Is it safe to open a dead PSU?

[Justn]

So my 6 year old Corsair VS450 died (Yeah I know its a cr@p PSU but I was 12 year old when I made that purchase). From the back exhaust vent I can see something with TNY177PN printed on it with a hole in it. Probably that's what failed (there was smell and audible bang when it happened, all components are safe)

So coming to the question, is it safe to open that PSU? I really wanna click some pics of it to maybe educate people why not to cheap out on PSUs. The PC tower is sitting idly since more than 24 hours without anything connected to it.

 

[Rdslw]

Yes feel free. PSU box is just another piece of metal, if its busted, just make sure you have no power on box or no power at all.

 

[Justn]

Yes feel free. PSU box is just another piece of metal, if its busted, just make sure you have no power on box or no power at all.

Thanks! I was worried about caps still holding some charge but I doubt they'll hold for more than 24 hours, especially considering the PSU is dead.

 

[DRagor]

Caps can indeed hold charge - even indefinitely if you somehow not discharge them, so it is not safe to open PSU, even dead one.

 

[Justn]

Caps can indeed hold charge - even indefinitely if you somehow not discharge them, so it is not safe to open PSU, even dead one.

Even if it violently died and I removed everything connected to PC and tried turning on the system to dissipate any remaining charge?

 

[DRagor]

I'm not electrician, so can't offer you details - it can be done safely IF you know what to do and how. But since you asked if it is safe, I assume you are neither electrician so you don't know how to do it. So my advise would be find a professional who can do it safely or leave it. Not worth getting electrocuted just for education.

 

[Justn]

I'm not electrician, so can't offer you details - it can be done safely IF you know what to do and how. But since you asked if it is safe, I assume you are neither electrician so you don't know how to do it. So my advise would be find a professional who can do it safely or leave it. Not worth getting electrocuted just for education.

Thanks! I figured as long I don't touch any of the components inside and hold the PSU by its outer casing, everything should be fine so I did open it. Here's a photo if you're interested.

https://imgur.com/SJgasdx

 

[antishill]

I suppose if you wear thick rubber gloves with no tears any where, you might be safe to touch those high voltage capacitors. But the fact that you are asking this question means you are not qualified and although 99.999% of the time, people open up the PSU techs and layman and never get shocked from touching the wrong stuff, we can NOT tell you it is safe for you, because you can be the one to earn the Darwin award.

 

[mjslakeridge]

Looks like it may have been a diode that burned up. Just to be safe don't go poking around in there.