Never too careful...

[unit 1]

I'm changing power supplies, and I was wondering what precautions I should take regarding the old one, before I store it or throw it away.

I've read somewhere that even when unplugged, a power supply could still electrocute you if you open it. I don't intend to open it, but you never know who might get their hands on it after I store it or throw it away.

For instance, is there a way to make sure the capacitors are empty before I discard the unit?

 

[Meghan54]

Leave the power supply in the computer, unplug it from the wall, then hit the power/start button on your case. The ps will discharge its caps in an attempt to start the computer and then completely discharge itself.

 

[Harvey]

I'm changing power supplies, and I was wondering what precautions I should take regarding the old one, before I store it or throw it away.

Best Buy accepts old electronics to recycle.

I've read somewhere that even when unplugged, a power supply could still electrocute you if you open it. I don't intend to open it, but you never know who might get their hands on it after I store it or throw it away.

A supply that's plugged into the wall can harm you because you could touch 120 volts AC (or 230 volts in Europe). An unplugged computer supply won't electrocute you. The determinant is volts, not amps, and the maximum voltage you'll find in an ATX supply is 24 volts between the +12 volt and - 12 volt rails.

For instance, is there a way to make sure the capacitors are empty before I discard the unit?

If you open it up, you could use a 500 ohm 1/2 watt resistor to discharge each output rail to ground. The maximum power across the resistor would be 12 volts ^2 / 500 = .288 watts maximum dissipated power.

 

[unit 1]

Thanks a lot to both of you for the quick replies!

 

[raasco]

Leave the power supply in the computer, unplug it from the wall, then hit the power/start button on your case. The ps will discharge its caps in an attempt to start the computer and then completely discharge itself.

I fried a motherboard that way. Just saying...

 

[Meghan54]

I fried a motherboard that way. Just saying...

How? Not enough residual power to fry a motherboard with what's just left in the caps once the ps is unplugged.......and in all the years I've been doing that (more than a few dozen or so), I've never fried anything.

So, just curious how it happened?