On Apr 24, 2009, at 11:33 PM, Ernest L. Gunerius wrote:

>
>> On Apr 24, 2009, at 10:03 PM, Meghrouni Vince wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>  Does time unplugged diminish the voltage?
>>>
>>>  What should I look for to avoid?  I'm sure this may seem  
>>> obvious, but
>>>  it is not to me.
>>
>> I would suggest consulting an expert electrician ... and one that is
>> familiar with computer power supplies. The computer repair centers
>> sometimes will share info ... even the ones repairing those Windoze
>> machines ... I think most power supply's function the same ...
>> although there are different styles:
>> http://www.atxpowersupplies.com/
>>
>> Have you ever started plugging the power cord back into the back of
>> the computer, with the other end in an active power strip or wall
>> socket, and a NASTY spark jumps out to meet you? I believe that is
>> the capacitor(s) discharging. I do not know if this is a way to do
>> the deed or not ... I repeat, I do not know.
>>
>> Just more food for thought.
>>
>> Bill Connelly
>> artsite: http://mysite.verizon.net/moonstoneartstudio
>> myspace: http://www.myspace.com/moonstoneartstudio
>
> If you get a spark when plugging in a power supply that has been
> unplugged for at least 30 minutes it is  most likely the charging
> current recharging the Power Supply Input capacitors. The only
> Impedance to input current to the discharged capacitors is the Input
> Filter(if present), The Rectifiers and the series resistance(very
> small) of the Input Capacitors.
>
> Thus the turned off and discharged Power Supply looks like a short
> circuit to the line voltage and the initial Inrush current can be
> quite large and also decays to a small value rapidly as the Voltage
> on the Input Capacitors rises. As the Power supply begins to switch
> and produce the output voltages(3.3 volt, 5 volt,12 Volt) then an
> extra pulse of current is drawn to charge all the capacitors on those
> voltages in the Power Supply and the rest of the Computer.
>
> This all happens quite fast, typically about 2 tenths of a second.
>
> The Power Supply cannot discharge back through the Power Line. The DC
> Voltage is isolated from the Line by the Rectifiers.
>
> HTH,
>
> ErnieG


OIC. I thought it was discharging through Grounding. Possibly a fatal  
mistake ...

See ... better to ask a Pro!

Bill Connelly
artsite: http://mysite.verizon.net/moonstoneartstudio
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/moonstoneartstudio




--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed Low End Mac's G3-5 List, a 
group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on 
Power Macs.
The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette 
guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to 
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at 
http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list?hl=en
Low End Mac RSS feed at feed://lowendmac.com/feed.xml
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

Reply via email to