What is a good way to discharge a PSU?

[imported_Phil]

I know that you have to discharge CRTs and PSUs before working on them, but what's the correct way to do a PSU? We often have calls at work to replace PSU fans or suchlike, and I really don't want to be blowing myself up!


Added a poll for fun. And because I can. And it'll get edited & be amusing.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

lick it

 

[imported_Phil]

Good to see that AT'ers think that licking a PSU is three times more likely to be the correct method, over fiddling with the switch!

 

[Viper96720]

Actually resistor across the caps is better. Screwdriver would work but may cause damage. Since their the ones holding the charge that gets you zapped if not careful.
Safe discharging

 

[imported_Phil]

Arf, screwdrivers to the caps was supposed to be one of the joke answers, almost sure to cause Instant Messy Death (TM)...

 

[Viper96720]

OK I went with screwdriver I like seeing sparks fly. Actually none of them are really correct. Waiting may not help since they can hold charge for awhile.

 

[Matt155]

Turn the computer on with it unplugged?

 

[txxxx]

Nothing to be scared of, just go in there with the PSU plugged in but power turned off so you get an earthing for the PSU. Ive done it myself changing a fan to a Panaflo L1A and used some heat wraps (courtesy of my dad) to protect the soldered wire.

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: Matt155
Turn the computer on with it unplugged?

yup that's what i was thinking,when you do that it usualy comes on for 1/2 a sec. after that it's discharged.

 

[imported_Phil]

So, theoretically, if you just go into the BIOS, say, and flip the power off at the wall, then the PSU has delivered all the voltage it can, and is therefore discharged?

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

the best way to discharge a capacitor is in fact to short it out by crossing its leads(this will instantly discharge whatever its holding), however when its on a PCB board, AND there are many of them, its stupid.

why do you want to discharge a PS anyhow? unplug it and turn the computer on, usually the fans will twitch a bit while the PS discharged.

 

[Special1Sauce]

If the Power cable isnt inserted and you power it up you'll likely just hear your HDDS fans spin for about half a turn then its all ejected

 

[imported_Phil]

Thanks all. I'll give it a go sometime at work, but if I don't post for a few weeks, you'll know why.

 

[Gagabiji]

Originally posted by: DopeFiend
Thanks all. I'll give it a go sometime at work, but if I don't post for a few weeks, you'll know why.

I voted lick it.

 

[imported_Phil]

... and lick it I shall