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| Thread ID: 112937 | 2010-09-28 03:24:00 | Switching off a Desktop Computer | halkelorno (14145) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1140093 | 2010-09-28 03:24:00 | When I am ready to shut down my computer, maybe at the end of the day, I do the normal Windows shut down, Then hit the off switch on my monitor taking it from stand by to off. Then I go to my desktop unit and flick off the rear off-on switch. As I have all these cables going to a spike protection box I will often flick off the Mains switch as well. To date I have never had any power problems lightning strike problems. Recently while powering up, ie reversing the above procedure , when I came to switching on the Desktop unit ( I have a Corsair 620 watt power supply ) as I depressed the on switch I heard a crackle or zap from the switch. To me it sounded like switch flashover. Sure I may have been slow pushing the rocker type On - Off switch but I did not realise that there would be that much energy still stored up in the power supply. Everything still goes OK however I am now dubious about continuing this sequence. For safety sake I am always reluctant to leave any electronic gear like TV or computer sitting on standby if I am away for a long period . I have witnessed fires caused by this . Would I be better just to turn my mains switch off after the computer and screen has gone to its windows shutdown, as I do not want to carry out a new Power supply replacement. I appreciate all comments. |
halkelorno (14145) | ||
| 1140094 | 2010-09-28 03:31:00 | I shut down my computer once every three months or so for a reboot. It never gets shut off at the mains on purpose. YMMV |
DeSade (984) | ||
| 1140095 | 2010-09-28 03:59:00 | After PC shutdown I just turn everything off at the wall. Perhaps wait a few minutes for PSU caps to dissapate if you are to worried about it. It may just be poor PSU design, (most are just rebranded PSU's). It may have been a one-off spark, perhaps a spider/mouse got to close to the PSU internals. Just wait till you get an ants nest in the PC :mad: :mad: :mad: :badpc: There will be ongoing arguements about turning off/leaving it running Im sure -those who leave home PC's running would never leave their TV's on 24/7, same arguments/reasons should apply to both. |
1101 (13337) | ||
| 1140096 | 2010-09-28 05:49:00 | I shut down but don't bother turning switches off, PSU or wall. Same with other appliances. Overkill really........ |
pctek (84) | ||
| 1140097 | 2010-09-28 06:53:00 | When my system shuts down I turn it off at the wall. If I know there is a likelyhood of lightning I pull the wall plug and the phone cable to the modem. We had a major power strike a couple of years ago that burnt out the whole street for power and phones from a lightning strike, I guess I am a bit too careful. | Bryan (147) | ||
| 1140098 | 2010-09-28 18:58:00 | Years ago, I was playing on my Amiga during a storm. Lightning hit the transformer up the road and the light bulb above me exploded, a massive burst of noise came through my speakers, aal the hot water relays in the neighbourhood blew, neighbours toilet was blown of it's footings, someone else's electric blanket caught fire. Etc. I sat there surrounded by glass, in darkness, half deaf for a bit, then unplugged the computer and didn't dare try it until the next day. It was fine and I had it another 2 years after that. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 1140099 | 2010-09-29 07:57:00 | Hell, that must have been scary! Bet you were surprised that the computer was OK. | linw (53) | ||
| 1140100 | 2010-09-29 09:41:00 | Recently while powering up, ie reversing the above procedure , when I came to switching on the Desktop unit ( I have a Corsair 620 watt power supply ) as I depressed the on switch I heard a crackle or zap from the switch . To me it sounded like switch flashover . Sure I may have been slow pushing the rocker type On - Off switch but I did not realise that there would be that much energy still stored up in the power supply . No power is stored in the input side of a computer power supply, and very little if any at all in the output side . The crackle you heard will have been the switch contacts arcing slightly from the current inrush as they made contact, probably because you were not switching it fast enough . This can happen if you push too far away from the end of the rocker switch, i . e . toward the middle . You don't have the mechanical leverage to 'snap' the switch on, so it arcs a little as the contacts make . Peak current is at the moment of switch-on and can be 2-3 times (or more) greater than the running current . It is nothing to worry about, but don't do it too often, you can damage the switch, or the power supply . Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 1140101 | 2010-09-29 22:12:00 | Your power supply, and motherboard are riddle with capacitors. In a sense, these are all little batteries, all of which are flat until you flick on the power, and then they are very rapidly 'filled' with charge. The initial interrupted surge of power as the switch arcs is simply going no further than these capacitors. Their function is largely to smooth out the power flow from that point onwards. Much as Billy T says, the switch itself may suffer a bit, but it's not a big deal. Every switch will always arc with every contact - it's just usually that arc is too brief for us to distinguish it's noise from the click of the switch mechanism. If you wanted to protect your hardware, consider switching on the cheapest switch last, so that if that switch fries you can replace it with the least cost / inconvenience to yourself. |
Paul.Cov (425) | ||
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