New PC trips circuit breaker. Old one didn't.

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remxed

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Feb 4, 2016
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I just built a new PC to replace my old one:


  • Intel Pentium G3258
    MSI B85M-G43 LGA 1150
    CORSAIR RMx Series RM550X 550W
    Ballistix Sport 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 1600
    Cooler Master Silencio 352

The only reused components are my SSD and HDD:

  • 120gb Corsair SSD
    1TB WD Black

Everything works smoothly for a few hours and suddenly the circuit breaker for the room trips and I have to reset it. I then have to also reset the CMOS for the motherboard because the boot order gets messed up and my keyboard doesn't work, so I can't access the BIOS/boot menu.

My old PC used an Antec 500W power supply and never had this issue. I have 2 LCD monitors, cable modem, and wireless router plugged into the same surge protector as the PC. My circuit breaker is rated for 20 Amps. I don't think it needs to be replaced since this problem never occurred with my old PC.

The only thing I can think of that may be causing this is that I forgot to install one motherboard standoff on the lower right corner. Lastly, it could be due to faulty hardware. But I haven't read any reviews online regarding this PSU tripping the circuit breaker.

I just wanted to get some feedback here if there is anything else that I'm missing before I take everything apart to install that last standoff.

Thanks!
 
Solution
Tradesman1
Try the rig in another room on a different breaker and see if it trips it there, if so it could well be the rig. And if one of the standoffs is missing it can well be shorting on the case, one short to many and you start frying components
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maxwellmelon

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Oct 2, 2013
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My circuit breaker is rated for 20 Amps ok and besides your computer what else is on that breaker as most people have more then just there computer on a breaker.

550watts is 5 amps just for pc
prob 300 watts for two monitors so that's another 2.5 amps
cable modem and router prob draw another 1 amp so your pc setup alone is using about 10-11 amps after you figure in efficiency loss of power converters.

then add in lighting, clocks, phones, everything else electrical thats on that breaker and it can easly cross 20 amps then breaker shuts off to protect your house from burning down.

the only other possibility is the circuit breaker has gone bad and is cutting off at a lower then its rated value. if you add up all your devices and think this is the case consult a licensed electrician to look into it.

most likely your just trying to use to much stuff at once.
 
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remxed

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Feb 4, 2016
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Thanks for your reply.

I also have a printer, fax machine, microscope (for work), and desk lamp in the room.

Normally, I would question if I'm running too much stuff on that breaker, but I previously had almost the same exact setup with my old PC for many years without this problem ever occurring.

So that's why I'm a bit confused. My next step is to bring the computer to another room and run it for a while to rule out any problems with hardware.

Outside of overloading the breaker, do you think this could be an issue with the power strip?

UPDATE

I tried testing the circuit breaker by moving my microwave and electric kettle into the room and running both at the same time from the same power strip as my PC for about 2 minutes.

Together, they are >2000 watts appliances. The circuit breaker did not trip.

Now, I'm kind of running out of ideas short of are PC hardware problem. Anyone have any input? Thanks.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Jun 5, 2013
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Try the rig in another room on a different breaker and see if it trips it there, if so it could well be the rig. And if one of the standoffs is missing it can well be shorting on the case, one short to many and you start frying components
 
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Solution
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maxwellmelon

Splendid
Oct 2, 2013
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I find it hard to be a short unless its in the PSU itself as that PSU has short circuit protection (of course in only monitors the psu outputs it cannot detect PSU input stage issues). and short circuit protection in a psu activates a lot faster then a circuit breaker ever could.

so unless its a short inside the PSU itself. Bad PSU mabe?

also you can do the math if you like. 100 watts on 120 volt line (single breaker) is .83 amps

so 20 amps can support 2400 watts at its limit. you can read your labels and add them all up.

and remember that 550watt psu can actually use up to about 600-620 watts when its is providing that 550watts to its output, though I don't think your build is using that much power.
 
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tondraj

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Dec 16, 2016
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Did you ever figure out what was causing your computer to trip the breaker? I'm having this exact same issues with my new PC on an AFCI breaker and was wondering if you ever figured this out. I'm about to replace my PSU even though it's brand new.
 
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