PC Case Electric Shock Issue Solved

Question

Hello,
I’m reaching out to you because I recently bought a new power supply, motherboard, and processor due to a burn-out... I assembled everything by hand using tutorials.
My problem is that after putting everything together, I receive small electric shocks on all the metal parts (screws, back of the power supply...)
I should note that I’ve tried changing outlets and I’m currently on a UPS, and I’m at 220 volts.
I’ve also tried unplugging each component from the motherboard one by one, and the problem persists.
It’s worth mentioning that the PC powers on fine, but the electric shocks worry me, and I’d rather not risk damaging a component. Does this damage the PC?
I also noticed that there were 4 separate pins for the CPU power supply (on the motherboard), and I don't know what they correspond to...
(attachment)

motherboard: MSI Z 590
processor: i7 1700k
power supply: Corsair 750 gold

What are the solutions to remedy my problem?

Thank you, Noé

txiki · Accepted Answer

Hi Noe934,
I'm a bit worried about the position of the power supply unit. In the second photo, it's at the bottom, near the feet of the tower. Also, your power cable is bent. Why is it bent? In your case, it should be straight.
In the first photo, the power supply unit should be at the bottom right, but instead it's next to, above, the motherboard. It's not in its place. It's going to overheat the motherboard!
None of this explains the "shocks"!
The third photo is useless; we can't see anything. Also, all your photos are very heavy, they take a long time to download for enlargement! Try to lighten them (and delete the third one as you might still have time to modify via the

●●●

.
Regards!

txiki · Answer

Hi Noe934, "What do you mean by poorly positioned? ": Well, from the photo, it would fit better on the right, at least from what I see. The motherboard does go from the fan, to the right, towards the power supply unit, grey on the left? Once the tower is upright, the power supply is at the bottom, right? "And my power cable is incorrect because of its shape?": That's not it, a bent cable, in your case, should have been bent horizontally, not vertically. In the second photo, it's very clear that the bend points downwards. That's not normal. If it is like that, it means that the power plug of your power supply is not oriented normally. A power connector in a normal power supply unit should be horizontal (photo on the right).   This might be the source of your shocks... Check if it’s possible to rotate your power supply unit a quarter turn. If the screws match, it means your power supply is improperly installed, rather poorly oriented. If I go by your power cable, a 1/4 turn to the left on the photo.  Regards! -- Happiness is the only thing that can be given without having it.

Noe934 · Answer

Hi txiki
Indeed, my power supply was in the wrong direction, so I turned it the right way.
The power cable is normally in the right direction (it points upward)
(attachment)

I would have never found the problem on my own. Thank you

But I'm still having slight shocks when touching any metallic surfaces...

Note that I just tried unplugging all the components from the power supply, and the problem persists, with shocks at the back of the power supply.
So the problem doesn't come from a short circuit or bare cables?

Do you have any other possible explanations?

Thank you, Noé

macbernic · Answer

Hello,  When installing your motherboard on the metal plate of the case, did you put the small insulating washers on the standoffs?    See you later!

Noe934 · Answer

Is it possible that this is a manufacturing defect of the power supply unit?  Thank you

txiki · Answer

"The power cable is usually in the right direction (it points upwards)": Not anymore! Here you made a half-turn and not a quarter turn but let's move on...

but we might be dealing with a "weird" power supply, I've never seen a power connector in a vertical position! (right image)

On the left you have the "normal" position of a power connector (pin alone at the top or bottom by the way).
Furthermore, you need to consider the fan (if there is a fan) and its direction: intake (fresh air intake) or exhaust (hot air extraction).

"electric shocks at the back of the power supply unit": on the power supply unit? I think it's more of "static electricity" or especially poor insulation of your power supply unit. This doesn't smell good! It's the perfect example of poor insulation, but where?

"I disassembled the motherboard to check that there are no insulating washers at the spacers": Perfect! you definitely don't need any! The ground return of the motherboard is done through these spacers (the motherboard is designed this way).

This is how I used to build PCs, but you have to read the documentation of it, to know whether you need them or not.
Normally on the holes of the motherboard, on the opposite side of the components, you should see tin in the shape of a star (like for loading a Youtube video). If so, it means you do NOT need an insulating washer.
Here’s what I have for now.
--
Happiness is the only thing you can give without having it."

obi · Answer

Hello I also noticed that at the CPU power supply level (on the motherboard), there were 4 separate pins, and I don't know what that corresponds to...  In the 3rd photo, I can barely see an 8-pin connector (but there seem to be 8 wires), and next to it, there's the unconnected 4-pin connector.  https://fr.msi.com/Motherboard/Z590-A-PRO  At the very bottom of the page for an MSI Z 590 motherboard, it's the A-pro, but Noe934 doesn't specify, I read that the CPU power supply is done by Thanks to two 8-pin and 4-pin power connectors and Core Boost technology  And the description near the photo: 8 and 4 pins CPU power connectors  I could assume that the 4-pin connector should also be connected to the power supply.  But I'm not very knowledgeable, I don't know Core Boost technology. I don't know if the 4-pin connector always needs to be connected to the power supply or only for the larger processors?  So I'm sharing the raw information and counting on txiki to comment on this point. Thank you. (My post can be deleted if not appropriate, no worries;)

txiki · Answer

Hello everyone, If we talk about the Z590-A PRO motherboard:  Manufacturer's specifications: 1- This motherboard features a 12 + 2 + 1 Duet Rail power supply accompanied by a powerful VRM to exploit its full potential. With two power connectors of 8 and 4 pins and Core Boost technology, this PRO series motherboard is ready to support high-end processors. 2- MSI's Core Boost technology combines a printed circuit board and power supply working together to ensure the processor is powered more quickly, without any distortion and with extreme precision. In addition to supporting multi-core processors, this technology offers the best possible conditions for overclocking.  "I also noticed that at the processor power level (on the motherboard) there were 4 separate pins and I don't know what that corresponds to… " in your first question. You have the explanation here, in point 2. NOTE: "you should see star-shaped solder (like when loading a Youtube video)", located in the red circles in the photo. It's for the ground, just like in a car, the ground or return current is done through the body.   Internal connectors: 1x 24-pin ATX main power connector 1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector 1x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector 1x 6-pin ATX PCIe power connector  We have several power connectors: general (24 pins on the right), processor (8 pins on the left) see point 2 above.  I repeat: I don't know if you bought this motherboard with the compatible power supply. Best regards! -- Happiness is the only thing you can give without having it.

txiki · Answer

Hello everyone,
These connectors (8 and 4 pins) are secondary but essential for better processor performance (see indications on the site).
I have the impression that you bought the ATX board from one place and the power supply from another. True or false?
Connector diagrams
Make sure that all power cables are properly connected to an appropriate ATX power supply to ensure stable operation of the motherboard.
Regards!

--
Happiness is the only thing that one can give without having it.

Pierr10 · Answer

Hello,

I’m back just regarding the "electrical shocks" issue.

It means two things:

1) The power supply is of poor quality and has AC current leaks.

2) There is a grounding problem.
- Either the grounding connection of the different parts of the PC (especially the case metal) is poorly made.
- Or the wall socket does not have a ground, or this grounding does not work. This is a problem to be addressed with an electrician.

--
What is well conceived is clearly expressed,
And the words to say it come easily.
(Boileau)

Noe934 · Answer

Hello Pierr10,

Do you know how to fix the issue that "the grounding of the different parts of the PC (especially the case metal) is poorly done" because I can't think of anything else since the wall outlet is connected to ground and my tower is on a UPS. The power supply is new and of good quality (Corsair 750w 80+ gold) so I only see a grounding problem or a possible incompatibility.
Don't you think?
Thank you

Noe934 · Answer

Hi Txiki

Thank you for all your explanations.

Yes, I bought the motherboard and the power supply separately ^^'

So basically, my power supply and motherboard are incompatible?

My power supply is not made for ATX motherboards, is that right?

As for the 4 remaining pins, I don't plan on overclocking my processor (I think), so is it really necessary for the power supply and motherboard to be 100% compatible?

Thank you.

txiki · Answer

Hello everyone,  "So basically my power supply and my motherboard are incompatible?": I didn't say that. The motherboard has several connectors, on the right and at the top in the photo (if that's the one you have). So your power supply should have outputs for those connectors on the motherboard. "So is it really necessary for the power supply and the motherboard to be 100% compatible?": preferably yes, if the manufacturer has provided separate connections, it's certainly not by chance! But it's not a requirement, so if you want it to work correctly, you'll need to wire them up. Don't come back later saying your processor isn't working well.... "because the wall socket is connected to a ground and my tower is connected to a UPS": the ground socket is connected? Because it's present on the wall socket? Is that it? Did you measure it? And is the UPS connected to ground? In short, we don't know (I'm not at your place....).  &#9656; Pierr10 says: "The power supply is of poor quality and has alternating current leaks." I agree with him. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's in good condition (factory defects do exist).  "Either the wall socket has no ground, or this grounding isn't working": that's what I was telling you, did you have the grounding socket measured? I've often seen power sockets in an installation but at the meter the "ground" wire didn't go to the ground.... And there's also the poor insulation of your components in the box. But I'm primarily thinking of a manufacturing defect in the power supply. A priori! Best regards!  -- Happiness is the only thing that can be given without having it.

obi · Answer

Hello
Among the elements to check for grounding, there is also this bent cable between the Corsair power supply and the inverter or the wall socket. This cable, aside from the bend, is quite universal so you can find it on other devices at your place or a neighbor's to do a test.

Noe934 · Answer

Problem solved!

Thanks to everyone for your help!

I borrowed my neighbor's multimeter to measure the ground and as txiki said, the problem came from there. All the sockets in the house have it except for the ones in my room; I don't know what that's about but in the meantime, until the problem gets resolved, I'll use an extension cord...
Thank you!
Well, now I have another problem but okay.
If you're knowledgeable about new motherboards and BIOS, take a look at my other question ;)

Thanks

PC Case Electric Shock Issue

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