Very Simple Question:

[JPS]

Can you damage your rig by plugging in (or unplugging) a power connector to/from a PSU header while the system is powered on? How about into/from a power header from the motherboard while the system is powered on?

I am asking because a friend of mine does it regularly to test fans, drives, etc. At first, I thought 'NO WAY...BAD IDEA!" but he has had no problems. Then I stumbled across different posts that seem to indicate it is a big no-no.

What damage would occur (if any)?

 

[Shooters]

It's not a good idea. I've heard many stories of people who have fried hard drives, motherboards, power supplies, and even entire systems by doing this. The basic rule is to turn off your PS and unplug it whenever connecting any sort of power connector in your PC. Your friend should consider himself lucky.

 

[sohcrates]

well, i ALWAYS tell people it's a bad idea...but some of my lamer friends unplug fans all the time and it doesn't hurt them. i guess some sort of voltage surge would be the worst that could happen

my suggestion would be that if you care at all you should shut down before unplugging, but that damage probably won't happen if you DO get anxious

 

[NJArtist]

Don't do it man! I fried an ASUS P3BF Mobo like that!

 

[BatmanNate]

Yeah, a buddy of mine killed a HD like that. In general, it's a bad idea to go about doing that type of thing, although your PSU quality probably plays a large part in whether or not you hardware gets the chair.

 

[JPS]

Thanks guys. No more plug/unplug while the system is 'hot'.

 

[LuciferHaze]

I do it all the time. Just make sure your grounded when doing so.