I Just Electrocuted Myself

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WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,867
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I was pulling a Panaflo fan out of my PSU so the PSU casing was open. I was on the phone so I wasn't being careful and grabbed my PSU (plugged in, not on) on the bottom with my thumb touching something inside. It shocked me for a few seconds making my arm shake. I was able to let go and I feel fine but damn! That was one crazy experience.

I've worked inside many PSUs but it's the first time I've ever been shocked by anything in a computer. I know about the dangers and am normally a lot more careful. Don't be like me and don't be stupid. It could have been fatal :eek:
 
sciwizam

sciwizam

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2004
1,953
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You never know when you would get a hair-raising experience. :p All is well and you are still alive. :thumbsup:
 
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Philippine Mango

Diamond Member
Oct 29, 2004
5,594
0
0
Here is a tip for all of you guys, on ANY ELECTRICAL DEVICE your working on and you NEED to drain the power quickly, what you should do is:
1. Have the power cord disconnected
2. Press the power button many times or hold it (combination of the two would also be good)
3. make sure you don't have any other souces of power that could be still supplying to it (almost dead lappy battery)
4. Don't be a dumba$$ when working on it (IE Drinking near the PSU for example or working on it during a beer drinking night/frat party).
5. Fix the thingy
6. Enjoy


I've learned that it's a very good idea to press the power button because I one time had the power cord disconnected to a dell system and pushed the power button and noticed it started up for a second.

Doing this will drain the PSU capacitors for the most part (there COULD still be electricity in it still) again this is my experience with things (this agian works on any electronic devices, especially useful for TVS/CRT screens!).
 
D

DCrew1X

Member
Nov 5, 2004
78
0
0
glad to see your ok. always gotta be careful. didn't expect to see this topic in general hardware forums lolz.
 
Texun

Texun

Platinum Member
Oct 21, 2001
2,058
1
81
Anyone ever mess with a fence charger? It's basically a step-up transformer that takes 110VAC and steps it up to around 1700V with very low current. A friend of mine wired his property to keep dogs out but the red light on the charger wasn't coming on, which usually means a short. He checked the fence line several times and proceded to work on the box. He inadvertantly pressed one thumb on the ground and another on the positive. BAM! 1700 volts across the chest.

It was working fine but the red light was burned out. The low current prevented the shock from being fatal but it nailed him like a cheap hooker. He will now quickly tell anyone with great detail why it is unwise to work on anything while it is plugged into the wall. :Q
 
A

AtlantaBob

Golden Member
Jun 16, 2004
1,034
0
0
Originally posted by: Edward Lee
Rule #1. Unplug the computer.
Click to expand...

I've heard that leaving it plugged in will ground the computer?
Yes/No? Not worth the risk of electrocuting yourself?
 
M

Maverick2002

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2000
4,694
0
0
I've electrocuted myself working on a PSU before, but I was dumb about it. I always keep the comp plugged in (though switched off) when working on it to keep it grounded and lower the risk of static discharge somewhere somehow (our entire apartment is carpeted so static builds up easily .. I also take off my socks before working on it).
 
Insidious

Insidious

Diamond Member
Oct 25, 2001
7,649
0
0
ROFL

I TOLD them those stickers were a waste of money. People think "DANGER" means please touch me when I am turned on!

ROFL

-Sid

but seriously, I'm glad it wasn't serious for you, but please remember not to work on energized gear!
 
V

villageidiot111

Platinum Member
Jul 19, 2004
2,168
1
81
I shocked myself plugging in a lamp once. My arm shook for minutes, and it felt crazy weird. The same thing happened a week later, so I threw out the lamp.
 
D

dc5

Senior member
Jul 10, 2004
791
0
0
Originally posted by: villageidiot111
I shocked myself plugging in a lamp once. My arm shook for minutes, and it felt crazy weird. The same thing happened a week later, so I threw out the lamp.
Click to expand...

cursed lamp. you should have given it to me. :)
 
zerocool84

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
ahha i got shocked while we were extending the front of the house and wiring the doorbell and my friend dared me to put my tongue on the wires for the door bell.......o man those were good times
 
S

SirOblivious

Member
Dec 29, 2004
72
0
0
Got my own experience with PSU's and electrocution here. I was about 14 and found an extremely old tape drive and external case w/ PSU. I opened the case and found the powersupply had no casing of its own. Just caps and all out where you can grab em. That should have been my first clue that something wasn't right. I plugged it in, hooked it up to my computer and turned everything on. About 10 seconds into booting (good old win 3.1 lol) I noticed a ploom of smoke flying out from it and thought gee... thats not right. So I knew the tape drive was good before this and didn't want it to fry if it already hadn't. Well, I reached at the back of the drive and started tugging on the power connecter at its back. I pulled it out and BBBLLLLAAAMMM!!!! I don't know what my hand touched on the PSU, but it lit me up like the northern star. I was barefoot at the time and twisted my ankle from jumping up and down uncontrollably. After I sat down and "cooled off" I started thinking, it may have been a better idea to throw the switch at the back of PSU, or pull the cord out of the wall socket, or ANYTHING except stick my hand near an open PSU.

Well I hope you all get a good laugh out of my pain so long ago :). Heh, I still do.
 
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