EVGA 850w G+ PSU question... Has any of your PSUs ever done this??

[phill]

Hi guys... I hope that everyone is firstly well and ok?

I have a question about one of my EVGA 850w PSUs, it's been bugging me for a little while now but this morning was enough for me and I've got to try and understand the problem...

When turned on the extension plug for the 3 PC's that I run crunching from (1700X, 2700X and a 6700k) the PSU in the 1700X made one heck of a loud crack or pop when I turned the power on from the extension. It has it's own on off switch where I turn on the power. Similar to this but it still works afterwards....
I'm just curious has anyone's PSU/s ever done this with them? I just would like to understand the problem or possibly the problem that I might have with this PSU. They are all brand new units, this one is the only one that does this and even the other two connected to the same extension doesn't do this.

So, I've tried, a different power cable (from PSU to extension block) and now since this one made such a loud 'crack' or 'pop' (it's the only words I can really use to explain the noise... apologies for that..) I've now changed out the extension as well. I don't believe it's massively old, it's a good quality unit as far as I know, Belkin. Cable it uses is 1.5mm wire, so it'll handle the power that I draw from it, without an issue. Not even a 1000w I believe, definitely not near 13A that's for sure.

So basic question is, even though it's been working fine, running fine and giving this issue every so often (I can't honestly think how many times it's happening... but it's not frequent) should I go see if I can get it RMA'd or is it ok to carry on and use?
With my limited Googling and a quick read up on it, it definitely shouldn't be doing it, so I'm believing very firmly in RMA'ing it and see what happens...

Penny for anyone's thoughts please?

 

[oxrufiioxo]

That definitely doesn't seem normal. I would RMA it for sure.

Running a powersupply that was doing that on one of my systems would make me nervous.

 

[phill]

It bugs the heck out of me but only seems to happen ever so often.

I turn it off when the solar power starts dropping, leave it off till the morning, then turn it back on. It's not got a hard life at all (I believe I tested the unit before, maybe 160w to 180w pull from the system, rarely uses the GPU so doesn't go above 200w I'd guess in peak power), it's in a case which some others are not and yet it does this. It's a little un-nerving when it happens because it's not what you expect. I have two spare 650w units here, if it does it again in the morning, I'll swap it out and get it RMA'd. I might actually email EVGA and see what they'd suggest to do now and go from there I think....

I'm pretty certain that most people if not all would feel the same way as yourself and I.....

 

[xman2007]

Sometimes have heard similar when the power cable from the PSU get's disturbed (as in, I move the tower whilst it's on and the PSU cable might wriggle and cause something similar) or may not be fully inserted 100% though other than that and a possible faulty extension (I have one that you can see a flash from when I plug some plugs into it, still works fine and had no issues with anything that's plugged in, touch wood) then it would be slightly worrying and you're better off finding the route cause before anything more serious was to happen.

 

[phill]

Just tried it again and it's another loud cracking/popping noise and a bit of a flash out the back of the unit... Time for an RMA I think

The rest of the units have been perfect, I've two other 650w G+ models and another 850w G+ and P2 model and 2 1200w P2 models and a 1600w (that's never been used), aside from the 1600w, I've not seen it from any of the other units.

 

[Grog6]

There are traces on the PCB that are there to allow arcing; that's what you're seeing.

The reason for it is more complicated; you said it was on an extension cord?

I think the amount of the charging current, and the length of the cable are making an RLC filter, and when it fills up, the leftover is arcing.

Buy a larger gauge extension cord would be my first option.

 

[Bo$$]

Never seen anything like it on my G2, not using any fancy extensions, so i would RMA

 

[phill]

Thanks for the explanation @Grog6 but I find myself in a little confusion at the moment.

I've dug out the extension cord that is feeding from a separate supply that's for just my PC room (I had the house rewired because of it) I have tried it with a single extension which is as you mentioned, a bigger gauge. I had a 5m extension then a 2 metre connected together, the 5m was 10A (and 1.0mm cables) and the 2m was 13A (1.5mm cables). The 2m extension is an 8 way, the 5m was just a double.

When trying to turn on this morning, it did this -

I've just now tried it again with the single extension (2m, 13A) and it's still doing the same thing. I've just connected it to a plug, so no extensions at all and I'm going to try it again in a few hours to see if it still does the same thing.
What I don't understand is the fact that the other two PSUs using the same setup is having no issues at all. These are a EVGA 850W P2 and a Corsair AX1200.

What I was half tempted to do was to try and see if another PSU is going to have the same issue. I do have another 850w G+ unit that I could swap out and see if it still does it. This is powering an identical system and has never done what this unit is doing..

The plot thickens......

 

[Bill_Bright]

and a bit of a flash out the back of the unit...

Yeah, don't use it anymore and send it back.

 

[phill]

I've now just tried it without the extension plug but that gave no 'flash' but I still think I will be best off swapping out the unit. I'm not sure I have confidence in the unit at all now and rather than keep risking my Mrs's PC hardware, I'll just swap it out. I have two spare units here, so unless they do the same thing when I turn them on, I think we'll hopefully be good to go..

Could it possibly be the motherboard that would do this? I was like to hope not but wondered if it was worth a mention....

Thanks to everyone who has replied

 

[Bill_Bright]

Could it possibly be the motherboard that would do this?

Very unlikely. Significant faults on the output side would normally cause the PSU to simply shut down. Sparks of that nature would be caused by higher voltages than 12VDC.

 

[phill]

Any ideas Bill what could be causing it to spark like that?? Dry joints or something maybe inside the unit?

 

[Bill_Bright]

Any ideas Bill what could be causing it to spark like that?? Dry joints or something maybe inside the unit?

I don't know what a dry joint is. Never heard of that term used in electronics.

Arcs (sparks) are caused by voltages jumping across (arcing) a gap - typically from a high to a low (ground). Without knowing the specific source, I can only guess a faulty component, though it could be that something is physically damaged too.

For the record, I am not a fan of using power strips. I would much rather see each PC connected to a good UPS with AVR.

I would suggest you use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L4QVFQQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2VILSBUHD1UD8&psc=1]AC Outlet Tester[/url] to ensure your outlet is properly wired and grounded to Earth ground. I recommend one with a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupt) indicator as it can be used to test bathroom and kitchen outlets (outlets near water) too. These testers can be found for your type and voltage outlet, foreign or domestic, (like this one for the UK) at most home improvement stores, or even the electrical department at Wal-Mart. Use it to test all the outlets in the home and if a fault is shown, have it fixed by a qualified electrician.

 

[phill]

Dry joints -

Might be a different term for you in the US... But I hope that explains what I mean better

Well I've just switched out the unit, swapped nothing but the PSU, same cables, same power cable, same extension, nothing. Same as the others. RMA time

Thanks everyone

I had the house electrically tested a year back because I needed a certificate as the house had been completely re-wired. I don't believe they found anything wrong with any of the wiring I can upload a pic or two of their testing results but I'm not sure if that would show you anything that you'd need to know about the grounding?

Very many thanks to everyone who has replied to the thread

 

[Bill_Bright]

Thanks for that.

Yeah, I learned it as, and always used the term "cold solder" joint.

BTW, there is no industry standard for modular cables (at least not with the PSU end of the cables) So typically they are NOT interchangeable with cables from other supplies - even with the same manufacturer. The exception is if the supplies are the same model. So I am assuming that was the case here.

 

[phill]

I've two of the same model, so we can swap all over without any issues, only my OCD when I remember which cables go with what

I've tested it with the other 850w unit, same internal cables, same extension, same power plug, no issues with this one. Strangely enough, there's only one serial number different with each of the units, so hopefully this other one I have won't follow in the same footsteps I'll update the thread when I get the RMA sorted just to keep everyone up dated An EVGA test in how good their RMA is

 

[Bill_Bright]

only my OCD when I remember which cables go with what

LOL I have a colleague who supports 15 or so computers - most with different modular PSUs. To keep from losing the unused cables and to keep from getting them mixed up, he puts them in plastic bags, then tosses the plastic bags inside the computer case. That, to me, defeats the purpose of modular power supplies but frankly, I don't blame him. We really need the PSU makers to settle on a standard for modular cables.

 

[Grog6]

If you could do it without voiding the warranty, I'd love to see a picture of that part of the circuit board.

I'm curious if there's a solder glob "thisclose" to the power mains.

 

[phill]

LOL I have a colleague who supports 15 or so computers - most with different modular PSUs. To keep from losing the unused cables and to keep from getting them mixed up, he puts them in plastic bags, then tosses the plastic bags inside the computer case. That, to me, defeats the purpose of modular power supplies but frankly, I don't blame him. We really need the PSU makers to settle on a standard for modular cables.

I'm nearly half way there, with about 6 PCs and 2 servers that I look after for myself for the WCG and FAH and now Rosetta crunching and folding teams It's a bit of work but I don't half enjoy it I'll keep people updated with the progress. I'll put in the RMA tomorrow I think. As they where bought over in the US, I need make sure my mate has the receipt....

If you could do it without voiding the warranty, I'd love to see a picture of that part of the circuit board.

I'm curious if there's a solder glob "thisclose" to the power mains.

I'm also curious as to what is causing the problem but I'm also wondering if the PSU I've now got in there will suffer from the same issue later on. Both PSUs where bought at the same time (obviously) and they are used for my Mrs's and eldest daughters PCs... Both are not massively high powered machines (1700X's and RX 480's) but 850w was overkill but the price I paid, I just couldn't say no.. I think I should have grabbed some more 650w models at the same time!!

Still I digress, I'll see if and when it goes away for RMA, if EVGA can show me the problem... It'll be very interesting to see what they find

 

[Grog6]

I think that's a rare enough problem you'll never see it again, lol.

I hope so, anyway.

 

[phill]

I think that's a rare enough problem you'll never see it again, lol.

I hope so, anyway.

I like to hope so @Grog6