What blew up in my PSU?

Colonel Travis · 30 Jan 2013

Shut down my computer, when I turned it back on I heard a crack sound and nothing happened. I figured it was a blown capacitor in the PSU, didn't find anything on the motherboard. When I took apart the PSU this is what I found - not a blown capacitor (I don't think) but a blown chip?

Last photo is the part that was blown off, it appears. I must say, the magnifying glass app for my phone is pretty neat-o. Really hard to find what happened initially, I didn't see any capacitor leaks or any other problems except this.

My PSU is a OCZ ModXStream 700W. Read some people who've said to stay away from this one (of course, way after I bought it.)

MrShowdown · 30 Jan 2013

Be careful while playing with PSU's.

Try checking your electric source for instability, sags, spikes, overvoltage, and short circuit.

braddersz · 30 Jan 2013

Possible power spike, Power surge, Static energy build up, I wouldn't look at repairing a PSU, Id just get a replacement.

MrShowdown · 30 Jan 2013

Its best to not repair a PSU. Just buy a new one, or do a warranty claim (if still in warranty).

TVeblen · 30 Jan 2013

Overvoltage. Some bad things can happen when electronics get hit with more voltage than designed for.

[HD] Electrical Overload! Exploding electronics with high voltage. - YouTube

Please kids, don't try this at home. The dude in the video is certifiable!

Lady Fitzgerald · 30 Jan 2013

For the benefit of those who may read this thread and decide to open their PSU, DON'T! There can be potentially fatal voltages inside lingering long after the power has been shut off. 99 44/100% of the time, there is nothing user serviceable inside anyway.

patio · 30 Jan 2013

Teen electrocuted while working on unplugged computer | Technically Incorrect - CNET News

Colonel Travis · 30 Jan 2013

Thanks for the warnings, I waited a while before opening it, had no intention of repairing it because I don't even know what happened. Going to get a new PSU tonight.

About a month ago I bought this new power surge protector (suppressor). Is it possible this was the culprit?

No clue how to pinpoint what the problem was. From what I've read about the PSU, I'm going with that being the source. But I don't know if something else caused it to blow and that's what bugs me. Also, I'd like to know what actually blew inside just for my own knowledge.

TVeblen · 30 Jan 2013

I can't help you with what it is that blew, personally I don't think that matters. There was most likely a voltage spike and that component just happened to be first in the path.

What I can suggest is that you use (or get) a decent multimeter and test the voltages in the feed to the system. Test the wall socket you plug your surge protector into and record the ranges (ie: 113.8 - 116.3). The test the outlet in the surge protector (or all of them) and compare that to the wall readings. You want to be sure you have got reasonably clean and steady AC power going into the PC power supply.

If that's all good then you really don't need to know any more than that it was a faulty supply. The why will not help you unless you plan on building one from scratch.

Wrenches · 30 Jan 2013

How long did you wait after shutting it off before you turned it back on? As with any electronic devices if you didn't wait for the caps to drain down before turning it back on there will be a surge. Caps takes up the surges so if they're still full when the power is applied the surges will get through.