NEVER open the power supply?... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Luki · 03-28-2004, 08:55 PM

Okay, my friend is teaching me some things abou the computers structure, even built one last time I was there. He told me "never open the power supply."

Well tonight he messages me. says "you remember how I told you never open the power supply?"

"yeah?"

"I just did"

"why?"

"I wanted a fan badly enough.....I risked life and limb for it"

Then I reminded him I had another fan he could've had from an old computer.. and he told me that he felt kinda stupid and then he signed off.. lol

SecretMethod70 · 03-28-2004, 09:10 PM

I wouldn't touch the power supply with a 10 foot metal rod

Seriously though, yeah, that's not a very good idea.

redarrow · 03-28-2004, 09:33 PM

I heard on bit tech that some guy did it because it wouldnt have fitted in his mod. I think it was a model car-computer.

merkerguitars · 03-28-2004, 09:39 PM

Yeah the reason your not supposed to open them is the capacitors in them hold alot of juice in them.....if you discharge them properly (shorting them out) but for what a decent power supply costs it's not worth the trouble of fixing.

ChrisJericho · 03-28-2004, 09:41 PM

I've never had any reason to mess around with my power supply, but why not open it if you want to? (Assuming you unplug it from all your parts and from the power outlet.)

slant eyes · 03-28-2004, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisJericho
I've never had any reason to mess around with my power supply, but why not open it if you want to? (Assuming you unplug it from all your parts and from the power outlet.)

the capacitors hold the charge even after you unplug it from the wall. that would be a reason you don't want to.

but in all seriousness, i've opened many power supplies *knock on wood* and so far have been ok. just be careful with what you do with it open i guess.

nanofever · 03-28-2004, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slant eyes
the capacitors hold the charge even after you unplug it from the wall. that would be a reason you don't want to.

but in all seriousness, i've opened many power supplies *knock on wood* and so far have been ok. just be careful with what you do with it open i guess.

As long as you work with one arm and keep the other behind your back it most likely won't kill you if you touch a capacitor, most likely...

ChrisJericho · 03-28-2004, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slant eyes
the capacitors hold the charge even after you unplug it from the wall. that would be a reason you don't want to.

That is good to know. So are we talking a lethal shock here, or just ruining the power supply?

cartmen34 · 03-29-2004, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisJericho
That is good to know. So are we talking a lethal shock here, or just ruining the power supply?

I've been told by more than one person that the caps hold enough charge to kill a person... but I don't really know if anyone has actually died from a power supply shock.

That'd be an interesting research project...albiet pointless.

saltfish · 03-29-2004, 08:07 AM

Quote:

the capacitors hold the charge even after you unplug it from the wall. that would be a reason you don't want to.

This is partially true, mainly back when powersupplies had heavy transformers and banks of 'caps'. Even so, modern power supply makers have bleed-off resistors that prevent the caps for holding a long-term charge.

I have worked with 1-15 Farad 24Vdc caps wired in a many different configurations. We even used that as a makeshift arc welder.

Your P/S will not kill you, just make sure that it's unplugged from the wall. Leaving it plugged in may kill you.

-SF

God of Thunder · 03-29-2004, 08:21 AM

Met a technician once that had tried to work on a power supply. Touched the wrong thing with his screwdriver and ZZZAPPPPP!!!!!

He showed me the scars where the arc went into and out of his arm. He told me he was taken to the hospital and doesn't remember a thing until he woke up two days later.

Yeah, I'm not gonna open one.

Redjake · 03-29-2004, 09:02 AM

I've been shocked quite a few times from a PSU. It's not that bad. I have a hard time believing the above story about being sent to the hospital because of it. It burns, but that's it. I open PSUs without a second glace now. Just discharge it before you fuck with it. Take a screwdriver (with a plastic or wooden handle) and rape it on the inside. Touch all the metal parts. Make sure the PSU is switched off (on the O position, not I). And unplugged (

). The shock is not nearly as bad as being shocked by a wall socket.

Redjake · 03-29-2004, 09:03 AM

Update: Might could be sent to the hospital if the PSU is PLUGGED INTO THE WALL when you are messing with the insides. But I don't know who in the world would risk that!!

God of Thunder · 03-29-2004, 10:00 AM

This guy didn't look that intelligent, so it may have been plugged in at the time.

Don't know about the hospital stay or not (didn't witness it myself) but the scars looked pretty bad.

laconic1 · 03-29-2004, 12:33 PM

I've opened a power supply before to replace a noisy fan. I have heard that if you unplug it from the wall and then try to power on the computer it will help discharge the capacitors. When I did it you could hear the computer try to start for half a second. I was still careful not to touch anything. I think it is like anything else, it can be dangerous, but if you are careful and treat it with respect you should be ok.

Peryn · 03-29-2004, 12:52 PM

I dont even really think anything of it when i open them. Just be careful what you touch and where your screwdriver is. Taking out a fan? Eh, no biggie, just watch what your doing. You not going to get shocked by taking the case off unless your very uncoordinated. Dont go jabbing at the capacitors, work with one hand if you want a little more insurance, and you should probably be ok.

the_marq · 03-29-2004, 01:48 PM

The same rule about capacitors holding power is true for monitors (and I would assume other household appliances).

It's one of the few things I remember from when I studied for the A+ certification.

saltfish · 03-29-2004, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by the_marq
The same rule about capacitors holding power is true for monitors (and I would assume other household appliances).

It's one of the few things I remember from when I studied for the A+ certification.

Though many modern monitors, in the last 5-10 years have placed high-resistance 'bleed-off' mechanisms on the tubes to prevent a 'capacitive' effect. It is the large CRT's from the 50-60's that still can deadly in the landfills and/or grandma's garage.

-SF

steveincolumbus · 03-29-2004, 09:53 PM

I have no problem opening Power supplies. I'm an EE and have worked on ALOT hotter stuff than that... I thinks its only like 300 volts in a PS anyway, not bad... been hit by a 30kv cap in a 2kw amp b4, now that sucked...
I have repaired several PS's for ppl, easy stuff...
Just bleed it off first........

Dant0007 · 03-29-2004, 10:38 PM

Yeah, EE here too. Just know what you're looking for and discharge them. I'm sure you can find a ground somewhere.

Holo · 03-31-2004, 05:40 AM

so how long does it hold the charge anyway? Is it an average time before it's 100% safe to mess with? I'm not very brave with electricity.

Redjake · 03-31-2004, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Holo
so how long does it hold the charge anyway? Is it an average time before it's 100% safe to mess with? I'm not very brave with electricity.

Just take a screw driver and bang around inside the PSU (make sure the thing is UNPLUGGED from the wall AND the computer) and you'll be fine. Any of the electric build-up (forgive the newb terms) will be discharged. That's what I do, anyway.

The main thing you want to stay away from is the circuit boards (from what I've found out) that are inside the PSU. The heatsinks are fine to touch. But it should ALL be fine to touch if you just touch all the components inside the PSU before starting the work.

Homey_V · 03-31-2004, 01:30 PM

I've gutted Several PSU's. So long as they arent plugged in and you arent licking the PSU itself it should be fine. :P

Seriously, just be careful what you're doing and you should be fine.

03-31-2004, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Homey_V
I've gutted Several PSU's. So long as they arent plugged in and you arent licking the PSU itself it should be fine. :P

You're NOT supposed to lick it??....
damn...

03-28-2004, 08:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Luki Crazy Location: Central Illinois	NEVER open the power supply?... Okay, my friend is teaching me some things abou the computers structure, even built one last time I was there. He told me "never open the power supply." Well tonight he messages me. says "you remember how I told you never open the power supply?" "yeah?" "I just did" "why?" "I wanted a fan badly enough.....I risked life and limb for it" Then I reminded him I had another fan he could've had from an old computer.. and he told me that he felt kinda stupid and then he signed off.. lol __________________ Your part is silent you little toad - a line from the new phantom of the opera

03-28-2004, 09:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	I wouldn't touch the power supply with a 10 foot metal rod Seriously though, yeah, that's not a very good idea. __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

03-28-2004, 09:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Yeah the reason your not supposed to open them is the capacitors in them hold alot of juice in them.....if you discharge them properly (shorting them out) but for what a decent power supply costs it's not worth the trouble of fixing. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

03-28-2004, 09:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
ChrisJericho eat more fruit Location: Seattle	I've never had any reason to mess around with my power supply, but why not open it if you want to? (Assuming you unplug it from all your parts and from the power outlet.) __________________ "A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche

03-29-2004, 08:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
God of Thunder Talk nerdy to me Location: Flint, MI	Met a technician once that had tried to work on a power supply. Touched the wrong thing with his screwdriver and ZZZAPPPPP!!!!! He showed me the scars where the arc went into and out of his arm. He told me he was taken to the hospital and doesn't remember a thing until he woke up two days later. Yeah, I'm not gonna open one. __________________ I reject your reality, and substitute my own -- Adam Savage

03-28-2004, 09:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
redarrow Banned Location: i gotta go	I heard on bit tech that some guy did it because it wouldnt have fitted in his mod. I think it was a model car-computer.

03-29-2004, 09:02 AM	#12 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	I've been shocked quite a few times from a PSU. It's not that bad. I have a hard time believing the above story about being sent to the hospital because of it. It burns, but that's it. I open PSUs without a second glace now. Just discharge it before you fuck with it. Take a screwdriver (with a plastic or wooden handle) and rape it on the inside. Touch all the metal parts. Make sure the PSU is switched off (on the O position, not I). And unplugged (). The shock is not nearly as bad as being shocked by a wall socket. __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

03-29-2004, 09:03 AM	#13 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	Update: Might could be sent to the hospital if the PSU is PLUGGED INTO THE WALL when you are messing with the insides. But I don't know who in the world would risk that!! __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

03-29-2004, 10:00 AM	#14 (permalink)
God of Thunder Talk nerdy to me Location: Flint, MI	This guy didn't look that intelligent, so it may have been plugged in at the time. Don't know about the hospital stay or not (didn't witness it myself) but the scars looked pretty bad. __________________ I reject your reality, and substitute my own -- Adam Savage

03-29-2004, 12:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
laconic1 Junkie	I've opened a power supply before to replace a noisy fan. I have heard that if you unplug it from the wall and then try to power on the computer it will help discharge the capacitors. When I did it you could hear the computer try to start for half a second. I was still careful not to touch anything. I think it is like anything else, it can be dangerous, but if you are careful and treat it with respect you should be ok.

03-29-2004, 12:52 PM	#16 (permalink)
Peryn Junkie Location: San Diego, CA.	I dont even really think anything of it when i open them. Just be careful what you touch and where your screwdriver is. Taking out a fan? Eh, no biggie, just watch what your doing. You not going to get shocked by taking the case off unless your very uncoordinated. Dont go jabbing at the capacitors, work with one hand if you want a little more insurance, and you should probably be ok. __________________ Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.

03-29-2004, 01:48 PM	#17 (permalink)
the_marq All hail the Mountain King Location: Black Mesa	The same rule about capacitors holding power is true for monitors (and I would assume other household appliances). It's one of the few things I remember from when I studied for the A+ certification. __________________ The Truth: Johnny Cash could have kicked Bruce Lee's ass if he wanted to. #3 in a series

03-29-2004, 09:53 PM	#19 (permalink)
steveincolumbus Psycho Location: BFE, Kentucky	I have no problem opening Power supplies. I'm an EE and have worked on ALOT hotter stuff than that... I thinks its only like 300 volts in a PS anyway, not bad... been hit by a 30kv cap in a 2kw amp b4, now that sucked... I have repaired several PS's for ppl, easy stuff... Just bleed it off first........

03-29-2004, 10:38 PM	#20 (permalink)
Dant0007 Upright	Yeah, EE here too. Just know what you're looking for and discharge them. I'm sure you can find a ground somewhere.

03-31-2004, 05:40 AM	#21 (permalink)
Holo A Real American	so how long does it hold the charge anyway? Is it an average time before it's 100% safe to mess with? I'm not very brave with electricity. __________________ I happen to like the words "fuck", "cock", "pussy", "tits", "cunt", "twat", "shit" and even "bitch". As long as I am not using them to describe you, don't go telling me whether or not I can/should use them...that is, if you want me to continue refraining from using them to describe you. ~Prince

03-31-2004, 01:30 PM	#23 (permalink)
Homey_V Psycho Location: Canada	I've gutted Several PSU's. So long as they arent plugged in and you arent licking the PSU itself it should be fine. :P Seriously, just be careful what you're doing and you should be fine. __________________ You did what with a duck?