WHat would happen if the PSU shorts to the case?

R.C.Anderson · 13 Dec 2012 at 22:36

As the title really...

I assume it would trip the circuit breaker, as the case is earthed? Is there any way it could just cause the output of the PSU to be affected (without the circuit breaker being affected)?

Reason I ask, I was having issues with my PC crashing, and using a spare PSU seemed to sort it out. But whilst re-installing my original PSU, I noticed one of the power cables is damaged (looks like it got trapped between the case door & the case) and there is a very small amount of wire showing (on the 12V rail).

I have now replaced that with a spare (as it was a modular cable) to be safe, but I was wondering if this could have been the cause of my crashes?

setter · 13 Dec 2012 at 22:39

Could well have been, as you can get shorts when the motherboard touches the case, as power is being transmitted through the board, (as per the cable) this does sound plausible. Luckily it was a cable you were able to replace easily.

RJC · 13 Dec 2012 at 22:41

It could have coursed the crashes, as it may of been tracking down to earth, but in saying that the PSU should detect a possible short and shut down.

R.C.Anderson · 13 Dec 2012 at 23:01

RJC said:
It could have coursed the crashes, as it may of been tracking down to earth, but in saying that the PSU should detect a possible short and shut down.

That could have been why it was crashing though, no?

I just wasn't sure what would go first, the circuit breaker, or the PSU short protection...

RJC · 13 Dec 2012 at 23:10

Ideally the PSU short circuit protection should go first before the circuit breaker for the ring main goes.

What was the make / model of the PSU.