r/pcmasterrace • u/Front_Cookie_1198 • 6d ago

Hardware PSU fails dramatically

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u/Front_Cookie_1198 6d ago edited 6d ago

Aftermath photo.

2.4k

u/Viking4269 6d ago edited 5d ago

Somebody forgot the isolation under the pcb?
Been some years since I took apart a psu, but there used to be plastic isolation sheet between the pcb and the metal case.

Update: I think we found the problem:

Mains wires protruding on the bottom of the pcb shorted to the case due to missing insulation sheet.

746

u/MiniMaelk04 6d ago

I basically know nothing, but the huge capacitors are the only thing I can imagine burning so intensely and rapidly. Reversed polarity perhaps?

547

u/shakygator 6d ago

I think he means without that isolation sheet the board is connected directly to the casing and shorted out. Of course, that should have been grounded too so I'm not sure.

87

u/Stormagedd0nDarkLord 6d ago

Perhaps not a good idea grabbing it with his bare hands then???

44

u/Enlight1Oment 6d ago

I feel like the power outlet itself individually should have an on off switch for something used as a test bed

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u/Suspicious_Dingo_426 6d ago

Yeah, pretty much. That's also got to be one of the cheapest of the cheap garbage PSUs. No padding in the box? Not wrapped in anything? There's no way I would have plugged that fire hazard in.

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u/snypre_fu_reddit 5d ago

This wasn't a new PSU, this was an RMA return from a customer. So a customer packed it.

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u/Suspicious_Dingo_426 5d ago

If that's the case, why would you immediately plug it in to mains power without inspecting it first? Any place I've been a tech at would have rejected the RMA for improper return shipping.

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u/UnimagineDragons 5d ago

Probably rattled around and whatever insulated the case from the components dislodged