Blown computer power supply = fire risk?

[Locut0s]

I would guess that yes, but it's probably a very small one.

I've been debating on if I want to build wood computer cases at one point as it's a material that is easy to get and worth with, but the fact that there is the potential of sparks and fire is what is keeping me from doing it. The fact that the PSU is mostly all enclosed reduces the risk of a spark getting out of it and into the computer case (or outside the case) but it's there.

If it's plugged into an AFCI protected circuit chances are even lower as if it's an serries arc it wont trip the breaker due to a short, but it should trip the AFCI. Though I have heard bad experiences with computers and AFCIs, they tend to trip falsely when a UPS is put into the equation.

I think than the chances of even a wooden case catching fire care pretty damn low even in a situation where the PSU blows up. Wood doesn't catch fire like gasoline. It usually takes prolonged exposure to a significant heat source. Anyone who has tried to start a fire without kindling can tell you this. If you built such a case you might want to turn it off while away from your house just to be safe.

 

[lxskllr]

I would guess that yes, but it's probably a very small one.

I've been debating on if I want to build wood computer cases at one point as it's a material that is easy to get and worth with, but the fact that there is the potential of sparks and fire is what is keeping me from doing it. The fact that the PSU is mostly all enclosed reduces the risk of a spark getting out of it and into the computer case (or outside the case) but it's there.

If it's plugged into an AFCI protected circuit chances are even lower as if it's an serries arc it wont trip the breaker due to a short, but it should trip the AFCI. Though I have heard bad experiences with computers and AFCIs, they tend to trip falsely when a UPS is put into the equation.

One of my clan mates builds some nice wooden cases. What I always wanted to do was outfit an antique radio with computer components. Make it look like an old radio as far as anyone knew, lighted dial included, but have a computer inside.

 

[Modular]

A vacationing penguin is driving his car through Arizona when he notices that the oil pressure light is on. He gets out to look and sees oil dripping out of the motor. He drives to the nearest town and stops at the first gas station.
After dropping the car off, the penguin goes for a walk around town. He sees an ice-cream shop and, being a penguin in Arizona, decides that something cold would really hit the spot. He gets a big dish of ice cream and sits down to eat. Having no hands he makes a real mess trying to eat with his flippers. After finishing his ice cream, he goes back to the gas station and asks the mechanic if he's found the problem.

The mechanic looks up and says "It looks like you blew a seal."

"No no," the penguin replies, "it's just ice cream."

oh, hai! I see you got the joke I faxed you! :awe:

 

[Locut0s]

oh, hai! I see you got the joke I faxed you! :awe:

What's a FAX?

 

[OBLAMA2009]

this happened to my laptop last night. if a power supply blows and makes a burning electronics smell do you just have to replace that part or can the blowout also ruin other components in your laptop

 

[bobross419]

this happened to my laptop last night. if a power supply blows and makes a burning electronics smell do you just have to replace that part or can the blowout also ruin other components in your laptop

Probably the latter, unless you lead a blessed life.

 

[Locut0s]

this happened to my laptop last night. if a power supply blows and makes a burning electronics smell do you just have to replace that part or can the blowout also ruin other components in your laptop

Happened to your laptop? I think that's more likely the battery. There isn't a PSU in a laptop at least not a conventional one. The power block you plug into the wall takes care of the conversion. A while back there was an issue with laptop batteries exploding. Perhaps that is what happened. At any rate in the confined space of a laptop it's unlikely that nothing else was harmed.

 

[Muse]

It's gonna make me not stuff a desktop into a tight space with paper or other stuff laying around it, that's for sure.

It's not a bad idea to always have risk of a fire in the back of your mind. It happens to a lot of people and I figure in most cases it's because they weren't really thinking ahead in this way.

 

[Muse]

What's a FAX?

It's what I did a couple of times from this very desktop in the last month. Saved me having to mail a couple of letters, during Xmas season no less.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

Happened to your laptop? I think that's more likely the battery. There isn't a PSU in a laptop at least not a conventional one. The power block you plug into the wall takes care of the conversion. A while back there was an issue with laptop batteries exploding. Perhaps that is what happened. At any rate in the confined space of a laptop it's unlikely that nothing else was harmed.

i removed the battery and plugged it in and the power leds wouldnt even turn on .you dont need a battery for it to turn on do you? does this mean its more serious, like motherboard failure? there is a funny smell coming from the insides,out of the bays and the keyboard

 

[Red Squirrel]

I think than the chances of even a wooden case catching fire care pretty damn low even in a situation where the PSU blows up. Wood doesn't catch fire like gasoline. It usually takes prolonged exposure to a significant heat source. Anyone who has tried to start a fire without kindling can tell you this. If you built such a case you might want to turn it off while away from your house just to be safe.

Yeah I've thought of that too, and yes it's not super easy to start a fire without kindling and even paper, so for it to happen by accident is probably fairly slim. The PSU itself is probably the only thing that could cause a fire in a computer and that's in it's own metal case. Enough sparks would have to fly out the fan grid before it burns out and stops. My guess is in most cases it's one poof of sparks then that's it.

 

[westom]

My surge protector woke my up a month or two ago by catching fire. I woke up to the pop and the smell of burning electronics.

That is what everyone should worry about. Rubycon has provided the many reasons why a power supply failure does not cause house fires.

To get the naive to recommend them, plug-in protectors are often unsized. House fires are more often attributed to plug-in protectors that also do not claim to provide surge protection in its numeric specs.