Any safe method to open up a PSU and clean it?

[Joony]

Yeah, my old AT PSU has alot of dust! Should I somehow discharge the capaciators or something? Or should I just leave it unplugged for a week or so?

 

[Ionizer86]

Unplug it, leave it there for a long time, and wear gloves when you're at it.

Alternatively, get some Free AR canned air

 

[JonTheBaller]

Is it really worth the risk?

 

[Peter D]

I dunno if it discharges the capacitors at all, but Ive heard that if you turn off the computer and powerbar (if you have one) and then try to turn the comp on again it discharges any power left in the system. Other than that bit of 'advice' just leave it off and unplugged for a good long time, gloves, and a compressed air can

 

[RickH]

Just blow it out with a can of compressed air. The biggest danger in opening a power supply is that you might cut yourself on the case. There are no dangerous voltages. R

 

[Joony]

cut myself? hmm, I should just wear gloves then? Compressed air is quite a hassle! Its easier with the PSU open to blow air on all the components of the PSU.

 

[AIWGuru]

Originally posted by: RickH
Just blow it out with a can of compressed air. The biggest danger in opening a power supply is that you might cut yourself on the case. There are no dangerous voltages. R

WRong. Bad advice. you can easily kill yourself working inside a power supply. My man Dan from dansdata will back me up on that one.

 

[0roo0roo]

use one hand if you must.

since u had to ask.. well best not to.

using a can of air and vacumn cleaner

 

[selene]

i usually put a vaccum in the exhaust of the ps and blow air from the front and it'll suck all the dust and not make a mess..

 

[RickH]

AIWGuru---so have you ever done this yourself or is this another case of "I knew a guy once who_______" You fill in the blank. The Forms are full of helpful information given by people who have no personal knowledge of what they are taking about. I have been working in electronics since the 1960s and I haven't killed myself yet. R

 

[AIWGuru]

Originally posted by: RickH
AIWGuru---so have you ever done this yourself or is this another case of "I knew a guy once who_______" You fill in the blank. The Forms are full of helpful information given by people who have no personal knowledge of what they are taking about. I have been working in electronics since the 1960s and I haven't killed myself yet. R

Well then, if you have worked with large capacitors and not killed yourself it must be completely impossible to kill yourself while doing it!

What a tool!

 

[spclwpns]

"and wear gloves when you're at it."

Little too much there unless there is some sort of bacteria or 'dust mites' we don't know of. Is it radioactive maybe LOL

If ya gotta wear gloves, stay out, you don't belong in there. Just blow it out and be done with it

 

[beatle]

There's a difference between being careful and being paranoid that the capacitors are out to get you. Open it up, don't poke at anything, and fire your compressed air! Heck, I've changed fans on multiple PSUs and that involved... cutting wires! No worries if you use common sense. Just be aware that there are capacitors inside with high voltage stored in them.

 

[ai42]

Ok I think you guys are a bit too parinoid yes there are dangrous and hazardous voltages inside a PSU. However, they are not strong enough to arc especially if it is unpowered.

Pul the power then basically pop open the case, usually they come off with a few screws and breaking the warranty sticker. Then simply just dust it off with some canned air. Don't do anything stupid like touch stuff inside there. Then you should be okay. I've played with working power supplies and shocked myself a few times it hurts but it won't kill you.

 

[AIWGuru]

Originally posted by: ai42
Ok I think you guys are a bit too parinoid yes there are dangrous and hazardous voltages inside a PSU. However, they are not strong enough to arc especially if it is unpowered.

Who said anything about arching? I'm just worried about some newb asking online how to clean out a PSU opening it up and start dusting it with a moist cloth...

 

[brentkiosk]

Hey people - yes there is reason to be careful. But, capacitors don't stay charged forever, especially if it's a little humid. If it's been unplugged for a day there is very unlikely to be much charge anywhere. HOWEVER, still be careful.

I like selene's vacuum cleaner method best, though.

 

[Ionizer86]

Be very careful. WHen I was replacing a fan once, I shocked myself twice! Lemme tell you that the shock is pretty strong! Feels like a 220V outlet, not the standard US 110 type.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I worked in a few PSUs (cleaning, replacing fans, rerouting wires) without taking any precautions and I'm alive!

I've never been shocked or anything, but common sense tells you to unplug it first and avoid touching things inside.

 

[Joony]

Hmm, it there a way to completely avoid the shock by letting it discharge for a very long time? I mean power can't remain in the capaciators that long...or can it? is there a way to measure it with like a multimeter or something?