Is this normal? Arcing inside new PSU!

Tom86 · 22nd July 2009, 12:30 PM

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a new PSU it's a Coolermaster SilentPro 700M. Lastnight, while I was messing around with cables and stuff at the back of the case. I noticed that there was a small intermittent arcing of electricity inside the PSU kinda like it was shorting out. When I look closely it appeared to be coming from the inside of this orange transistor like tube. Is this normal? or do I have a faulty PSU?

Thanks

SpudBoy · 22nd July 2009, 12:31 PM

i would say..

unplug and return to point of sale.

that is, unless you want to fry your pc, and quite likely, your house.

Tom86 · 22nd July 2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

unplug and return to point of sale.

That was the first thing that come to mind. But since the arching is contained within this glass tube and not arcing between components got me thinking that it could be a normal thing. Imagine those glass plasma ball thing where you put your hand on it and you get electricity arcing all over the place

Would be good if someone with the same power supply could look in the back of theirs.

Big Trev · 22nd July 2009, 1:02 PM

It's all good...

Click to view full size!

Tom86 · 22nd July 2009, 1:07 PM

You've seen this before Big Trev? what the hell is it?

EMupp · 22nd July 2009, 1:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom86

You've seen this before Big Trev? what the hell is it?

He's joking, that's a picture of Nicola Tesler. Famous for producing machines that made huge arcing lightning effects, among other things.

Big Trev · 22nd July 2009, 1:32 PM

Yeah, I was just being a smartarse. I have nothing useful to contribute.

Daft_Munt · 22nd July 2009, 1:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom86

You've seen this before Big Trev? what the hell is it?

Look up Tesla downunder, he is a member on here, put a tin foil hat on and lets the arcs fly while in a swimming pool.

Idafe007 · 22nd July 2009, 1:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom86

That was the first thing that come to mind. But since the arching is contained within this glass tube and not arcing between components got me thinking that it could be a normal thing. Imagine those glass plasma ball thing where you put your hand on it and you get electricity arcing all over the place

Would be good if someone with the same power supply could look in the back of theirs.

Electricity, arcing and Normal, those 3 words never belong together....
Unless the glass tube you refer to, is a neon tube, in that case, yes it's NORMAL.

Tom86 · 22nd July 2009, 2:54 PM

Umm I know all about Nikola Tesla and the lighting machine etc.

What got me curious is that, this tube thing. Think a grain of rice size tube devided into 3 sections. The top and bottom section is coloured orange and the middle is clear. Don't know what it does but the arcing is contained within this thing.

It got me thinking that it could be some sort of viewing window that lets you see that it's working? and I don't think there is any danger, but I could be wrong. Someone with some electronic knowledge must know what it is.

tobes · 22nd July 2009, 3:00 PM

You're not talking about a neon bulb are you?

192.168.0.1 · 22nd July 2009, 5:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom86

Is this normal? or do I have a faulty PSU?

Thanks

Unfortunately most PSU manufactures steer clear of sending eletrictity through a medium such as air, due to it's unpredictable nature. Currently wires and circuit boards have this job. I would say it's time to whip the little fella out and take it back to the POS (Point of Sale

errm)

426 Hemi · 22nd July 2009, 5:50 PM

That’s why I never recommend Coolermaster PSU's. I know it could happen to any manufacturer but, on the whole CM PSU's are just cheaply made. I always recommend Corsair, Antec or Seasonic PSU’s.

Agg · 22nd July 2009, 8:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom86

What got me curious is that, this tube thing. Think a grain of rice size tube devided into 3 sections. The top and bottom section is coloured orange and the middle is clear. Don't know what it does but the arcing is contained within this thing.

It got me thinking that it could be some sort of viewing window that lets you see that it's working? and I don't think there is any danger, but I could be wrong. Someone with some electronic knowledge must know what it is.

Could this mysterious object of wonder be a fuse that has blown in such a way that it's still allowing arcing to occur? It does happen sometimes.

BAAZMAN · 22nd July 2009, 8:45 PM

are you able to get a pic?

22nd July 2009, 12:30 PM	#1
Tom86 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PERTH Posts: 59	Is this normal? Arcing inside new PSU! Hi everyone, I recently bought a new PSU it's a Coolermaster SilentPro 700M. Lastnight, while I was messing around with cables and stuff at the back of the case. I noticed that there was a small intermittent arcing of electricity inside the PSU kinda like it was shorting out. When I look closely it appeared to be coming from the inside of this orange transistor like tube. Is this normal? or do I have a faulty PSU? Thanks

22nd July 2009, 1:02 PM	#4
Big Trev Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Melbourne 3195 Posts: 1,769	It's all good... Click to view full size! __________________ Children are our future, but unfortunately we can't pick which ones.

22nd July 2009, 1:32 PM	#7
Big Trev Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Melbourne 3195 Posts: 1,769	Yeah, I was just being a smartarse. I have nothing useful to contribute. __________________ Children are our future, but unfortunately we can't pick which ones.

22nd July 2009, 3:00 PM	#11
tobes Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 2,531	You're not talking about a neon bulb are you? __________________ I'm a twit but you should still check out My Awesome Blog "SCIENCE! It's really just a modern version of a monkey shit fight." Tao "If you don't squat the terrorists win" KEi]SoVeReIgN Successful Trades: marshy, cbjaust, cougar14, stedyedy, RakOon, Matt P.

22nd July 2009, 5:50 PM	#13
426 Hemi Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 106	That’s why I never recommend Coolermaster PSU's. I know it could happen to any manufacturer but, on the whole CM PSU's are just cheaply made. I always recommend Corsair, Antec or Seasonic PSU’s. __________________ Fear is the killer of dreams. Successful trades: ALx, charithjperera, mitch79, aussie-revhead, hendot, Saiyan_Overlord, yaphax, cmanc, not4us, Parthi, heratio, ddxsamx,linton.

22nd July 2009, 1:07 PM	#5
Tom86 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PERTH Posts: 59	You've seen this before Big Trev? what the hell is it?

22nd July 2009, 2:54 PM	#10
Tom86 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PERTH Posts: 59	Umm I know all about Nikola Tesla and the lighting machine etc. What got me curious is that, this tube thing. Think a grain of rice size tube devided into 3 sections. The top and bottom section is coloured orange and the middle is clear. Don't know what it does but the arcing is contained within this thing. It got me thinking that it could be some sort of viewing window that lets you see that it's working? and I don't think there is any danger, but I could be wrong. Someone with some electronic knowledge must know what it is.