The power management unit controls the power functions of Apple computers, acting as a powerful microchip that coordinates essential activities. It monitors power connections, battery status, and system components, and can malfunction due to power surges. Malfunction signs include the inability to initiate a battery charging session or recognize devices.
The power management unit, or PMU, is a type of microcontroller associated with the configuration of computers manufactured by Apple. In essence, the power management unit controls the power functions of the computer. Currently, all Apple computers use a power management unit.
It’s helpful to think of the power management unit as a very powerful microchip. Within the scope of the function of an Apple computer, this microchip covers the functions supported by other types of components in other brands of computers. Some examples include software, firmware and memory capacity. Along with these three key components, a power management unit also provides analog-to-digital conversion functions and even includes a CPU.
This broad range of support allows the power management unit to coordinate a number of essential activities that keep the computer running. For example, the PMU will constantly monitor the status of all currently engaged power connections. At the same time, the unit will monitor the battery status and start charging automatically if necessary. The health of various system components is evaluated on a recurring basis, allowing the power management unit to shut down any component that has been idle for a significant period of time.
The power management unit is quite sensitive to power surges. For example, if the battery is in use and can become discharged, this could affect the operation of the unit. Likewise, plugging a power cord into an outlet and then plugging the cord into the computer can cause the drive to malfunction. For this reason, users should read the operation manual carefully and avoid actions that could adversely affect the performance of the unit.
As with any type of computer component, it is possible for a power management unit to fail. Some common signs that the drive is malfunctioning include the inability to initiate a battery charging session or the inability to recognize devices plugged into a USB port, such as a jump drive or printer. In some cases, simply resetting the power management unit will resolve the issues. However, if the reset doesn’t work, there’s a good chance the drive needs to be replaced.
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