PSU question

[ppanickk]

Dear Forum Members

I have acquired a Xigmatek power supply from a used PC I purchased on a for parts basis . I cracked open the PSU cover and it seems there is a stray yellow cable that does not connect to anything. Is this normal or should I get my soldering iron and solder it somewhere. I was thinking perhaps the rocker (on/off) switch is damaged but after some time looking into the matter it might not be the problem, because there are 2-pin rocker switches. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
ppanickk

 

[sLowEnd]

The yellow wire is ground.

Usually that would be attached to the PSU housing somewhere. I don't think I've seen any good PSUs leaving it loose like that.

You can see for example in these two cases, it's screwed into the PSU housing

Seasonic Core GX Series 500 W Review

The Seasonic Core GX-500 performs well and is silent under normal operating conditions. Its fully modular cable design and compact dimensions are great, too. If only you could find it at a lower price.

www.techpowerup.com

Gigabyte UD850GM 850 W Review - No Fireworks

The Gigabyte UD850GM is a decent choice at around $110. It lacks a bit in overall performance, but has fully working protection features, compact dimensions, and won't force you to wear earplugs as long as it isn't pushed hard. I expect an upgraded version with a 12VHPWR connector for future...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[Toothless]

Man that PSU screams fire hazard.

 

[wNotyarD]

Man that PSU screams fire hazard.

From some Brazilian reviews on Xigmatek PSU's, it probably is.
Surprised there isn't a cinder block inside.

 

[faye]

I wouldn't trust that thing. With anything.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I wouldn't trust that thing. With anything.

I agree. While I also agree that is a ground wire. It should be attached to a chassis ground point through the main circuit board (to ensure the board is properly grounded to the PSU case), then to Earth ground. In fact, if you look closely at that mounting screw in the corner in your image #4, you can see the schematic symbol for ground, and you can see the wire's mounting hole right next to the screw mounting point where the wire "should" be soldered to. But as you can see, the hole is empty.

Worse is the fact the loose end of that wire appears to have never been attached to anything (it is still neatly tinned and trimmed). It seems clear that PSU never should have left the factory.

My fear is, if that blatant defect left the factory, what else is wrong with that power supply? ??? We don't know.

As a qualified technician (as noted through the link in my sig), I would probably pull the circuit board and inspect both sides carefully. "IF" no other obvious defects were noted, I might solder that wire to that grounding point. Then, carefully power up and thoroughly test the supply - then maybe - keep it for a spare or test bench supply. I would not trust it in one of my, or one of my client's computers.

But if you are not a qualified tech, I recommend you not mess with it at all.

Remember - ANYTHING THAT PLUGS INTO THE WALL CAN KILL!!!

 

[Eskimonster]

I´m fairly certain that was put under the screw connecting the pcb to the case in upper left corner, i wonder if you could unscrew it and check it there is residues of the wire there.

 

[wNotyarD]

I´m fairly certain that was put under the screw connecting the pcb to the case in upper left corner, i wonder if you could unscrew it and check it there is residues of the wire there.

If that was the case, there should be a ring or fork termination connector, and I see no shadow of any.

 

[Calenhad]

I guess it works fine if you use a 2 pin outlet anyway

That is not a good sign of a quality product. Or the QC staff at the factory

 

[Bill_Bright]

I´m fairly certain that was put under the screw connecting the pcb to the case in upper left corner

Nah! That would be a really bad design and assembly technique. Neither the screw nor the wire would be securely attached - meaning they could come loose due to vibration, handling or transport. That would be bad - and totally in contrast to industry standards.

If that was the case, there should be a ring or fork termination connector, and I see no shadow of any.

Right. And again, that would not be a permanent connection. Not good.

 

[P4-630]

Do it right, if you want to use your PC for years to come, get a good PSU from a welknown brand like Seasonic, Be Quiet!, Enermax, EVGA, FSP...

GL.

 

[DR4G00N]

It looks like it was originally soldered through the PCB but has broken out. Strange way to do it, this' usually why they screw it to the chassis itself.

 

[Hyderz]

put it to your local e-waste recycling centre and buy a brand new psu
my first and foremost rule for pc building, whether retro or new
quality and reliable psu is always number 1, the rest comes later
learnt that the hard way and never skimp or reuse older psu again

 

[Bill_Bright]

Strange way to do it, this' usually why they screw it to the chassis itself.

Usually? No way!

That is the primary ground wire from the [potentially deadly!] AC mains to Earth ground. It should be permanently soldered to a primary ground point. It should NEVER simply be attached with a screw - something that could easily come loose.

 

[Calenhad]

I have to say the white wire looks to be rather poorly attached as well, seen from those camera angles.

That PSU should be e-waste

 

[DR4G00N]

Usually? No way!

That is the primary ground wire from the [potentially deadly!] AC mains to Earth ground. It should be permanently soldered to a primary ground point. It should NEVER simply be attached with a screw - something that could easily come loose.

Every PSU I've seen attaches the mains ground to the PSU chassis with a screw.

 

[ppanickk]

Thanks for your responses!

 

[Bill_Bright]

Every PSU I've seen attaches the mains ground to the PSU chassis with a screw.

Hmmm, my bad! I should have practiced what I preach and did some better homework before posting.

After reading your post, I opened up 3 PSUs here. I take back, in part, what I said earlier that they should be soldered and not attached by screw.

I just inspected an EVGA, a OCZ and an Antec PSU. The Antec ground wire was soldered directly to the board adjacent to the mounting screw similarly to the image of the OP's supply. However, both the EVGA and OCZ ground wires were connected via soldered-on (not crimped) spade lugs with a nut and bolt through the chassis with a lock washer.

So, is a "nut, bolt, and lock washer" compared to a "screw" a distinction without a difference? I guess that is a matter of opinion. But I consider a nut, bolt and lock washer to the chassis a permanent (and safer) solution where a wire attached to a screw on the circuit board not.

Still, my apologies for my previous inaccurate comment.

 

[wNotyarD]

So, is a "nut, bolt, and lock washer" compared to a "screw" a distinction without a difference? I guess that is a matter of opinion. But I consider a nut, bolt and lock washer to the chassis a permanent (and safer) solution where a wire attached to a screw on the circuit board not.

In some languages, screw and bolt may get translated the same. I know that in Portuguese the word for both is parafuso. So I can understand a non-native translating to the non-most accurate English word.

 

[DR4G00N]

So, is a "nut, bolt, and lock washer" compared to a "screw" a distinction without a difference?

It depends on the context and I didn't want to be pedantic, A screw threaded into a fixed piece is still a screw and a screw threaded into a nut is a bolt. Let's just say it's attached with a fastener and call it at that.