{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-1.jpg\/aid16887-v4-728px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 1 Look online or at your local computer store for an ATX computer power supply, or dismantle an old computer and remove the power supply from the case.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-2.jpg\/aid16887-v4-728px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 2 Unplug the power cable from the power supply and turn off the switch on the back (if there is one). Also, be sure you are not grounded so that remaining voltage doesn't flow through you to ground.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-5.jpg\/aid16887-v4-728px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 5 Discharge the power supply by letting it sit unconnected for a few days. Some people suggest attaching a 10 ohm resistor between a black and red wire (from the power cables on the output side), however this is only guaranteed to drain the low voltage capacitors on the output - which aren't dangerous to begin with! It could leave the high-voltage capacitors charged, resulting in a potentially dangerous - or even lethal - situation.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/58\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/58\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-8.jpg\/aid16887-v4-728px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 8 Bundle wires of the same colors together. If you have wires not listed here (brown, etc.), see the Tips. The color code for the wires is: Red = +5V, Black = Ground (0V), White = -5V, Yellow = +12V, Blue = -12V, Orange = +3.3V, Purple = +5V Standby (not used), Gray = power is on (output), and Green = PS_ON# (turn DC on by shorting to ground).

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-9.jpg\/aid16887-v4-728px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 9 Drill holes in a free area of the power supply case by marking the center of the holes with a nail and a tap from the hammer. Use a Dremel to drill the starting holes followed by a hand reamer to enlarge the holes until they are the right size by test fitting the binding posts. Also, drill holes for the power ON LED and a Power switch (optional).

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-11.jpg\/aid16887-v4-728px-Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 11 Connect all the pieces together. Connect one of the red wires to the power resistor, all the remaining red wires to the red binding posts;

Connect one of the black wires to the other end of the power resistor, one black wire to the cathode (shorter lead) of the LED, one black wire to the DC-On switch, all the remaining black wires to the black binding post;

Connect the white to the -5V binding post, yellow to the +12V binding post, the blue to the -12V binding post, the gray to a resistor (330 ohm) and attach it to the anode (longer lead) of the LED;

Note that some power supplies may have either a gray or brown wire to represent "power good"/"power ok". (Most PSU's have a smaller orange wire that is used for sensing-- 3.3V- and this wire is usually paired at the connector to another orange wire. Make sure this wire is connected to the other orange wires, otherwise your lab power supply won't stay on.) This wire should be connected to either an orange wire (+3.3V) or a red wire (+5V) for the power supply to function. When in doubt, try the lower voltage first (+3.3V). If a power supply is non ATX or AT compliant, it may have its own color scheme. If yours looks different that the pictures shown here, make sure you reference the position of the wires attached to the AT/ATX connector rather than the colors.

Connect the green wire to the other terminal on the switch.

Make sure that the soldered ends are insulated in heat shrink tubing.

Organize the wires with an electrical tape or zip-ties.

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<\/p><\/div>"} 12 Check for loose connections by gently tugging on them. Inspect for bare wire, and cover it to prevent a short circuit. Put a drop of super-glue to stick the LED to its hole. Put the cover back on.