Solved What blew up in my PSU?

[Colonel Travis]

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]

Be careful while playing with PSU's.

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

 

[braddersz]

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

 

[MrShowdown]

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

 

[TVeblen]

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]

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]

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

 

[Colonel Travis]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Britton30]

Unless the PSU switch is turned off or the mains pulled, it remains powered up, the low voltage has been cut off to the motherboard though.

Col. Travis I don't put any faith in surge protectors such as that. I would recommend a good Uninterpretable Power Supply, UPS, instead. They supply clean and steady power plus having a good surge control circuit. Most will have software which will monitor your input power too.

 

[Colonel Travis]

Great advice everyone, thanks. Got a good Corsair PSU, no components were fried. Have absolutely no desire to make a PSU or fix one. Just curious to know how stuff works.

 

[Britton30]

You're welcome. If you have a PSU problem again, do not open it. Depending on the caps quality and specs some may hold a lethal charge for days.
Try these steps to see if it will "turn on".
PSU-How to Test

 

[Comp Cmndo]

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.

Power Surge Protector would not cause chip to explode. Surge Protectors are passive devices.

The chip that blew is made by Power Integrations in Korea. Its a TNYxxx (can't read the xxx).
Maybe this: TNY 279 Chip gets hot | Power Integrations

Stay away from anything OCZ makes. They make warranty claims so difficult, you will give up.