Adventures in Electricity

[Jynx980]

I was messing around with a computer and wanted to test out the power supply. I didn't have a psu tester so I figured I would use my multimeter. I found a guide but it wasn't too detailed.

I tested out the purple wire (pin 9) and got around 8v. My first question is why is that at 8v when it should be at 5v? I also tried to test the yellow one, but since the pc wouldn't boot up, I couldn't test it (that right?) Then I figure 'wouldn't it be easier to test the leads on the connector side?' I placed the red connector on the yellow wire and the black connector on a black one and SNAP CRACKLE POP rice krispies my friend! Smoke starts billowing out and electronic crackles are heard even after I pull the connectors out. I unplugged the thing and rushed it outside.

Luckily I was not electrocuted and the psu was a pos. Unfortunetly the p4 connecter was in the mobo and a cd-rw was attached. Those fried now? Being a newbie of electrical testing, what did I do wrong?

BTW think its safe to open the PSU up and take a look see or should I just be glad i dont have electrical burns for now?

 

[networkman]

 

[sintaxera]

With the luck you've had so far, I wouldn't try to open that power supply unless your doing it with some thick rubber gloves on. I have no idea what you did wrong by the way, but funny story.

 

[Navid]

Don't open the power supply. It can be very dangerous.

 

[Jynx980]

I think the capacitors are discharged but better safe then sorry I suppose. I guess it just needed to be grounded properly and when I took it out the atx connector and tested it, it short circuited it or something.

Maybe I should go to the library and learn some thing about electricity.

 

[2kfire]

Nice to hear you're alright! A friend in my electrical technology class hooked up an ammeter across a 208V line. It made a nice spark, left his hand black, and I'm pretty sure it tripped 3 breakers (might've only been 2 )!!!

 

[Jynx980]

Originally posted by: 2kfire
Nice to hear you're alright! A friend in my electrical technology class hooked up an ammeter across a 208V line. It made a nice spark, left his hand black, and I'm pretty sure it tripped 3 breakers (might've only been 2 )!!!

Ouch! That sounds like a painful way to learn! Although I didn't get hurt, I learned not to fvck around with electricity, even when related to a somewhat familiar field of computers. I think I just buy a power supply tester for the future