Computer shuts down everything in my room when turning on. Help.

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rollyfuentes

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Sep 3, 2013
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Okay so this is my first build and i already got my computer up and running, however, here's the catch:

If i try turning on my computer, all the lights in my room go out, including all electronics connected to the wall.
The only way to turn on my computer is my resetting the breaker switch in my house. I don't really know what the problem is, and i have a feeling it might be my power supply.

Build:
CPU Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core
CPU Cooler Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid
Motherboard Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150
Memory Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Storage Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" SSD
Video Card Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB
Case Cooler Master Storm Stryker (White) ATX Full Tower
Power Supply SeaSonic 650W ATX12V / EPS12V
Optical Drive Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
 
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rollyfuentes

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Sep 3, 2013
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Really? I never thought that overloading my breaker would ever be a problem. Is there anyway around this? Anything i could do?

 
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ram1009

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Jun 28, 2007
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Absolutely wrong!!! Most household circuits are 15 amps @120VAC and employ 14AWG wire. Simply putting a larger fuse (say 20 amp) in service without upgrading the wire to 12AWG is a good way to burn down your house and no qualified electrician would do this anyway. You don't say how many devices you have plugged into this circuit or what they are. If I were you I would buy an inexpensive clamp on ammeter and test all the devices for excess current draw. It is possible you simply have too many devices drawing too much current from the same circuit. If so, either move some of the devices elsewhere or don't use them simultaneously.
 
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rgd1101

rgd1101

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Nov 7, 2011
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That why I said pay an electrician, not do it yourselves, a qualified electrician should know what they are doing.
 
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ko888

ko888

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Feb 18, 2009
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Is the circuit for that room using an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) type breaker? If it is, then that's the cause of your problem. The large inrush current, that happens when the computer's power supply unit is turned on, will trip the breaker.

Try plugging the power supply unit into a house circuit that doesn't use an AFCI breaker.
 
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ram1009

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Your post implied (to me) that the problem could be solved from the circuit breaker panel and that's not true. In order to use a bigger CB new wire must be installed in the wall or run external to the wall in conduit.
 
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rgd1101

rgd1101

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I'm sorry that I didn't list all the possibility of what might be the problem.
 
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rollyfuentes

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Sep 3, 2013
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The only other things i have plugged in my room are my computer speakers(40 dollar Logitech ones), moniter and modem. Thats pretty much it. I never thought that i could trip the circuit with such few items.
 
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Wisecracker

Wisecracker

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Jan 15, 2007
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Wiring circuits traverse more than one room -- you need to find out what else is on that circuit.

If there is something like a window AC in another room, even if it is not a bedroom, it's possible it is on the same circuit as your bedroom. The common practice today is too keep wall outlets and lighting circuits separate.

Once you identify what is on your circuit you can either move the other load off of it, or find another circuit for your computer.

 
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ko888

ko888

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Feb 18, 2009
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The type of circuit breaker is what matters. As I've already said, an AFCI breaker will trip when you have a computer plugged into its circuit.

Current building codes require that an AFCI breaker be used for all circuits that are installed in bedrooms.

That's why I suggested that you try plugging in the computer on a circuit that uses a conventional circuit breaker and not on a circuit that uses an AFCI breaker.
 
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ram1009

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One more thing, circuit breakers do weaken with age.
 
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haynesr07

haynesr07

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Another room could be on the same breaker btw. My grandma's old house used to be like this and required us to move the modem and router which was a pain in the ass.

BTW best thing you can do temporarily is to unplug things you don't need. But my wife and I just bought our house and we have yet to have a breaker problem with current running through rooms. Especially my room with all the crap I have in there. My friend and I both play games in their (high-priced rigs) and nothing has yet to happen, thankfully. So I'm assuming it's your breaker.
 
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4Ryan6

4Ryan6

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Apr 14, 2002
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Your computer is just enough load to trip the outlet circuit at the power panel, this is a problem that should be investigated by a qualified electrician, all these assumptive argumentative suggestions above don't mean squat as they do not exactly know your situation.

This could lead to overheating of your wiring and cause your home to catch fire if you attempt to override the breaker or fuse in any way.

You can lower the load on the outlet line by finding out what all is plugged into that circuit and unplug everything except your computer, that's really all you instantly can do.

You need a qualified electrician to investigate your situation, and handle the work needed, if any wiring or box changes have to be made.

This advice to you is coming from an electrician.

 
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