately hinges on experience. That is, in fact, what clearly differentiates a senior and seasoned power supply engineer from the others --- the ability to navigate and surmount a veritable minefield of tricky issues that can only be learned the hard way, by actual hands-on experience on the job. This book presents practical knowledge the author acquired rather painfully, while working "in the trenches" for several years in major engineering companies scattered across several continents. This is intended to be the mythical senior engineer's "bag of tricks," finally made available in the form of an easy-to-read book on your shelf. This book will make life for the ambitious power supply engineer much simpler --- besides reducing significantly, the rigorous requirement of having to be a senior engineer's protégé for years on end, just to gain a small measure of real success in this field.* A practical presentation that answers the important question: why is my switching converter behaving so differently than what I was expecting on the basis of my paper design? And how do I bridge that huge gap?* For the first time, a systematic and thorough discussion of troubleshooting switching power supplies.* Coverage of AC/DC and DC/DC power supplies. * Bench Evaluation of semiconductor ICs used in power conversion --- describing standard and unusual techniques mastered by the author, while testing similar chips at National Semiconductor. * Detailed coverage of vital topics that haven't been covered by available sources --- grounding systems, the subtleties of component datasheets, and using instruments and probes effectively.* Systematic investigation (type of failure mechanism, topology, etc.) and solutions for 5 years of reported power supply issues on a prominent, public web forum. This approach will ensure that engineers will not repeat the same mistakes. * A unique, readable style: personal and direct; no mystification--- just the plain truth, easily and logically explained, with plenty of pictures, graphs and plots.

A unique visual approach to troubleshooting PC hardware problems. Morris Rosenthal creates a visual expert system for diagnosing component failure and identifying conflicts. The seventeen diagnostic flowcharts at the core of this book are intended for the intermediate to advanced hobbyist, or the beginning technician. Following a structured approach to troubleshooting hardware reduces the false diagnoses and parts wastage typical of the "swap 'till you drop" school of thought. Flowcharts include: Power Supply Failure, Video Failure, Video Performance, Motherboard, CPU, RAM Failure, Motherboard, CPU, RAM Performance, IDE Drive Failure, Hard Drive Boot and Performance, CD or DVD Playback, CD or DVD Recording Problem, Modem Failure, Modem Performance, Sound Failure, Sound and Game Controller Performance, Network Failure, Peripheral Failure, SCSI Failure and Conflict Resolution.

This book provides information that will make it possible for technicians and electronics hobbyists to service audio faster, more efficiently, and more economically. This makes it more likely that consumers will choose not to discard their faulty products, but will have them restored by a trained professional.

A Do-It-Yourself Guide To Troubleshooting and Repairing Your EASY, comprehensive technology troubleshooter! PCs, smartphones, tablets, networks, cameras, home theater and more—all in one book! We all use technology—and we all have problems with it. Don’t get frustrated... and don’t waste money on costly repair or support calls! Solve the problems yourself, with the one guide that makes it easy: The PC and Gadget Help Desk. Using clear pictures, handy “symptom tables,” and easy-to-use flowcharts, Mark Edward Soper walks you step-by-step through identifying, solving, and preventinghundreds of today’s most aggravating tech problems. Soper covers all your major platforms: iPhones, iPads, Android devices, Windows systems, and more. He even helps you fix the weird problems that happen when you use them together! Regain lost Internet access and fix broken Wi-Fi connections Solve problems with viewing and sharing media or other files Track down power problems wherever they arise Troubleshoot printing problems and print from smartphones or tablets Fix missing video or audio on your HDTV or home theater system Get syncing working right on your Apple or Android device Improve your PC’s 3D gaming performance Identify and replace flaky memory chips Prevent overheating that can damage your equipment Solve common problems with digital cameras and DV camcorders Troubleshoot iOS or Android antennas, updates, screens, and connectivity Get FaceTime working right on your iPhone or iPad Troubleshoot eReaders and display your eBooks on additional devices Sensibly decide whether to upgrade, repair, or replace Mark Edward Soper has spent 30 years as an instructor and corporate trainer, helping thousands of people work more happily with personal technology. He is the author of PC Help Desk in a Book, and is the co-author of Leo Laporte’s PC Help Desk, as well as more than 25 other books on Windows, digital imaging, networking, the Internet, IT certification, and computer troubleshooting. Soper is a CompTIA A+ Certified computer technician and Microsoft Certified Professional. BONUS ONLINE VIDEOS: Includes access to free, studio-quality how-to videos that make troubleshooting and repair even easier!

This bestselling guide provides a comprehensive resource for dot-matrix, inkjet and electrophotographic printers. Topics include print technologies, test instruments, communications standards, and mechanical and electrical components