PC is tripping the house

[davidjpowell]

New PC arrived mid December. Since then the house circuit breaker trips on a regular basis.

Away for a couple of days at the end of the week. It's tripped the breakers again, and does whenever plugged in. PC was switched off, although master switch at the back was on. Is there any likely cause / component failure?

I can send it back, but would prefer to diagnose and replace faulty part myself if possible as the supplier was a bit slapdash with their timing.

[GlenMH]

Sounds like the power supply is a bit dodgy... On a new PC I would have to say I am in the "send it back" camp.

[davidjpowell]

My thinking is that I will speak to them on the phone, and offer for them to send a replacement PSU, assuming that they are happy with any diagnosis that I and fellow pistonheads can come up with....

[mattley]

I'd check the power lead.

[dtmpower]

GlenMH said:

Sounds like the power supply is a bit dodgy... On a new PC I would have to say I am in the "send it back" camp.

Depends if you want to send off your private data and expect it to come back in one piece - swapping the PSU is an easy enough job.

I often buy a PSU with a 3 year warranty from ebuyer or Novatech and when, as they do, normally blow up after about a year. I buy a new one and send the original back separately under warranty and ask for a refund rather than a replacement. Then I get a 3 year new warranty.

[rb5230]

could maybe try a higher voltage breaker in you elcetricity consumer box?

[davidjpowell]

Not trying a higher breaker box. If it's blowing its for a reason. I have tried a different power lead, and have also tried it in a different socket. Instant that power goes to PC pop goes isolator.

I think I will have to hook up the hard drive at some point today and back-up.

PSU seems to be the favourite? I can't really see what else what devastate the mains to the same effect.

[UpTheIron]

mattley said:

I'd check the power lead.

This. Then if it still happens, send it back.

[Zad]

If swapping the mains lead hasn't helped then it is the PSU, and the breaker is tripping for a reason. Personally, I would be very wary of using it at all in case it takes out your hard drive.

[davidjpowell]

going to hook the drive up to another PC rather than power up the faulty one.

[davidjpowell]

Back to this thread. The PC supplier replaced the fault PSU and all has been well for 6 weeks. Now got the same symptoms again. Plug PC in and bang goes the power in the house.

Supplier not answering phone, - not even their stupid menu system and just had a special offer. Sneaking suspicion that they have gone bust.

The PC lives in the home office (shed with insulation) which can get pretty cold over a weekend. Everything else copes OK, but I wonder if this could be causing an issue for this PSU unit. Looks like I will have to buy a replacement this time.

[rhinochopig]

What does the PC draw - some of the newer rigs are running 1200W power supplies? This with a very old consumer unit / wiring could be the issue.

[davidjpowell]

I think it's a 700w power supply. modern wiring, and it trips the earth rather than the circuit breaker

[Cerberus90]

dtmpower said:

GlenMH said:

Sounds like the power supply is a bit dodgy... On a new PC I would have to say I am in the "send it back" camp.

I often buy a PSU with a 3 year warranty from ebuyer or Novatech and when, as they do, normally blow up after about a year. I buy a new one and send the original back separately under warranty and ask for a refund rather than a replacement. Then I get a 3 year new warranty.

Thats one of the worst pieces of advice I've ever seen. Why would you continue to buy a PSU that you know will blow.

You do know that when a PSU blows up, it can destroy the rest of the PC too.

Buying a sub-standard PSU is something alot of people do and don't realise how important the PSU is. A good PSU will outlast a build. I had been using my previous PSU for about 3 years.

[dtmpower]

Cerberus90 said:

dtmpower said:

GlenMH said:

Sounds like the power supply is a bit dodgy... On a new PC I would have to say I am in the "send it back" camp.

I often buy a PSU with a 3 year warranty from ebuyer or Novatech and when, as they do, normally blow up after about a year. I buy a new one and send the original back separately under warranty and ask for a refund rather than a replacement. Then I get a 3 year new warranty.

Thats one of the worst pieces of advice I've ever seen. Why would you continue to buy a PSU that you know will blow.

You do know that when a PSU blows up, it can destroy the rest of the PC too.

Buying a sub-standard PSU is something alot of people do and don't realise how important the PSU is. A good PSU will outlast a build. I had been using my previous PSU for about 3 years.

Who said anything about sub standard ? I have only bought Antec and they have always been £60+ - they just don't tend to outlast the warranty.. part of being used at home every day and being switched on/off often.

[Zad]

The shed gets cold... One word. Condensation.

Moisture from the air condenses out on the power supply (and PC) components. You switch it on and one of two things happens; moisture condensed out on the PSU circuit board conducts mains power to ground (if you are lucky) or causes components in the PSU to produce the wrong output. It needs to be a couple of hours at room temperature before you even think of switching it on. Bring it up to the warm house and dry it out before you even think of plugging it in again.

ETA: Can be Antec, can be a £10 PSU, can be a £1000 PSU, if it gets wet with moisture, the mains will still trip.

Edited by Zad on Monday 1st March 15:32

[Cerberus90]

dtmpower said:

Cerberus90 said:

dtmpower said:

GlenMH said:

Sounds like the power supply is a bit dodgy... On a new PC I would have to say I am in the "send it back" camp.

I often buy a PSU with a 3 year warranty from ebuyer or Novatech and when, as they do, normally blow up after about a year. I buy a new one and send the original back separately under warranty and ask for a refund rather than a replacement. Then I get a 3 year new warranty.

Thats one of the worst pieces of advice I've ever seen. Why would you continue to buy a PSU that you know will blow.

You do know that when a PSU blows up, it can destroy the rest of the PC too.

Buying a sub-standard PSU is something alot of people do and don't realise how important the PSU is. A good PSU will outlast a build. I had been using my previous PSU for about 3 years.

Who said anything about sub standard ? I have only bought Antec and they have always been £60+ - they just don't tend to outlast the warranty.. part of being used at home every day and being switched on/off often.

When you said "from ebuyer or novatech" I assumed you meant one of the cheapo cheapo el'generico own brand ones.
Sorry.

But still, Antec are a good make and should outlast their warranties. Unless your running them at 100% all the time for 3 years.

[davidjpowell]

Zad said:

The shed gets cold... One word. Condensation.

Moisture from the air condenses out on the power supply (and PC) components. You switch it on and one of two things happens; moisture condensed out on the PSU circuit board conducts mains power to ground (if you are lucky) or causes components in the PSU to produce the wrong output. It needs to be a couple of hours at room temperature before you even think of switching it on. Bring it up to the warm house and dry it out before you even think of plugging it in again.

ETA: Can be Antec, can be a £10 PSU, can be a £1000 PSU, if it gets wet with moisture, the mains will still trip.

Edited by Zad on Monday 1st March 15:32

It's in my thoughts. But the PC is mostly left switched on so should always be presenting some heat, enough to keep condensation at bay. Otherwise then why do my printer, server and laptop not complain? Or is it the PSU which is particularly weak in this regard?

[lestag]

Put the PC on another circuit in the house and see if the issue remain.
Take it to your firends place an see if it causes the same thing.

these two things will identify where the issue is

[Simon Says]

Cerberus90 said:

dtmpower said:

GlenMH said:

Sounds like the power supply is a bit dodgy... On a new PC I would have to say I am in the "send it back" camp.

I often buy a PSU with a 3 year warranty from ebuyer or Novatech and when, as they do, normally blow up after about a year. I buy a new one and send the original back separately under warranty and ask for a refund rather than a replacement. Then I get a 3 year new warranty.

Thats one of the worst pieces of advice I've ever seen. Why would you continue to buy a PSU that you know will blow.

You do know that when a PSU blows up, it can destroy the rest of the PC too.

Buying a sub-standard PSU is something alot of people do and don't realise how important the PSU is. A good PSU will outlast a build. I had been using my previous PSU for about 3 years.

totally agree,one of those get what you pay for and decent brand means everything