PC power supply, Please Help

[Mrpotatohead]

Hello,

My PC Power Supply Unit came fitted with a 13A fuse in the power cable. When i just turned my pc on it blown the fuse and now its completely dead. I took the Power Supply Unit out and checked the label and it says:

Input Current 10A – 5A

I did not realise this as i thought the cable that came with the unit would just work straight out the box! My question is, do i use a 10A fuse or 5A?? and would they be safe to plug in a power strip?

Thank you!

 

[Deleted member 105166]

I plug this into a surge protected power strip which makes a pop when I flick the switch.

What happens if you plug it directly into a wall socket?

 

[telectrix]

What happens if you plug it directly into a wall socket?

it goes bang?

 

[Mrpotatohead]

I think I misread that, thanks.

I'd change the lead, sounds like it could be a break in an old cable causing the fuse to operate.

13A is normal for a PC plug top fuse, some PC's can pull over 1500W which sits it between 3A and 13A fuse types.

As 3A would be too low, 13A is used.

Can a 5A or 10A fused be used? I don't think it's the cable getting old as this was replaced when the PSU got replaced. Could it be my surge protected power strip? Is it OK to plug a 13A plug into a power strip? When I flick the switch on the power strip, nothing else is turned on as I always turn my PC on first then my monitor

 

[Mrpotatohead]

it goes bang?

Never tried as my wall socket is hard to get to so I use a power strip

 

[telectrix]

possible surge problem. try plugging in with PC and monitor off. then switch pc on, then monitor, so that the plug fuse is not seeing the full inrush current of both at same time.

 

[Spoon]

Never tried as my wall socket is hard to get to so I use a power strip

Try a different power strip.

 

[telectrix]

power strip? like this?

 

[Deleted member 105166]

Never tried as my wall socket is hard to get to so I use a power strip

We're trying to help you by process of elimination. Take the "power strip" out of the equation and see what happens. Also forget about 5A and 10A fuses, this is a red herring (and outside of the scope of ISITEE, which only recognises 3A and 13A fuses). Plug it into any other 13A wall socket!

 

[Link65]

Can a 5A or 10A fused be used? I don't think it's the cable getting old as this was replaced when the PSU got replaced. Could it be my surge protected power strip? Is it OK to plug a 13A plug into a power strip? When I flick the switch on the power strip, nothing else is turned on as I always turn my PC on first then my monitor

The fuse size wont cause the issue you're having, be it 5, 10 or 13Amp you'll get the same result with all of them.

Something is causing the fuse to blow, if it's blowing instantly then its pulling somewhere around 40-60Amps or more of fault current at a rough guess, so to me (and I'm by no means an expert, so take this as you will) it sounds like you have a short somewhere.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

power strip? like this?

Where's the unsee button?

 

[Spoon]

Where's the unsee button?

I don't see a problem.. I'd have a doughnut eating comp with her.

 

[Mrpotatohead]

We're trying to help you by process of elimination. Take the "power strip" out of the equation and see what happens. Also forget about 5A and 10A fuses, this is a red herring (and outside of the scope of ISITEE, which only recognises 3A and 13A fuses). Plug it into any other 13A wall socket!

i dont have a PSU atm as its completely dead, i'll try tomorrow when i get a replacement.

 

[LeeH]

Can a 5A or 10A fused be used? I don't think it's the cable getting old as this was replaced when the PSU got replaced. Could it be my surge protected power strip? Is it OK to plug a 13A plug into a power strip? When I flick the switch on the power strip, nothing else is turned on as I always turn my PC on first then my monitor

Use whatever you like but a 13A is fine. You seem to be getting hung up on fuse sizes.

Only 2 sizes are needed. 3 and 13.

If a 13 is popping even after changing the cord it’s time for a new one of whatever is on the end of it. PC, PSU or a banana bending machine.

 

[Pete E]

i dont have a PSU atm as its completely dead, i'll try tomorrow when i get a replacement.

If its possible to safely power up the PSU before you put it in the computer , I would do that at the very least...If this one then pops, you know the problem is further back, possibly in the extension lead..

If its fine out of the PC, fit it back in and try again...

Expensive way to fault things though!

 

[Spoon]

....banana bending machine

I thought they just use kids for that....

 

[Lucien Nunes]

10-5A refers to the absolute maximum the PSU can consume at 120V to 230V respectively, i.e. 5A at 230V. It has nothing to do with the plug fuse size. Any of 5A, 10A, 13A fuses should be OK - the PSU has internal protection against overload - but the inrush on large PSUs can fatigue a 5A fuse after time. They are designed to be protected at 16A in Europe where protection is in the DB not in the plug fuse.

If a desktop computer PSU blows a 13A fuse it is faulty, end of. A typical desktop draws 1-2A on 230V maybe even less than 1A. Only if you have multiple super duper graphics cards all mining crypto would you need 1500W as mentioned above.

 

[static zap]

power strip? like this?

Power strip in Pink ..original..!

Classic causes for big bang ...a) Include Flicking that little 120/240 selector switch on older " Models"!
..b) They often die in a spectacular bang ,if cheap (large Black Label) No internal fuse !

( My Unsee is not working today)

Middle size 5A would be a DIY Home owner answer !
(under 10A stated on Euro plug)
99% chance , need a new power-supply/ case with free one !
-Unless cable has been damaged /trapped ...-Throw them both !

 

[stevels4]

As above, most decent ATX Power supply units are protected by an internal T5A or T6.3A fuse but there are exceptions with some unbranded models!
The voltage selection switch if in the 110/120V position usually results in a loud bang followed by plumes of white acrid smoke as the smoothing capacitors rated at 200VDC are suddenly provided with 400VDC then overheat and vent.
There was also a problem with some supplied mains leads a while ago where both the outer insulation and conductor insulation cracked when flexed and also faulty molded plugs.
Buy a decent branded ATX PSU and try that.

 

[Ned Gibbons]

While you're swapping out the PSU have a good look at the mother board especially the capacitors. If any leaking or have swelled then it's new mother board time.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

If the 13A fuse is blowing, changing to a 5A or 3A will not help, they will just blow.
I am wondering whether you have installed any new cards in the pc, especially graphic cards?
If that is not the case, then you may have a siezed hard drive.

 

[Strima]

The PSU is dead, long live the PSU, fit another one.

Was this a new or old PSU? If a new one then it could well have been faulty from the manufacturer.

 

[Link65]

I'd be -very- surprised if an internal component beyond the PSU was causing a 13A fuse to fail. Even a seized drive or faulty caps on a motherboard shouldn't cause a fuse of that size to blow. If you've been picking up new PSU's one after another I'm guessing you're buying cheap ones, don't.

Change the lead, change the PSU, plug directly into a wall socket and then let us know what happens.

if that still takes the 13A fuse then I'd be inclined to check you don't have something going on with the socket, check for reverse polarity, and earthing problems, volts between neutral and earth etc.

If you are unable to do that, maybe it's best to call an electrician/PC repair guy at this point instead of throwing more money at PSU's.

 

[Link65]

The PSU is dead, long live the PSU, fit another one.

Was this a new or old PSU? If a new one then it could well have been faulty from the manufacturer.

He said in earlier posts that this is his second new PSU

 

[Strima]

He said in earlier posts that this is his second new PSU

Cheap crap then.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

It doesn’t necessarily have to be cheap crap, it could simply be under rated.