EVGA 1600 T2 blew up...

[Charlie22911]

So last night I heard a very loud bang behind me where my unRAID box is, loud enough that my ears were ringing for a bit (seriously). I immediately noticed the server was off and ran over to pull the cord just as it attempted to power cycle.
I tore everything down looking for any marks from flashover or burned components before determining it was the power supply; there was a distinct smell similar to fireworks (ironic).
I have a EVGA 1000 T2 that uses the same modular cables that I swapped over, and as luck would have it everything is fine.

Called EVGA 24hr support and immediately had an RMA approved, this is by far the best service I've had when dealing with a PC\tech related company so far.
Just thought I'd share, I've never had a power supply fail like this.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I have a EVGA 1000 T2 that uses the same modular cables that I swapped over

Uh-oh. Do you have that "in writing" from the PSU vendor, that they are compatible? Sometimes, PSU venders, use different OEMs for different model PSUs in a lineup, and although they may make the cables LOOK the same, they may not BE the same.

Did you just switch the cabling over recently, or has it been running trouble-free with the same transplanted cables for a few months or more?

 

[XavierMace]

Uh-oh. Do you have that "in writing" from the PSU vendor, that they are compatible? Sometimes, PSU venders, use different OEMs for different model PSUs in a lineup, and although they may make the cables LOOK the same, they may not BE the same.

Did you just switch the cabling over recently, or has it been running trouble-free with the same transplanted cables for a few months or more?

If the cables were wired wrong, you'd know immediately.

 

[Charlie22911]

Both power supplies are EVGA and use the same cables, I'm aware of the vendor differences from purchasing CableMod replacement cables for my main PC (EVGA 1200 P2). The unRAID box is actually up and running right now with the swapped in PSU, and currently syncing with a second unRAID build I just finished for offsite backups.

 

[Fir]

I have a few of these, this is kind of disturbing to read!
All my other rigs using higher power components are getting the new Corsair 1600s.
Can't believe how small they are and can put out some clean power too!

 

[UsandThem]

Unfortunately this can happen to any unit, regardless of build quality.

But the fact that it did not take anything out, is a good sign for its built-in protections.

Just out of curiosity from something I discussed in another thread, did you have the "ECO mode" feature on, aka the fan stopped when not under a high load?

 

[Charlie22911]

Unfortunately this can happen to any unit, regardless of build quality.

But the fact that it did not take anything out, is a good sign for its built-in protections.

Just out of curiosity from something I discussed in another thread, did you have the "ECO mode" feature on, aka the fan stopped when not under a high load?

I agree, it is impossible to design a product with 0% failure rate; if anything this experience has strengthened my preferences. Failures happen, and a good design will insure that those failures do not induce secondary failures IMO.

Yes, the ECO Mode was on. I’m not informed enough on its effect to definitively say whether that was a factor, but my intuition says that heat buildup should be minimal considering normal load (~300w) and the fact the case is configured for positive airflow.

The replacement arrives today, I’ll be swapping it in after work.

 

[UsandThem]

I agree, it is impossible to design a product with 0% failure rate; if anything this experience has strengthened my preferences. Failures happen, and a good design will insure that those failures do not induce secondary failures IMO.

Yes, the ECO Mode was on. I’m not informed enough on its effect to definitively say whether that was a factor, but my intuition says that heat buildup should be minimal considering normal load (~300w) and the fact the case is configured for positive airflow.

The replacement arrives today, I’ll be swapping it in after work.

Thanks for responding back.

In another PSU thread, I was discussing how it will be interesting over the next 5-10 years to see if this "fan stop" mode that pretty much all mid to high-end PSUs now have, has an impact on reducing the life of PSUs. Outside of dirty power, heat is the next biggest killer of electronics.

One last question if you don't mind, do you have your PSU fan facing down at the bottom of the case, or is it up (taking air from inside your case)?

 

[Charlie22911]

Thanks for responding back.

In another PSU thread, I was discussing how it will be interesting over the next 5-10 years to see if this "fan stop" mode that pretty much all mid to high-end PSUs now have, has an impact on reducing the life of PSUs. Outside of dirty power, heat is the next biggest killer of electronics.

One last question if you don't mind, do you have your PSU fan facing down at the bottom of the case, or is it up (taking air from inside your case)?

That is an interesting question. I don't know what the normal warranty period is on PSUs, but the ones I have are warrantied to 10 years. I'd expect degradation in life for the electrolytic capacitors with increased heat, but other components shouldn't suffer as much.
In my experience with the EVGA PSUs, in ECO Mode the fans stop when idle and adjust with temperature and load; they don’t let the temperature get very high before they start to ramp up.

As for mounting, I mount my PSUs with their fans drawing air from inside the chassis.

 

[Organik]

What a story, man thanks goodness a fire didn't start man or your components didnt fry up. Its ok, you lose nothing, it happened ; why it happened we don't know but ya no fire and no blown components. good luck with the PSU situation.

 

[Batboy88]

Interesting...Yeah had Fireworks once on a Unit tried modding and stupididly overfiltering...Yeah it blew apart a Thermistor and a Diode Lol