Black marker or spot on PSU capacitors.
Black marker or spot on PSU capacitors.
these black marker spots on your PSU capacitors could be either signs of damaged components or simply markings left during inspection. many of them appear on almost all capacitors, and even non-capacitor parts may show similar marks.
No, these aren't indications of harm. They seem to have been indicated by the maker for a purpose not disclosed to the general public.
Thank you for your prompt response. A few days ago I experienced an unusual odor that lasted around 10 to 15 seconds. It resembled the scent when a candle wick dries out, which made me investigate further. If a capacitor failed or there was a smell coming from the PC, would it be consistent or just a one-time occurrence? Also, I live in an apartment, so it's possible the smell originated from a neighbor and I use incense sticks myself. These could have been the cause.
Electronic parts that have been burned do not emit the scent of a candle wick.
On the secondary side of an ATX PSU, a "cross" shaped indentation or crease is often present. This weak point allows overpressure gas to escape from a failing capacitor rather than causing a more severe explosion. If your PSU is very old, you might have noticed a smell of gas escaping from a dead capacitor. After the capacitor bursts, any remaining gas emissions are likely to be much less noticeable. It's possible, though unlikely, that the issue could be related to your joss sticks or even a neighbor's cat.