Circuit Breaker Tripping - not sure where to ask this.

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JenniferL

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#28734 9-Dec-2008 21:03

I hope someone here can help, I've tried googling but and not sure if i'm using the wrong terminology to find a solution.

I just moved into an apartment building from an old villa and have tried to plug in my computer.
With the back of the computer turned off and the computer plugged into a surge board I turn the surge board on and the mains circuit break trips.

I had no problems with the computer before I moved, no overloading and the surge board isn't cutting out - the entire mains switch goes.

My flatmate thinks it could be to do with the wires inside my computer - I built it myself and there are a lot of wires floating around in there.
Is there a way I can 'ground' these wires or the computer which would stop this from tripping the mains?

I am rather confused why this is tripping off the mains. Does anyone have any clue?
I have a 12v power supply, I picked out a fairly high one hoping it would avoid problems down the line.

I really appreciate it if anyone can help. Sorry if this isn't really the place, I'm not sure if it's a computer or and electrical thing.

Cheers.

Jennifer

sbiddle

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#183150 9-Dec-2008 21:24

What is actually tripping - a standard MCB (circuit breaker) or an RCD?

Does anything else trip this if you plug it in or is it only your computer? What else is plugged into the same cuircuit? Does the same thing happen if you remove everything else and only try the computer?

n00dy

482 posts

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#183154 9-Dec-2008 21:30

1st I would suggest run an extention cord from a different room, kitchen would be a good choice, plug the cord into the computer & see if it still pops the fuse, if it does try with out the surge protector. Fuses pop if they are overloaded, ie. it is rated say 16 amps and there are too many devices running throuh that circiut, the fuse may pop, it could be that the fuse is faulty, try swapping it with a fuse of the same rating, (most house hold power point fuses are 16 amps) the other reason will be a faulty surge protector or power supply of the computer

wellygary

8321 posts

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#183160 9-Dec-2008 21:42

What happens when you plug your computer straight into the wall socket?

Being a newer building you may find that that all the circuits running off the main switchboard are protected by an RCD ( residual current device)in the switchboard, (we have just done a villa up, and everything is protected)

I would guess that you may have a wire that is crossing to earth somewhere?, you are probably going to have to open the machine up and do some wire chasing......

Bung

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#183178 9-Dec-2008 22:22

wellygary:

I would guess that you may have a wire that is crossing to earth somewhere?, you are probably going to have to open the machine up and do some wire chasing......

This computer was presumably running elsewhere. The output wiring mess is unlikely to be the fault.

The chances are that the surge board MOVs are allowing enough leakage to trip the apartment RCD.

JenniferL

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#183258 10-Dec-2008 09:14

I have tried the computer directly into the socket, I tried it in the other area of the apartment and it switched the other breaker.

It switches the main breaker rather than one of the small ones. I'm not at home at the moment but will have a look and post up more details about these later.

- The fridge is plugged into the same circuit as my first attempts but we tried turning everything off and testing it, it still flicked the breaker.

Nothing else has caused the breaker to trip so I'm sure it's the computer. The really odd thing is I'm not even trying to turn the computer ON and it trips.

I'm guessing it could be a problem with the power supply in the computer. However there were no problems at my old place (unless it was damaged in the move)

Bung - my flatmate thought a 'leakage' would be the cause for tripping the mains (I wouldn't think it was an overload because I never had problems at my old place) - can anyone suggest a way to reduce a 'leakage' - my main concern is there are a number of wires from the power supply inside the computer that arent connected to anything - could these be causing the problem.

Thanks so much for the help so far.

wellygary

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#183267 10-Dec-2008 09:33

JenniferL:

I'm guessing it could be a problem with the power supply in the computer. However there were no problems at my old place (unless it was damaged in the move)

Bung - my flatmate thought a 'leakage' would be the cause for tripping the mains (I wouldn't think it was an overload because I never had problems at my old place) - can anyone suggest a way to reduce a 'leakage' - my main concern is there are a number of wires from the power supply inside the computer that arent connected to anything - could these be causing the problem.

Thanks so much for the help so far.

Your old place probably had a power supply that was either using actual fuses, or older circuit breakers ( both of which were possibly more tolerant to leakage than your new place)

Having wires from the power supply not connected to anything inside you computer is not a problem provided that the wires are terminated properly in plastic sockets and are not just bare wires.

The Fact that it is tripping even in the off state tendd to make me think that there is an issue with the power supply in the Computer.

tonyhughes

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#183275 10-Dec-2008 10:06

Replace power supply. Double check that all wiring and plugs are secure. Replace your computer power cable.

Did you eliminate the "surge board" from the mix and still have trouble? If not, try plugging that directly (sorry it was mentioned before, but I didnt spot an answer).

Don't mess with any 240v stuff (other than replacing your PSU, cable, surge board), and if you are unsure about anything inside the PC case, post pictures (you will need to host them somewhere first), or consult a PC repair shop.

The equipment thats shutting off (i.e. the circuit breaker) is detecting a fault that could potentially be lethal, but as long as you dont do anything crazy you will be fine.

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Bung

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#183278 10-Dec-2008 10:22

JenniferL:
I have tried the computer directly into the socket, I tried it in the other area of the apartment and it switched the other breaker.

It switches the main breaker rather than one of the small ones. I'm not at home at the moment but will have a look and post up more details about these later.

That main breaker will be the RCD. This is detecting a difference in the currents in Phase and Neutral indicating a leakage to Earth.
If you have ruled out the surge board, the only other thing is the input to the computer power supply. Replacing the PSU is the only economic way to go, maybe your one is still under warranty.

JenniferL

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#183309 10-Dec-2008 12:42

Bung:
JenniferL:
I have tried the computer directly into the socket, I tried it in the other area of the apartment and it switched the other breaker.

It switches the main breaker rather than one of the small ones. I'm not at home at the moment but will have a look and post up more details about these later.

That main breaker will be the RCD. This is detecting a difference in the currents in Phase and Neutral indicating a leakage to Earth.
If you have ruled out the surge board, the only other thing is the input to the computer power supply. Replacing the PSU is the only economic way to go, maybe your one is still under warranty.

I'm quite sure there are no loose wires, everything has plastic plugs on the end so it must be the PSU.

I bought my case with a power supply included
500W ATX Power Supply (20+4pin Design)

Would it be best to buy and install a new power supply or would I need to overhall and get a new case (RAIDMAX O2 PURE COLOR MID-TOWER CASE (PINK) http://pcpacific.net/product_info.php?products_id=2661) - didn't buy product from this store but here's a link

If my power supply is under warrant how would I go about getting a replacement? I bought my bits and pieces from a few online stores and I wonder if they would deal with the fault or if I need to go direct to the manufacter, and if so would i deal with the entire case or just the power supply?

JenniferL

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#184468 16-Dec-2008 11:13

I just thought I would post an update in case anyone looks over this thread in the future with the same problem.

I have fixed the problem and everything is fine after a bit of hassle.

I assumed it was the PSU that was faulty so bought a new one to test. Same problem.

Went to the warehouse and bought a $10 power cable - the last thing that could be causing the problem. FIXED.

Lesson learnt; buy the cheaper equipment first when testing for the problem.

:-)