PSU short circuit

[Zephyroxyl]

I recently purchased a Corsair CX550M PSU to power my first rig, as it was semi-modular and had over-current protection, over-voltage protection and short-circuit protection.  

 

After ensuring the cables were connected to the PSU correctly, I switched on the unit and the moment I did that, a couple of sparks jumped out from the back of the PSU and it promptly died. 

 

This happened when the 24 pin, 4 pin CPU, SATA power and data, and PCIE for the GPU were all connected. How likely is it that the other components in the rig are damaged from incident?

 

The power button on the case hasn't been pressed yet, if that is relevant. 

 

Thanks. 

 

[Skiiwee29]

Its a good probability that it fried other components, but you will not know until you can get a good working PSU to test each component with. 

[GirlFromYonder]

15 minutes ago, Zephyroxyl said:

I recently purchased a Corsair CX550M PSU to power my first rig, as it was semi-modular and had over-current protection, over-voltage protection and short-circuit protection.  

 

After ensuring the cables were connected to the PSU correctly, I switched on the unit and the moment I did that, a couple of sparks jumped out from the back of the PSU and it promptly died. 

 

This happened when the 24 pin, 4 pin CPU, SATA power and data, and PCIE for the GPU were all connected. How likely is it that the other components in the rig are damaged from incident?

 

The power button on the case hasn't been pressed yet, if that is relevant. 

 

Thanks. 

 

u wont know unless u test those components

[Zephyroxyl]

Alright, thanks guys. I'll see what I can do.

[Sovek]

wow.... makes me glad I didn't go with that PSU. It says 110-220V and no switch so it shouldn't do that.... Yeah, its possible it killed other components but without taking them out and putting them with known good parts,you wont be able to tell.

[quan289]

Since it died immediately after your flipped the switch on the back of the power supply, it's a primary side failure which is galvanically isolated from the secondary side that is connected to your components.

 

I would say your components is fine. Also, don't immediately assume that you have a poorly design PSU, as similar incident like this happen in the past (someone from OCN had a new, high-end EVGA G2 went out in a bang after the initial plugged in as well)

[STRMfrmXMN]

7 hours ago, Zephyroxyl said:

I recently purchased a Corsair CX550M PSU to power my first rig, as it was semi-modular and had over-current protection, over-voltage protection and short-circuit protection.  

 

After ensuring the cables were connected to the PSU correctly, I switched on the unit and the moment I did that, a couple of sparks jumped out from the back of the PSU and it promptly died. 

 

This happened when the 24 pin, 4 pin CPU, SATA power and data, and PCIE for the GPU were all connected. How likely is it that the other components in the rig are damaged from incident?

 

The power button on the case hasn't been pressed yet, if that is relevant. 

 

Thanks. 

 

It sounds like you may have switched from 110V to 220V on the back of the PSU on accident. An expensive mistake. Definitely not going to be covered by an RMA but your other components are probably fine.

[Sovek]

1 hour ago, STRMfrmXMN said:

It sounds like you may have switched from 110V to 220V on the back of the PSU on accident. An expensive mistake. Definitely not going to be covered by an RMA but your other components are probably fine.

How is it possible to do that if it doesnt have said switch in the first place? I've looked up pics and even an unboxing video and it doesnt have that. Come to think of it, my Seasonic M12II doesnt have it either.

[STRMfrmXMN]

2 minutes ago, Sovek said:

How is it possible to do that if it doesnt have said switch in the first place? I've looked up pics and even an unboxing video and it doesnt have that. Come to think of it, my Seasonic M12II doesnt have it either.

Hmm, I must be mistaken. Did not see that the CX550M doesn't have that switch. I think those were removed as people would flick them and cause their PSUs to blow up. I know some prebuilts have them but most of the time the PSU is just set up to work with the voltage from the wall of the region the PSU is being sold.

[Sovek]

Just now, STRMfrmXMN said:

Hmm, I must be mistaken. Did not see that the CX550M doesn't have that switch. I think those were removed as people would flick them and cause their PSUs to blow up. I know some prebuilts have them but most of the time the PSU is just set up to work with the voltage from the wall of the region the PSU is being sold.

So its region locked PSU? that kinda sucks if you do alot of international travel.

[STRMfrmXMN]

Just now, Sovek said:

So its region locked PSU? that kinda sucks if you do alot of international travel.

Well, some will work both ways. It varies. It's best practice to check with the manufacturer that the PSU will run both 115V nominal and 230V nominal. Some will, some won't.

[quan289]

Power supplies that has Active PFC can automatically adjust for an AC voltage range of 100~240V and would not have that red 115/230V switch (red switch is an indicator that it has either passive PFC or no PFC).

 

There are regional APFC units such as the Corsair VS that only operates in the 200~240V range but that's about it. If you have an APFC unit that can work in the US (120V), then it would also work in the EU, AU, etc. You just need a proper power cord for where you are going.