Computer that trips the circuit breaker, power supply faulty
Tom -
Hello everyone,
I recently set up a new high-end configuration. It has been running for 8 months without any issues.
One evening, I turned on the PC and it tripped a differential circuit breaker, and the power supply, an Asus ROG 850W Platinum 2 (so pretty solid), burned out.
I returned the power supply and ordered a new one of the same model. The PC restarted normally, and I used it all day without any problems.
The next day, I turned it on and experienced the same scenario: circuit breaker tripped and power supply dead again...
What do you think could be causing the problem?
Thank you!
6 réponses
Hello Tom,
The fact that 2 power supplies, of the same model and the same power, are burning out like this tends to indicate that they have a design flaw or are from a bad batch (any low-quality component).
The other idea would be the "weakness" of your meter (check with your provider, contract).
Best regards!
Hello
You can also detail your "high-end" setup because in my mind, a high-end setup is equipment requiring a minimum of 1200W power supplies, and that's a different ball game....
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Waiting for other responses; I'm attracting trolls....
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk
Intel Core i7-13700K CPU
DeepCool AK620 Zero Dark Powerful CPU Cooler 260W TDP 6 heat pipes copper, dual tower with fans each 120 mm PWM 1850
G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
Samsung 980 PRO MZ-V8P1T0BW | Internal NVMe M.2 SSD, PCIe 4.0, 1 TB, Intelligent thermal control - PS5 Compatible
ARCTIC Case Fan Hub - PWM Fan Distributor 10 Times More Powerful with SATA Power - Black (to manage the 10 Arctic P12 Max fans)
For the GPU: 4070 TI Aero Gigabyte.
So I think I've covered everything.. So yes in my jargon a PC costing almost 3000 bucks is high-end. :)
Everything is mounted in an ASUS 502 TUF case
You are on the edge with an 850w...
Simplified calculation for a power supply: graphics card at full load x2 plus CPU at full load.
Your card can draw 300W, so 600, the CPU is seen in tests at 280/300w.....
So 900w minimum.
Ideally, you need a 1000w.
In any case, if you blew up two identical ones, there are only two or three possible explanations = the power supply is too weak, or as txiki pointed out, a manufacturing defect in the power supplies, which is possible since they are identical. Last point to check, a loose connection in your wall outlet (and it's more common than we think.....) or the cable.
Good evening ;)
750 Watts or even 850 Watts is already ample, you don't also have an RTX 4090...
It consumes around 650 watts, so during assembly, we put in a 750 Watts to be safe.
In my opinion, the problem lies elsewhere ;)
I thought I was being generous, but according to various calculators, they all suggest a minimum of 850 to even 1000 watts for the power supply. (actual consumption between 650 and 700 watts)
While waiting for the electrician to check the electrical installation of my apartment, I think I will go for a 1000 watts power supply to avoid any questions.
Knowing that, as far as I remember, the rule for power supplies is: Generally, one should not exceed 80% load on the unit and keep some margin.
According to the technical specifications you provided, I get 715 Watts of consumption at full throttle, with a 30% margin included.
That said, if you have the budget, why not a 1000 W power supply or even more! It will leave you with some headroom for a future upgrade! ;)
But if I were you, even with a 1000 watts power supply, I would wait for the electrician to come before plugging it in ^^'!
The ideal efficiency of an ATX power supply is between 40 and 60% of its usable power. At 80%, it's already in the red.
Her setup is capable of drawing at least 600W on heavy gaming, for example, so no, really no, her 850W power supply is not "ample." It's enough if it's not stressed. But in gaming, it won't hold up for long.
Moreover, the conditions under which they failed suggest more of an internal defect in the power supplies rather than a line issue. Asus does not manufacture PSUs; they rebrand, so caution is advised.
The residual current device ensures the protection of people; it trips if there is a current leak.
Next to it are the circuit breakers, which are there to protect the cables; they trip in the event of a short circuit or an overload in intensity (Amperes). (equivalent to a fuse but resettable)
What exactly is tripping?
You say that everything has been working correctly for 8 months? Has an event occurred?
If it is indeed one of the small circuit breakers that has tripped and your transformer has burned out, then it's simple: your electrical system has encountered a short circuit. At one point, the varnish on the coil of the transformer on the 230-volt side melted, creating the short circuit that caused the protection to trip. (normally it trips again if you try to restore the power), (if it's the residual current device that trips, then you have a problem with the ground)
It might be useful to check the voltage of the electrical sockets.
To physically check the inside of the electrical sockets, to ensure there is no play and that the electrical wires are securely fastened, (vibrations can sometimes loosen them).
Indeed, I thought about a problem with the electrical system in my apartment; an electrician is supposed to come and do a diagnosis to rule out or pinpoint the root of the issue.
For the past 8 months, the PC had been working fine.
It was when I tried to start it, like every other day, without any different events.
No additional elements on the power strip, nothing more, nothing less.
It is indeed the differential circuit breaker that corresponds to the line supplying 3 outlets in the living room where my PC, monitor, internet box, and television (which is mostly in standby) are plugged in.
When it tripped, I couldn't reset it immediately; I had to disconnect the PC to reset it easily. I tested a hairdryer and a kettle on the outlet; there were no issues.
I come back to the peak power of my power supply, which, given other comments, raises the question of whether it is underestimated relative to electrical needs. Perhaps 850 watts is not sufficient, but in this specific case, why was I able to use the PC for 8 months the first time, and on the second occasion, with the purchase of the same power supply, I could only use it for one evening, and then the next day it happened again: circuit breaker + power supply failure?
I think, therefore, that there is potentially a problem with the cable or the coil.. and that the PC is the cause in the sense that its energy demand at a given moment is too high.. anyway, I admit I feel lost this time..
The electrician came first to inspect the electrical outlet where the PC was plugged in. The phase and neutral were reversed, which may explain the problem... however, I can't explain why, in that state, the PC was able to function for 8 months without issue the first time.
I took the PC to a diagnostic center to test the hardware.
If after all this I still cannot find the exact cause, I don't know what to do anymore.
My goal is to close this topic so that people can find an exact and precise answer.