Question Prongs on PSU connector got chipped and exposed the orange metal underneath ?

[Nebulardood23]

I made a post a few weeks ago about my Corsair RM750x PSU arcing and leaving scorch marks on the prongs. Learned it was the way I was plugging my PSU in that was causing it, and got told I should clean the marks off. Decided to do it today with some IPA 99% and Q-Tips.

Before I could even start, though, I noticed some of the protective layer on one of them somehow came off and exposes the orange metal underneath. Either it was from the arcing before and I never noticed, or plugging it in maybe I used to much force or something. Either way, is this gonna be an issue? I don't know what kind of material they use, but if it's copper it'll probably oxidize at some point. Will this damage the unit?

Edit: It's not a large exposed area either. Just a small circle spot near the front of the prong.

 

[Aeacus]

Will this damage the unit?

I'd say: No.

But for definitive answer, open support ticket via web assist on Corsair site and ask from Corsair directly.
Guide on how to do it: https://help.corsair.com/hc/en-us/a...o-I-get-a-replacement-for-a-defective-product

 

[Nebulardood23]

I'd say: No.

But for definitive answer, open support ticket via web assist on Corsair site and ask from Corsair directly.
Guide on how to do it: https://help.corsair.com/hc/en-us/a...o-I-get-a-replacement-for-a-defective-product

I'll reach out to them, but you think it's okay? What would happen if it DID oxidize?

 

[Aeacus]

What would happen if it DID oxidize?

Metal used in IEC C13/14 connectors is usually brass (copper and zinc alloy) and it does not react with oxygen on it's own. Now, if you add electrolyte (e.g water from humidity), then brass does oxidize. Brass develops a patina during oxidization onto itself, which is either greenish or brownish color. While oxidization is a form of corrosion, brass patina isn't like rust on iron and brass discoloration doesn't damage the underlying metal.

Maybe you've seen copper roofs/statues/coins when they are new, the look like shiny brown/gold, but over time and due to elements (e.g rain), copper surfaces turn into green.

So, if it even is oxidization, there would be no need to worry.

 

[Nebulardood23]

Metal used in IEC C13/14 connectors is usually brass (copper and zinc alloy) and it does not react with oxygen on it's own. Now, if you add electrolyte (e.g water from humidity), then brass does oxidize. Brass develops a patina during oxidization onto itself, which is either greenish or brownish color. While oxidization is a form of corrosion, brass patina isn't like rust on iron and brass discoloration doesn't damage the underlying metal.

Maybe you've seen copper roofs/statues/coins when they are new, the look like shiny brown/gold, but over time and due to elements (e.g rain), copper surfaces turn into green.

So, if it even is oxidization, there would be no need to worry.

That's awesome to hear! Googling it mentioned it could be brass or a form of bronze, but it also mentioned it could be normal copper, and to me the metal look orange so I got worried. I did use 99% IPA on it to clean (or at least try) the scorch marks, but that wouldn't cause oxidation right? It dries extremely quickly lol

 

[Aeacus]

I did use 99% IPA on it to clean (or at least try) the scorch marks, but that wouldn't cause oxidation right? It dries extremely quickly lol

For oxidization, it needs prolonged exposure to electrolytes. Copper corrodes faster than Brass, but it doesn't corrode within seconds when using isopropyl alcohol. Only thing that can corrode certain metals fast, is strong acid.

So, no need to worry about using IPA to clean metal surfaces.
E.g 90% pure (or higher grade) IPA is used to clean thermal paste off from CPU IHS (or from any die/coldplate in that matter).

 

[Nebulardood23]

I've also heard oxidization could cause resistance too, and possibly heat the PSU up. Is that true?

 

[Aeacus]

I've also heard oxidization could cause resistance too

That is true, since for electricity to flow, it would need "clean" metal-to-metal surface. Now, electricity can pass through corroded metal as well but it would increase the resistance. The thicker the corrosion layer is - the higher the resistance until electricity can't pass through it (too many air pockets inside the corrosion).

and possibly heat the PSU up

That won't happen. PSU has fan for active cooling.

But if you ask in terms of starving the power for PSU, then if anything, PSU runs cooler since it has less electricity to convert. But PSU may struggle to keep the DC rails within voltage specs until PSU completely stops converting AC to DC (not enough power to convert) and shuts down.

 

[Nebulardood23]

That is true, since for electricity to flow, it would need "clean" metal-to-metal surface. Now, electricity can pass through corroded metal as well but it would increase the resistance. The thicker the corrosion layer is - the higher the resistance until electricity can't pass through it (too many air pockets inside the corrosion).


That won't happen. PSU has fan for active cooling.

But if you ask in terms of starving the power for PSU, then if anything, PSU runs cooler since it has less electricity to convert. But PSU may struggle to keep the DC rails within voltage specs until PSU completely stops converting AC to DC (not enough power to convert) and shuts down.

Ah ok. So is it still fine if it corrodes a bit? I could clean it off with IPA I guess if it does, but I've never dealt with something like this before haha