PC trips fuse for only one room when I play games

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GhostFaceCTC

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Mar 10, 2014
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So what happens is when I plug everything (PC, monitor) in to one outlet and turn it on and try to play graphically intense games (Shadow of Mordor, Dead Rising 3) the power to the whole room shuts off. Funny thing is that it works just fine for as long as I want in any other room so I know its not my PSU. I have a 600W power supply.

Im thinking it has something to do with the circuit for the room not being strong enough for my PSU.
I could be totally wrong though im not electrician

Anyone have any idea what might be going on?
How to fix it? (Upgrade fuse?, Cost?)

Also, Im fairly certain that Im probably using these electrical terms incorrectly XD
 
Solution
Solandri
Are you sure nothing else is drawing power in the room? I've seen people do silly things like plug in a 1500 Watt room heater, then complain when the breaker trips when they turn on the computer.

If nothing else is plugged in, then yeah this is a wiring issue. Most residential wiring circuit breakers are set to trip at about 1650 Watts. If yours is tripping at less than 1000 Watts, either you have a short somewhere in the wiring, or the electrician installed substandard circuit breakers (15 A breakers are standard for homes. 15 Amps * 110 Volts = 1650 Watts).

Look closer at the circuit breakers when you flip them back and see if they're marked 15 Amps. If they are and you have nothing else plugged in, then you likely have a...
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Sep 27, 2012
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The PSU rating is its OUTPUT; what it can supply to your parts. It will draw anywhere between 20w and ~700w from the wall, depending on what load the computer is under. (Because remember, it's not 100% efficient, so it has to accommodate for the fact that it's going to lose some energy to heat.)

The issue is not with the computer. It's an issue with the wiring, and a fairly serious one, since a computer shouldn't be causing that even if it draws 1000w. There's no way for us to psychically divine what the issue in your walls is, though - you'll need to get someone who knows wiring to look at it.
 
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Solandri

Solandri

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Jan 4, 2012
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Are you sure nothing else is drawing power in the room? I've seen people do silly things like plug in a 1500 Watt room heater, then complain when the breaker trips when they turn on the computer.

If nothing else is plugged in, then yeah this is a wiring issue. Most residential wiring circuit breakers are set to trip at about 1650 Watts. If yours is tripping at less than 1000 Watts, either you have a short somewhere in the wiring, or the electrician installed substandard circuit breakers (15 A breakers are standard for homes. 15 Amps * 110 Volts = 1650 Watts).

Look closer at the circuit breakers when you flip them back and see if they're marked 15 Amps. If they are and you have nothing else plugged in, then you likely have a wiring problem in the home and should call an electrician before it results in a fire. Another possibility is the breaker is defective - a licensed electrician will have to determine that.

If the breakers are less than 15 Amps, then you'll have to call an electrician to make sure the wiring is up to code, then swap out the substandard breaker for a 15 Amp breaker.
 
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GhostFaceCTC

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Mar 10, 2014
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The breaker on the fuse box that trips says 20a, 20 amps im assuming. But it works fine in the other rooms which also have a 20a breaker with a bunch of stuff plugged in including a pellet stove. When I try the PC in the room that trips the only thing that is plugged in is the PC and my TV. Its only a 2 year old home so maybe whoever wired it just messed it up?
 
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synphul

synphul

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Mar 11, 2011
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Another vote for a wiring issue. Is there a chance that another outlet used in the house is on the same circuit? Circuits aren't necessarily limited to one room, they can be wired any and every which way. Meaning it would be odd, but not impossible that one outlet clear at the other end of the house could be part of the bedroom circuit. Unlikely yes, but possible, yes. Even an electric heater (in the u.s. most if not all electric heaters are capped at 1500w for high setting). I have a similar setup, 20a circuits are not uncommon for basic household wiring. I'm able to run my pc on a seasonic 650w psu, a 1500w electric heater, 22" crt monitor, 32" lcd tv, overhead light, satellite tv box, dvd player, 5.1 surround sound for the tv, 2.1 speaker setup with powered sub, linksys router etc all on a 20a circuit no problem.

One thing you DONT want to do is just 'up' the circuit protection by replacing a 20a breaker with a 30a. Likely you have 12/2 house wiring which is pretty standard and that gauge wire is only rated for 20a. To go to 30a you need to change your wire size to 10/2, use a 30a breaker and your outlets should be rated for it. Running either 14/2 (15a) on a 20a breaker or 12/2 (20a) on a 30a breaker is a good way to start fires. It's tripping for a reason.

Maybe a wire issue, connection issue or an older/faulty breaker. You can try replacing the 20a breaker with a new 20a breaker. Just need to make sure it's the right type such as ch, br etc. for your electrical panel. Beyond that you may want to consider an electrician. Not just because it's inconvenient for your pc, but because there's obviously a bigger problem that can be a real safety issue.
 
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synphul

synphul

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Mar 11, 2011
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As an addition to any specific issues you may be having, be sure to take notice of any odd smells either burning plastic or a 'fishy' smell similar to fish food or a fishtank. To give a for instance, my place is much older and was using fuses instead of breakers. Had an issue with the fuses blowing for the kitchen circuit when just attempting to run things like the 1000w microwave. It took awhile for the issue to progressively become worse and take on a 'fishy' odor. Turns out one of the 60a main fuses coming into the home was slowly burning. Took out all the old fuse crap and replaced the main home panel with a 200a service panel and actual breakers. Everything is back to normal and no more constantly blowing the circuit. Damn near had an electrical fire due to failing parts (the fuse should have blown instead of burned).

Being that the house is so new, it could be something was wired improperly by accident or a loose connection either at the panel or the outlet. Loose connections can be cause for increased load/draw and arcing, also generating excessive heat. Sometimes new equipment (such as bus bars or outlets) may need additional tightening after handling current flow for awhile. Current running through newly installed/tightened connections have a tendency to 'loosen' a little.
 
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