• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Anti-stat strap killed my Enermax...? Definitely not!

S

Slugbait

Elite Member
For many years, I feared the worst because I wasn't using an anti-stat strap. Except for the one time I was stupid enough to open my case an touch a mobo during an electrical storm, I've never had a problem. I simply touched the PSU before touching anything else, and trust me...I play inside a lot.

So I got a great deal on an anti-stat strap last week, and figured I should use it any time I play inside. My secondary machine is mostly aluminum, so I hooked the roach clip to my trusty Enermax 365. I finished hooking up what I needed, and then plugged in the power cable to the PSU.

Some little b@stard inside the PSU took a picture of me. I could tell, cuz the camera's flash was quite obvious from behind the exhaust fan. Needless to say, the machine won't boot.

So, should I be worried about other components? Or should I be confident that it's just a dead PSU?

Update - 10/21 8:40PM: I couldn't find an 8A 250V fuse at H0me Depot, but then I remembered I had a POS 250W PSU sitting around in some drawer for PII and PIII emergencies. I opened it up, and it had a fuse! Unlike my Enermax, the damn thing was soldered in, tho' (hey, I said it was a POS). Pulled out the iron, and pulled the fuse...it's only a 5A 250V, but I popped it in and did the paperclip thingamajig, and the fan came on! YaY! I just need to get a proper amperage fuse, and I'm pretty sure I'm good to go. The only bummer: the new Cooler Master is already on its way, it shipped yesterday. So I blew $30, but I always have a spare just-in-case scenario (or I could sell it for cost).

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread, I learned a few things. And considering I only posted to grouse about my "dead" PSU, I'm elated that it's actually not dead. Special thanks goes to jr9k...with only 22 posts, he's already looking like valued member on this board.

Update - 10/27 11:30PM: Found an 8A 250V...finally. These things aren't for sale at any 7-11, mind you. Got it at VetCo for just over $2 with tax. The machine booted, everything is wonderful again. Now I have to figure out what to do with this kickass Cooler Master PSU sitting here on my desk...
 
Did you properly ground the anti-static strap? If you did, then there is NO WAY IN HELL it did any damage to anything. Any static charge applied to the strap will instantly be absorbed by ground. It wouldn't even have a 1:340,000,000 powerballs' chance in hell of going anywhere else. This, of course, assumes that you had a PROPER ground.
 
Sorry I know the situation isn't funny, but the way you told the story was hilarious! LOL! Anyways sorry to hear you zapped your 'puter.
 
Originally posted by: Duckzilla
Did you properly ground the anti-static strap? If you did, then there is NO WAY IN HELL it did any damage to anything. Any static charge applied to the strap will instantly be absorbed by ground. It wouldn't even have a 1:340,000,000 powerballs' chance in hell of going anywhere else. This, of course, assumes that you had a PROPER ground.
Click to expand...
Obviously not. Previously, I usually left the power cable plugged in for a proper ground. This time, I didn't...I plugged in the power cable AFTER connecting the roach clip to the PSU. Thus, this must mean I didn't have a proper ground. Or is there some secret to how to ground an ant-stat strap that I don't know about...?
 
Originally posted by: Slugbait
Originally posted by: Duckzilla
Did you properly ground the anti-static strap? If you did, then there is NO WAY IN HELL it did any damage to anything. Any static charge applied to the strap will instantly be absorbed by ground. It wouldn't even have a 1:340,000,000 powerballs' chance in hell of going anywhere else. This, of course, assumes that you had a PROPER ground.
Click to expand...
Obviously not. Previously, I usually left the power cable plugged in for a proper ground. This time, I didn't...I plugged in the power cable AFTER connecting the roach clip to the PSU. Thus, this must mean I didn't have a proper ground. Or is there some secret to how to ground an ant-stat strap that I don't know about...?
Click to expand...


I've never used an anti-static strap or mat, but I understand how they work.

Your anti-static strap needed to be grounded. Any static charge built up on you from walking on a rug in dry air or whatever would have been absorbed by ground long before you touched your computer.

I like to make sure that a computer is grounded through a 3-prong wall outlet or a properly installed adapter (one of those orange-colored jobs*) before I mess it. Then I touch a metal part of the case. Any charge that might have built up on me will go to ground. That's why I like PSU's that have on/off switches built into them - the PSU can be off but the computer will still be grounded. If you aren't sure about ground, touch a big metal appliance or the center screw that hold the face plate on an AC wall outlet before crawling around inside a computer.

*On these adapters you will notice a protruding ring. This ring should be connected to the center screw that holds the faceplate on the wall outlet. Doing this grounds the ground lug on the adapter making it the same as a 3-prong outlet. Keep in mind that if you use a power strip or surge protector, they all have a 3-prong cord. They must be plugged into a 3-prong outlet or a properly installed adapter to function correctly.


 
Great, fine, I destroyed a $65 PSU. I understand that. I'm going back to always using the power cable.

But...are my other components potentially fried as well? Or could the Enermax absorb the charge and protect the rest of the system?
 
Are you sure that you damaged the PSU and not something else? I would think that a PSU would be the least susceptible component in a computer to static charge since they deal in electricity. At the very least, you'd have to touch a power lead, AC in or DC out, not just the case of the PSU. Static tends to dissipate everywhere it can when it has no quick and easy path to ground. Maybe, heaven forbid, your board got zapped. Motherboards are easily damaged by static charges.

Do you know the ATX pin trick to power up your PSU without having it connected to anything? Needless to say I'm drinking and forgot about the little flash from your PSU. I'd say that there is a very good chance that at least your PSU is fried. Try the pin trick and see if the PSU fires up. You'll know it's working (at least partially) when its internal fan is on. As for other damage, only a known working PSU will tell you that.

Other than explaining how to do the pin trick, I can't offer any more advice. Beg, borrow or steal a working PSU and test it on your computer.
 
Originally posted by: Duckzilla
Are you sure that you damaged the PSU and not something else?
Click to expand...
No, that's why I'm here. Thanks for keeping up with my post, btw.
Do you know the ATX pin trick to power up your PSU without having it connected to anything?
Click to expand...
Nope. Never had a need for it...please fill me in, the mobo would be a bit more expensive to replace...it's an Asus P4B533
 
Originally posted by: reverend boltron
Test PSU Here you go. That should do the trick. This is a very handy thing to do because it gives you an awesome powersupply to test your electronics with.

Thriftstore PSU's FTW
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's a variation of the pin trick, but you need a multimeter to be sure.
 
Thanks, tried it, the PSU didn't power up. Dammit, I hope my other components are ok. Gonna order a new PSU, found a good deal on a Cooler Master...I'll post here and in Hot Deals after I order (don't wanna see the inventory go to 0 before I get my own order placed...
 
Picked up a Cooler Master RS-430-PMSR 430W eXtreme Power Supply from SVC for $29.12 shipped. Link. Hopefully this will suffice. Thanks everyone.
 
too bad it was not the static electricity from the use of the anti stat strip.

there is noway that using a anti stat strip can cause your PSU to fail!!

Lets say you did hook it up without grounding it....

Do you realize that the amount of static generated in so minute that nowadays people don`t even use anti stat strips when building there computers.

It was not the anti stats strip trust me it really was something else.....

 
I could be wrong, but I was always taught never to wear an anti-static strap while working on either a PSU or monitor as these have large capacitors inside which retain their charge, even when unpowered and unplugged.

That was a while back though, I could be mistaken.
 
the static build up on your skin can get to the thousands or even 10s of thousands of volts. it is very possible that the static discharge from your body capacitance is what killed your PSU since it was all drained into the power supply when you removed the ground cable to earth ground.

the capacitors in power supplies drain off fairly quickly, and especially quickly when you unplug the power cord from the wall, push the power button on the computer, and let the computer suck it dry. that is a 100% sure way to drain it off as much as you can. the rest will leak off overtime, but it will be very slight and non-lethal.

just FYI, clipping it to the PSU is fine in the future, but make sure the power cord is plugged in. the circular prong on your power cord is earth ground. it connects to a copper pipe which is shoved into the ground somewhere around your house, or it is connected to a water pipe, but either way it serves its purpose. the earth is an almost 'infinite' ground.
 
Somewhere around here I have an old anti-static strap that is itself plugged into a wall outlet, instead of using an alligator clip attached to the PC. Seems like I can't find straps like that, anymore, though.

As far as the clipping type, aren't you supposed to attach it to the case, not the PSU? I would think attaching it to the PSU would be extremely dangerous. Good thing it didn't zot you!
 
Pleeeeeze, don't leave that power cord connected, most systems have a stand by voltage that will fry if you leave the power cord in the system. By all meand, leave it in while you attach the anti-static strap, then remove the cord.
 
Originally posted by: Coherence
Somewhere around here I have an old anti-static strap that is itself plugged into a wall outlet, instead of using an alligator clip attached to the PC. Seems like I can't find straps like that, anymore, though.

As far as the clipping type, aren't you supposed to attach it to the case, not the PSU? I would think attaching it to the PSU would be extremely dangerous. Good thing it didn't zot you!
Click to expand...

its not like its hard to make something like that...

wrap a hanger around your arm and solder it to the earth ground pin of a power cord...it should take less than 5 minutes and cost nothing
 
Originally posted by: redhatlinux
Pleeeeeze, don't leave that power cord connected, most systems have a stand by voltage that will fry if you leave the power cord in the system.
Click to expand...

Isn't that what the OFF switch is for on the back of the PSU?
 
Originally posted by: jr9k
Have you opened your Enermax and checked the fuse?
Click to expand...
There's A FUSE? For pete's sake, I just had my CC charged for a new PSU...

I thought the flash I saw came from a blown capacitor or whatever. I've never opened up a PSU before, might be worth a look.
 
Go ahead, it should be pretty easy to locate.

It is much easier to replace if it is in a socket instead of soldered. The rating should be printed on the fuse, or on the pcb below it.
Dont' try the repaired psu inmediately on your computer, just in case something else is blown. Attach a couple of fans and that old cd-rom reader and check if they spin. You will have to bridge two pins on the 20-pin conector (don't remember which ones, google for them), to make it run alone, but you already knew it.

It is a healthy practise to open your psu from time to time (once it is out of warranty), and clean it. The heatsinks should be full of dust.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top