Computer trips breaker when turning on

[heiso]

I am not sure if this is the correct category to post in.

Sometimes, when I turn on my computer or wake it from its sleep, the breaker trips. At first, I thought it was because it drew too much power but my brother also got a computer and his never trips. We are in two different rooms but same switch. I would say 70% of the time, it's okay but the other 30%, it trips, which means I'll have to run down to the basement, flick the switch and try again. One time, I had to do it 5 times before the computer started.

My PSU is 600 - 650 W, I don't remember how much. Besides the PSU, what else could be causing this?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Make and model of PSU?

 

[gangrel]

Generally, I'd say it shouldn't be happening, so the first question is, what else is running on that breaker? You're only talking 6 amps; there's no way this should trip a breaker by itself...but it could if there's a lot of other stuff. Second thing would be whether the breaker should be replaced.

 

[heiso]

As far as I know, only our two rooms are on the same switch. We have lamps and heaters plugged into our outlets but they are rarely turned on. I had bought my computer in June and it has been happening ever since so I thought the computer was drawing too much power. Then my brother also bought a computer this month but his isn't tripping so I'm guessing it can't be the outlet.

Would a faulty component be causing this? I'll replace the breaker whenever I have the time but other than that, I don't know.

 

[Tradesman1]

Check the outlet, it may be miswired, run into it all the time. Can get a outlet tester at a hardware store, WalMart or many place (about $5, plug it in and most have three possible lights, depending on which light up a legend on the tester will let you know if correct, no ground, hot/neutral reversed, etc

 

[gangrel]

There's a simpler check for that.

Try plugging it into a different outlet.

Along the same lines...to check the breaker, try moving the PC to a radically different area and plug it in there.

 

[Tradesman1]

Would still be a good idea to check the outlet, is wired wrong can start a fire 😉

 

[heiso]

Make and model of PSU?

Sorry I missed this.

SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze EVO Edition 520W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Oh, it's 520 W.

I have tried two outlets. Different breaker switches. Still the same result.

 

[gangrel]

OK, well that pretty much says it's not wiring, it's something after the wall. For completeness...if you've got a UPS or power strip, test without them. I assume you've probably already done that. Next up would be the power supply. Are you overloading it at startup, somehow? The start-up draw can be substantial. And it could be that the power supply's bad. But I'd check online with a site that will report your total system draw, and if you're running close, the start-up load could easily be the issue.

 

[heiso]

^ Sorry, I'm not that tech-savvy. Can you explain? UPS, power strip, overloading?

It most likely is the startup because once I can turn the computer on, it's fine.

 

[gangrel]

UPS...uninterrupted power supply. Power strip...buncha sockets, usually with some built in surge suppressor. Basically...anything between your wall socket and the computer power supply.

 

[heiso]

I have concluded that it has something to do with the computer and not the wiring or powerstrips. After consideration, I have decided to get a new PSU. Can anyone recommend one? Preferably modular. This is my build.

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/zdJ2Jx

 

[heiso]

Just an update.

So I sent the PSU back for RMA and received another one but it still trips! Here's the thing though... My computer is in my bedroom which uses the AFCI breaker (the one with the green test button). It does not, however, trip on other breakers (GFCI, I'm guessing). My brother shares the same AFCI breaker though and his does not trip. What gives? Changing the AFCI breaker will be my next solution but if that doesn't work, then I think I will have to buy another PSU. I just don't want to drop money on it before I know for sure.

 

[mjslakeridge]

What happens when you plug something else (that draws a lot of power) into that AFCI breaker? I would suspect it is something with the wiring or breaker itself and not the PSU, since you have replaced that.

 

[heiso]

Well my brother also has a computer on the same circuit as me. His doesn't trip. I think his PSU is ~600W compared to my 520W. I forgot to mention that when I plug into the non-AFCI outlets, the lights flicker a bit. Could it be that my power supply is drawing too much power at start up?

 

[Bearmann]

Well, you could switch PSUs with your brother to see if some other component in the computer is contributing. I profess to have no knowledge about these things, but based on this article, maybe you should try unplugging other devices on that same circuit, even if they are powered off, to see if they might be contributing:

http://www.familyhandyman.com/electrical/breaker-box/fix-a-sensitive-arc-fault-circuit-breaker/view-all