Broken wire on PSU

[JW The Computer Guy]

I got a PSU from a computer that ran perfectly normal, no problems at all, when i opened the case i noticed a wire had come free from the ATX connector (at the end where two wires go into one socket thing), however the machine was still running normally, do you think the PSU is still safe to use?, its probably been running like this for years.

I attached some pictures.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Hi JW. My personal thoughts.. I would change the psu. Simply explain to the customer, that for safety reasons it required a new one. They dont cost much these days.

I'm not quite sure what the v / w, is from the orange wire, but it is possible imo, that the bare wire could touch the case, causing a short, and a possible electric shock. Worst case scenario that is. I'm not a electrical expert my any means, but to me sounds plausable. Even if I am shot down in flames for my thinking lol.

 

[JW The Computer Guy]

Hi JW. My personal thoughts.. I would change the psu. Simply explain to the customer, that for safety reasons it required a new one. They dont cost much these days.

I'm not quite sure what the v / w, is from the orange wire, but it is possible imo, that the bare wire could touch the case, causing a short, and a possible electric shock. Worst case scenario that is. I'm not a electrical expert my any means, but to me sounds plausable. Even if I am shot down in flames for my thinking lol.

Actually the computer was given to me for free by a neighbour a week ago, I've been using it ever since, I was actually going to put it in my machine, until I saw the wire.

 

[Styxbound]

Loose wire

Why not just figure out where the wire goes and put it back? Don't mean to be snotty but it just seems routine to me. Aren't we supposed to be techs here?

 

[Larry Sabo]

If the PC works fine with it not connected, just cut the bare portion off and tape the loose end (including any exposed wire) to the other wires near the connector. Reconnecting it to the original pin can be a pain, because the pins are not easily removed.

 

[JW The Computer Guy]

Why not just figure out where the wire goes and put it back? Don't mean to be snotty but it just seems routine to me. Aren't we supposed to be techs here?

I've never soldered before.

 

[Vicenarian]

Power supply pinouts here:

http://attachments.techguy.org/attachments/125004d1201387916/20-pin-atx-pinout.gif

http://attachments.techguy.org/attachments/92851d1164669583/atx-psu-standard-20-pin.gif

http://www.smps.us/atx-connector-20-24pin.jpeg

I guess you just need to find out what the 3.3v is used for on the computer? I would imagine it's important...but yeah...

 

[JW The Computer Guy]

The main reason why i posted this is for safety and im out of PSU's this is my last one. Need to buy more!

 

[Styxbound]

Power supplies

Hey, that's some nice pin diagrams you have there, Vicenarian_easy for an old fogy to read. Thanks for posting those.