Big spark just from PSU plug!

[katie279]

Hi all,

Never had this before, so keen to get some advice and suspicion of causes before I start fiddling.

Was just working on my PC when it suddenly cut out on a zoom call - assumed there was a power cut or something, but realised it was just my pc that had cut out.

I could see the RAM was still illuminated etc inside, so obviously some current still coming to the MB, so tried checking all the plugs were connected fully - all looked fine.

Unplugged the PSU three pin plug in the back of the PC and plugged it back in to doublecheck and got a visible large spark at the back of the PC and a loud pop and tripped electricity on this floor of the house.

Scratching my head as to what could actually cause this - strongly suspect I'll need a new PSU (was a be quiet! Pure Power 11 500W 80 Plus Gold Modular Power Supply).

Has anyone else had something like this occur before and any advice!

 

[katie279]

Hi there, yes it was quite a load pop and a large spark - not the usual one you mention.

It was just the breaker for the sockets that went - might have a look later, just don't want to damage any other components!

 

[katie279]

Yeah fine - only built the PC 12 months ago or so, so shouldn't be too much effort to remove. Think I might order replacement PSU anyway and drop that in and can load test the PSU on a test rig for a bit.

I suspect it'll either be totally dead or it'll be an annoyingly intermittent issue as PC was obviously running fine for months before, so might be hard to replicate....

 

[katie279]

Great summary Esat, this makes a lot of sense.

PSU was recommended in this forum 12 months ago, hence I bought - you got any recommendations for a replacement?

These seem to be well rated?
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/seas...-titanium-modular-power-supply-ca-077-ss.html

 

[katie279]

Thanks! Could you ping links? I can't see an overclockers 750W modular one, only a fairly basic looking ocuk one. Might be the new site or me!!!

 

[katie279]

Sorry all, just opened up rather than looking at my overclockers shopping orders and realised I forgot there was another PC I built...

This one has a Phanteks PSU, so build is:

- AMD Ryzen 3600x

- Phanteks AMP 650W 80 Plus Gold Modular Power Supply

- Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER WindForce OC 8192MB

- 32Gb Ram
- Phanteks Eclipse P400S Glass Midi Tower Case - Noise Dampened White

- Gigabyte 1TB M.2 PCIe x4 NVMe SSD/Solid State Drive

- 1gb Samsung ssd

I've tried plugging it back in, but it's tripping the electricity every time I turn the PC power on. This likely to be the PSU or could it be something internal?

Also is the Phanteks PSU worth replacing??

 

[katie279]

Have also just tried with different kettle cords, so same occurring and also just move the base unit to the garage and tried there, same thing (loud bang, spark at the back and electricity tripped)

So definitely something odd with the PSU or something within the PC. Given the spark is coming out the back of the PSU, could this be anything other than the power supply (eg if I was shorting something inside the case, I'd assume it'd not spark at the back of the PSU??)

If so, think I just need to RMA and order a new one...!