What would happen if you threw a power supply in a pool?

undergrounddlz · 12-06-2007, 06:46 PM

I was reading my COMPTIA 2006 book a sec ago, and it was talking about how monitors and PSU's are considered "black boxes" and too never open them unless you are trained how. Also said even when they are no longer plugged in, and out of the case, the charged capicitors can still contain enough electricity to kill someone...

It just popped into my head what would happen if you were to throw one into a pool, with possibly people in it? Hypothetically speaking of course.

peterhuang913 · 12-06-2007, 06:58 PM

The capacitors in it would discharge into the water, but thats only if there is a charge in them.

bmxfreakrider · 12-06-2007, 08:54 PM

they do hold a charge not for long tho. i know i took one psu apart after about like an hour and the screwdriver made an arc on something, destroying the psu. so now i wait 48hrs and there is no ark.

and as a precaution, i also press the power button on the pc after i unplug it, but before i disconnect it. dont know if it does anything, but it might discharge the stored energy.

peterhuang913 · 12-06-2007, 09:01 PM

You can discharge the arc with a multi-meter rated at 500VDC. Also, I think pressing the power button with no power-feed does sap the PSU's capacitors making it safe.

BiGyLiLuPdAmIdL · 12-06-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undergrounddlz

contain enough electricity to kill someone...

It just popped into my head what would happen if you were to throw one into a pool, with possibly people in it? Hypothetically speaking of course.

haha i just thought it was funny how you added that last part to it after the killing people.

Brinson · 12-08-2007, 07:44 AM

Oh ****...

I've taken apart psus multiple times just for fun...those ****** stock ones, usually rated too low to control modern pcs, from scrap pcs...was I in mortal peril without knowing it?

Vaanish · 12-08-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brinson

Oh ****...

I've taken apart psus multiple times just for fun...those ****** stock ones, usually rated too low to control modern pcs, from scrap pcs...was I in mortal peril without knowing it?

Lets put it this way: I wouldnt do it.

peterhuang913 · 12-08-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brinson

Oh ****...

I've taken apart psus multiple times just for fun...those ****** stock ones, usually rated too low to control modern pcs, from scrap pcs...was I in mortal peril without knowing it?

Well, 500VDC capacitors do pack a punch.

CrazeD · 12-08-2007, 01:42 PM

Meh, I've taken apart a ton of them to replace fans, steal fans, steal other stuff, etc. I've never been shocked. Just either don't touch the capacitors, or discharge it with something. All you gotta do is plug something into it and jump it or something and it will drain all the power, or at least enough to make it safe.

Now CRT's and TV's on the other hand...very very dangerous! They can store upwards of 30,000VAC at high amperage for quite a while, which will pretty much instantly kill you. You can easily discharge it, but you must be very careful.

EDIT: haha, this is what would happen:

YouTube - Computer Power supply Vs. Water

carnageX · 12-10-2007, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazeD

Meh, I've taken apart a ton of them to replace fans, steal fans, steal other stuff, etc. I've never been shocked. Just either don't touch the capacitors, or discharge it with something. All you gotta do is plug something into it and jump it or something and it will drain all the power, or at least enough to make it safe.

Now CRT's and TV's on the other hand...very very dangerous! They can store upwards of 30,000VAC at high amperage for quite a while, which will pretty much instantly kill you. You can easily discharge it, but you must be very careful.

EDIT: haha, this is what would happen:

YouTube - Computer Power supply Vs. Water

My friend's brother was at work one day, and one of his co-workers was working on an open CRT monitor. And apparently, as the story was told to me, a guy was walking buy and touched the guy who was working on the monitor, and the guy that was walking by/touched the other guy got the shock and it made him fly backwards, yet the guy working on the monitor was unharmed lol. The guy was all right, but that's still one helluva punch o.O

12-06-2007, 06:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
undergrounddlz Newb Techie Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 38	What would happen if you threw a power supply in a pool? I was reading my COMPTIA 2006 book a sec ago, and it was talking about how monitors and PSU's are considered "black boxes" and too never open them unless you are trained how. Also said even when they are no longer plugged in, and out of the case, the charged capicitors can still contain enough electricity to kill someone... It just popped into my head what would happen if you were to throw one into a pool, with possibly people in it? Hypothetically speaking of course.

12-06-2007, 08:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
bmxfreakrider G33K P0W3R!!!! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: HickTown, California (hesperia) Posts: 1,907	Re: What would happen if you threw a power supply in a pool? they do hold a charge not for long tho. i know i took one psu apart after about like an hour and the screwdriver made an arc on something, destroying the psu. so now i wait 48hrs and there is no ark. and as a precaution, i also press the power button on the pc after i unplug it, but before i disconnect it. dont know if it does anything, but it might discharge the stored energy. __________________ Laptop (POC....lmao) Gateway MT6729 \|\| I-Rocks 5btn Laser _________________________________ Desktop (BlueDemon) TT Bach VX \|\| DFI Infinity \|\| X2 3600+ @2.4ghz Asus 7300LE \|\| 1GB Corsair VS \|\| WD 160GB Compaq FS7600 17" \|\| OCZ Equalizer 7btn 2500dpi MASSIVE OVERCLOCK

12-08-2007, 07:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
Brinson Ultra Techie Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 991	Re: What would happen if you threw a power supply in a pool? Oh **... I've taken apart psus multiple times just for fun...those **** stock ones, usually rated too low to control modern pcs, from scrap pcs...was I in mortal peril without knowing it? __________________ Brinson's Ubuntu Hardy Heron PC Ultra Microfly Case 350w Antec Basiq Intel Core 2 Duo e6750 ECS G31T-M 2x1gb OCZ Gold 800mhz DDR2 160gb Hard Drive DVD Burner

12-08-2007, 01:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
CrazeD Master Techie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 2,750	Re: What would happen if you threw a power supply in a pool? Meh, I've taken apart a ton of them to replace fans, steal fans, steal other stuff, etc. I've never been shocked. Just either don't touch the capacitors, or discharge it with something. All you gotta do is plug something into it and jump it or something and it will drain all the power, or at least enough to make it safe. Now CRT's and TV's on the other hand...very very dangerous! They can store upwards of 30,000VAC at high amperage for quite a while, which will pretty much instantly kill you. You can easily discharge it, but you must be very careful. EDIT: haha, this is what would happen: YouTube - Computer Power supply Vs. Water __________________ Need website help? PM me! Last edited by CrazeD; 12-08-2007 at 01:57 PM.

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