Technique: iMac Intel 20" EMC 2210 Power Supply Output Voltage Test

User-Contributed Guide

User-Contributed Guide

An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.

  • Author: Richdave
  • Time required: 30 minutes
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Add Note x
  • x 5

* The purpose of this guide is to provide detail on testing of the iMac PSU voltages.

  • Should only be attempted by those with experience working with a multimeter or voltmeter and LIVE equipment.
  • If you don't know how to use a meter to measure voltages then you should not proceed.
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Access Door  ¶ 

  • Loosen the single Phillips screw in the center of the access door.

  • This screw is captive in the access door.

  • Remove the access door from your iMac.

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Add Note Edit Step 2 — Glass Panel  ¶ 

  • The glass panel is fixed onto the front bezel with fourteen magnets around its perimeter.

  • Stick two suction cups to opposing corners of the glass panel.

  • To attach the suction cups we sell, first position the suction cup with the movable handle parallel to the face of the glass panel. While lightly holding the suction cup against the glass, raise the movable handle until it is parallel with the other handle.

  • If your suction cups refuse to stick, try cleaning both the glass panel and the suction cup with a mild solvent such as Windex.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Gently pull the glass panel straight up off the iMac.

  • The glass panel has several positioning pins around its perimeter. To avoid shearing these pins off the glass panel, be sure to only pull straight up during removal.

  • Be meticulous about cleaning the LCD and the inside face of the glass panel before reinstallation, as any fingerprints or dust trapped inside will be annoyingly visible when the display is on.

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Add Note Edit Step 4 — Front Bezel  ¶ 

  • Remove the following 12 screws securing the front bezel to the rear case:

    • Eight 13 mm T8 Torx.

    • Four 25 mm T8 Torx.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • The front bezel is still attached to the iMac by the microphone cable.

  • Gently lift the front bezel from its top edge off the rear case. It helps to use your thumbs to push down very gently on the corners of the display.

  • Once the top edge of the front bezel has cleared the rear case, rotate the front bezel toward the stand and lift it off the rear case.

  • When reinstalling the front bezel, start at the lower edge and make sure it is flush with the rear case before lowering the top edge onto the iMac.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the microphone cable connector, removing tape as necessary.

  • For the front bezel to sit properly, be sure to tuck the microphone cable and connector into the void next to the camera board.

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Add Note Edit Step 7 — iMac Intel 20" EMC 2210 Power Supply Output Voltage Test  ¶ 

  • After removing the front bezel, you need to remove the 8ea 12mm T8 screws around the perimeter of the LCD

  • Rotate the iMac so the TOP EDGE is facing you and GENTLY lift the LCD up about 75mm (3in) and prop up the LCD with something NON CONDUCTIVE.

  • Lifting the LCD in this way exposes the rear of the PSU to allow access to the PSU connector. When the imac is connected to the mains (even if switched OFF) there is MAINS VOLTAGE on this board

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • REMEMBER - there is MAINS voltage on the PSU so use extreme caution

  • Use the chart provided as a reference and test the various voltages with your meter being sure to restrict the probes to the 10 solder joints on the PSU connector shown within the BLUE rectangle. Shorting any part of the PCB will almost certainly cause damage to the imac

  • All voltage measurements are taken with PIN 1 as reference (Marked with the YELLOW square). Pin 1 is marked on the board by a dot and is the right hand pin when viewed as shown in photos

  • STANDBY means system connected to mains outlet but imac turned off - Diagnostic LED 1 will be illuminated on logic board

  • Pin 5 is the PSU enable line - Logic board pulls this line low (0V) to enable PSU (probably via a resistor)

  • Pin 4 voltage varies according to the PSU temperature and is inversely proportional to PSU temperature. Higher Temp = Lower Voltage. My measurement was taken at around **24 Deg Celsius.

  • Reassemble your iMac in reverse order. When lowering the LCD ensure you don't crimp or crush the LCD back-light cables

Required Tools

T8 Torx Security Bit Screwdriver

$6.95 · 50+ In stock

Phillips #1 Screwdriver

$4.95 · 6 In stock

Heavy-duty Suction Cups (Pair)

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Digital Multimeter

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