Avoiding Short Circuit - Adjusting Internals With PSU Attached

[Adam B]

Hello!

I have recently just built my first computer, and I was very precautious, and avoided ESD, and the other mishandling risks.

The computer has been running well for a week and a half (I'm using it now!), but I want to go back into the case and make some changes.

My fear is my 850 Watt Power Supply...

I know that the capacitors inside the PSU still hold a charge after being unplugged. With that, I assume that if I touch a component while my PSU is plugged in, I could short a circuit, correct?

I notice that I can hit the power button once for a short second of LED flicker after my PSU is unplugged, and it only works once, so is this enough to completely discharge the PSU?

Am I to disconnect the cables from the PSU, or the components, before touching anything?

I really love this computer, and I do not want to ruin it!

Basically, I am asking for the proper procedures to safely touch components in a computer (while wearing an ESD band, of course) after it has been recently ran, with a PSU still attached.


Thank you for your help,

Adam B

 

[Eximo]

I don't recommend that discharge procedure, but yes that should drain all the power in the capacitors.

Even if you don't, the capacitors will hold a charge, but a switching power supply won't let any of that through to the wires once it has been shut off and unplugged. Many newer supplies also use the internal fan to drain the capacitors down, as well as to ensure the powersupply is still being cooled, at least for a while, after the power has been turned off.