identify this "coil"??

[epicfabrication]

Recently went thru and ripped random arts ouit of non working pc power supplys, found these "coils", the windings look like they are bare metal, hoping someone could tell me what they do or what they're used for? thanks in advance

[richie00boy]

They are switch mode power supply bits, an output inductor on the left and the actual transformer on the right. Both are ferrite cored. The wire is enamel coated.

[guitar_joe]

the one on the right looks more like a coupled inductor.

they're both highly likely to have powdered iron cores.

[Bootstrapper]

I would also say that the inductor on the right side is a coupled output inductor common in ATX power supplies. Try googling "ATX power supply schematics" and you'll see an example picture.

I have salvaged several of these myself, but usually these are difficult to reuse as they are. Most often I removed the initial windings and then wound a new coil using the obtained core.

Don't throw them away light-hearted, they can prove to be most valuable some day

[epicfabrication]

what would happen if I were to wind my own insulated windings around it? im currently looking into different electric currents for hydrogen generation thru electrolysis and dont have any clue into different electrical configurations with different circuits or what not. Is there anyway of taking some of these electrical components out of an atx power supply and making a "pulse width modulator"? Or some kind of circuit to cause the electricity to pulse?

[Bootstrapper]

Considering your lack of knowledge I would suggest googling for complete instructions for the device you are looking for. Are you in need of adjustable current source? Or adjustable voltage source?

Define the specifications as accurately as possible before doing anything else. In case you are experimenting with electrolysis, you might need an adjustable current which you will drive through the liquid (water). There are different ways to achieve this current source, and choosing the suitable topology depens greatly on the range of needed current.

Alternatively, you might want to ask from someone who's familiar with electrical circuits AND their practical use.

To your questions: It is indeed possible to build a pulse width modulated voltage source out of the components found in typical ATX PSU, but it might be difficult. Depends on the type of PSU and on the builders experience. If you simply wind several turns of insulated wire around the core, you'll get a coil.