Power supply PSU causes the breaker to malfunction.
Power supply PSU causes the breaker to malfunction.
Hello everyone. The PC specs are MSI B450i Gaming Plus with an AMD Ryzen 1700X, OC-ed and undervolted to 3.7 GHz. It runs the MSI Armor MK2 RX 580 with 8 GB VRAM, 1.32 V MSI Armor, and a 512 GB NVMe SSD. The case is Seagate FireCuda 2.5, and there are several Noctua fans included. Recently, I noticed the circuit breaker in the transformer tripped unexpectedly. Sometimes this happens when multiple devices like air conditioners and microwaves are used together, causing the breaker to reset. After several hours, the whole apartment lost power. An electrician found the issue was with my computer. Whenever I connect the power cable without turning on the PC, the breaker trips. The PSU has been on and off several times, and I saw a spark near the inductor and capacitors. The PC is protected by a surge protector and a power strip with many outlets. It worked for four and a half years, but now I’m unsure if using a new PSU with unchecked components is safe.
If the issue is similar, not replacing the PSU could be dangerous. I recommend purchasing a new PSU around 750 or 850 watts, and also consider an 80 plus model.
The issue was related to the high voltage section of your power supply, leaving the rest of your PC components unaffected.
Following the spark, I quickly disconnected the power cable, attached an anti-static strap, removed all PSU cables and moved the PSU out of the case. I took extra precautions for component safety and selected a Corsair SF750. I’m hoping it will perform better than Silverstone’s “Titanium” PSU.
Consider replacing the breaker if you're unsure about the setup. The wires were likely installed by someone who used basic methods, twisting the copper and covering them with inexpensive tape. If you're not confident in handling electrical systems, it's safer to consult a professional.
I understand your point. I was surprised to discover that the best and safest method for connecting electric cables is using tinned copper ends with solder and small terminal blocks with levers. It made me think about why this isn’t more common. In my country, certified electricians are rare, and most people either hire the right ones or rely on unlicensed workers. While some companies offer similar services, they’re more costly than hiring a professional or buying the right tools yourself. I tend to prefer the DIY approach because it’s also a chance to learn something new.
It was just a silly joke about myself. I linked a couple of electrical boxes with random stuff, and I’m not really familiar with that field. Still, it seems “electrical tape” is probably meant for wires? Doing it myself would be fine, but I’d need to double-check everything carefully. Even the person who just taped the wires might have had some basic skills.