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My power supply burned out.

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skrizix Posted messages 77 Status Member -  
AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   -
Good evening,

As the title indicates, my power supply caught fire. I was comfortably sitting on my bed while the PC was running right next to me when suddenly a burnt smell filled my nostrils and flames began to surge from the power supply.

Fortunately, I managed to put it out in time before it damaged another component of the PC.

I already have an idea of the cause of the problem, but I would like to be certain without coming off as foolish.

My computer is plugged into a power strip, which in turn is connected to an extension cord. Could this have caused the fire?

I am not convinced, but I have doubts. Strangely, I have been using this setup for months and have never had a problem, hence my uncertainties.

Could someone please clarify this for me?

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

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3 answers

  1.
    AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   167
     
    Hello

    Do you have the brand and model of the power supply in question?

    In general, it doesn't burn out because of an electrical extension but due to a faulty component. Either it failed spontaneously or a surge helped it along.

    In any case, it's lucky you were there when it burned; it could have ended badly.
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    1. skrizix Posted messages 77 Status Member 2
       
      So the brand is Antec, a 750 watt
      The model: HCG -750
      Yes, indeed, I was very lucky, this story could have turned into a tragedy.
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    2. AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   167 > skrizix Posted messages 77 Status Member
       
      Antec power supplies are indeed reputed.
      Personally, I avoid them because I've never had luck with them.

      Did you hear a noise before it smelled burnt (crackling, popping, etc.)? It could be a capacitor that has gone bad.
      If you can open the power supply case and post pictures, it would tell us more.
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    3. skrizix Posted messages 77 Status Member 2 > AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       
      Honestly, I don't remember anymore, maybe a crackling sound, I can't certifiy it. It's vague, I just remember the smell of something burning and then the flames that appeared. Alright, I'll open it and send it to you.
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    4. skrizix Posted messages 77 Status Member 2 > AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       


      I'm sorry, it's in a deplorable state, a lot of dust... But I don't see the source of the burned component in the power supply... I intervened very quickly, that might be why it didn't have time to damage the power supply enough to be visible, no idea.
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    5. AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   167 > skrizix Posted messages 77 Status Member
       
      It flared up next to the resistor block, where there is a label marked "E209" on it.
      It's hard to tell if it's coming from the resistor or below.
      The ground cable even got hot.
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  2. jag72 Posted messages 14864 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   2 790
     
    Hello,

    In general, excessive demand on a socket causes it to catch fire when multiple consumers are plugged in.

    Has your computer not been a victim of overheating while placed on your bed?

    --
    This is a public community. To protect your privacy, do not post any personal information, such as your email address, phone number, credit card number....
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    1. skrizix Posted messages 77 Status Member 2
       
      I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that.
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      1. jag72 Posted messages 14864 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   2 790 > skrizix Posted messages 77 Status Member
         
        So maybe a power surge because of the extension cords.
        I know that if I plug in a laptop before connecting it to the outlet, it flashes quite a bit, so now I connect to the outlet first and then plug it into the PC.
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      2. skrizix Posted messages 77 Status Member 2 > jag72 Posted messages 14864 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        Yes, exactly, speaking of that, before reconnecting my extension to my power strip today, it sparked a bit, but I didn't pay much attention to it. The computer was running normally, there was no problem, it suddenly burned out after being on for about an hour without being used.
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  3. skrizix Posted messages 77 Status Member 2
     
    Maybe the dust then? Since the tower is open all the time, could it cause this problem? But strangely, even after turning off the fire, the power supply didn't seem hot...
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