Killer PSU?!

[TonyTheNain]

Hello!

 

So in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d0B0Dli-1g&t=814s (How to Build the ULTIMATE Sub-zero Phase Change Cooling PC Build Guide)

Linus said that he modded his PSU by painting it white. He then said that the components inside the PSU can injure you or even KILL you.

But... the PSU will only injure or kill you if it is on right? Or it can still injure or kill you even if turned off??

If it can inujure you even when turned off, what is the components that can do that?

 

[♠FlamieMeister♠]

It can kill you if its on or off. It has capacitors that hold a lot of charge, and don't lose their energy when powered off. even touching the capacitors could kill you. Also, like i Just mentioned, it's usually the capacitors. Don't open it up though, just buy one white.

 

[Megah3rtz]

Yes even when its turned off some of the capacitors will keep their charge. 

[Enderman]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor

[Mr.Meerkat]

Capacitors are the thing that could kill you. They're a bit like batteries but work in a completely different manner as batteries are usually a chemical reaction where as capacitors are literally (in simple words) just 2 conductive plates with something insulating in between the 2 plates. 

 

The reason why it may kill you is similar to why 120V outlets are more dangerous than 230V outlets. It's nothing to do with voltage but how big the current is. You can be struck by a 1,000,000volt lightning bolt and still survive as it's current is so low where as you can be killed by a 120V outlet so...you know  

[kurtstir]

If you want to open up a psu you MUST where electricians gloves and short out the capacitors to drain their charge

[TonyTheNain]

Sooo if i buy a PSU and want to mod it, it should not be plugged until i i do the mod or they are charged even before the first use?

[kurtstir]

1 minute ago, Fourmi_Killer said:

Sooo if i buy a PSU and want to mod it, it should not be plugged until i finished or they are charged even before use?

They get tested so they will already be charge

[TonyTheNain]

1 minute ago, kurtstir said:

They get tested so they will already be charge

Ok so... Just don't touch the PSU except if  you want to die ^^

[kurtstir]

Just now, Fourmi_Killer said:

Ok so... Just don't touch the PSU except you want to die ^^

Its safe if you wear the electrician gloves and short the capacitors before hand

[Mr.Humble]

1 minute ago, Fourmi_Killer said:

Sooo if i buy a PSU and want to mod it, it should not be plugged until i finished or they are charged even before use?

Hi,

 

if your mod of the PSU consists of painting it, maybe cover the fan side and the connectors and spray paint the housing without opening the unit?

 

Also get someone who knows what they're talking about to tell you what to do, I certainly am NOT that person.

 

I think Linus also has a video on painting that one PSU.

 

1 minute ago, Fourmi_Killer said:

Ok so... Just don't touch the PSU except if  you want to die ^^

Well you can touch the housing allright, even when it's plugged in (but not powered on). It's a good method how to ground yourself when working on the PC.

[kurtstir]

1 minute ago, vojta.pokorny said:

Well you can touch the housing allright, even when it's plugged in (but not powered on). It's a good method how to ground yourself when working on the PC.

Its safe to touch the housing at all times just not the innards

[Mr.Meerkat]

Just now, rrubberr said:

You never stuck a knife into the toaster when you were a kid? Geez, kids these days .

I have tho...trying to get toasts out of the toaster ovb  

[Mr.Humble]

Just now, rrubberr said:

You never stuck a knife into the toaster when you were a kid? Geez, kids these days .

Sorry for not practicing natural selection this way

[TonyTheNain]

2 minutes ago, rrubberr said:

You never stuck a knife into the toaster when you were a kid? Geez, kids these days .

I know i didn't