HX 520 making clicking noise and not powering on

[optimusplaya]

My PSU is also making sounds. I have the 520w in a new system build and after hooking everything up it would not power on. I noticed that when the PSU switch is in the ON position and the power cord is plugged in, it makes a funny soft clicking sound when it's plugged into the motherboard (24v + 12v cords). When I disconnect the 24v + 12v cords from the motherboard, the soft clicking noise stops.

 

Not really sure what the problem is. I tried following that sticky note to perform the dirty test of running electricity through a paper clip and that did work to turn on the fans. Can't figure out why my new build won't come to life! Very frustrating.

[RAM GUY]

There are 2 possibilities. One is that the PSU is tripping the "Over Current Protection" or "Over Voltage Protection" due to an out of spec signal from the motherboard. The second possibility is that there may be a bad component in the PSU.

 

Before having the PSU replaced, if possible, you may want to test it in a known working system. If it gives you the same issues, we would definitely want to have it replaced, however if there are no problems in another system, you may want to RMA the board.

[optimusplaya]

Thanks for the speedy response RAM GUY! I guess I will just try to use the PSU in a friend's computer. Is the power supply is faulty, is there any risk that it would damage a friend's computer?

[optimusplaya]

RAM GUY - what is making that clicking noise? I know it's not the fan within the PSU because that's not even moving.

[RAM GUY]

It's hard to say with out seeing your system, but most likely something with the power coming into the system.

[optimusplaya]

I'm back :)

 

Okay so I tried putting a new PSU into the system and it still didn't turn on- case in point, it turned out to be the computer case that was causing all the problems. After installing the hardware into a new case, I flipped on the HX520watt and bam, everything worked great.

 

Still not sure why there was a small clicking noise but at this point I don't really care. Thanks for your help Ram Guy :biggrin:

[RAM GUY]

Sounds like there was a grounding issue with your previous case.

 

Here is a quote from a different thread, with a great explanation on the clicking you might be hearing.

 

What you're probably hearing is what's called "inductor whine". Inductors are coils of wire wrapped around a core and are used in the power supply to filter ripple and to store charge in a magnetic field.

 

When used in rectification circuits, the inductors often follow a switch that turns on and off many thousands of times per second. Relatively high currents are involved, and when those high currents switch on and off quickly, the magnetic field created by the current flowing through the inductor builds up and collapses very quickly as well.

 

The rapid build-up and collapse of the magnetic field interacts with the current flowing through the wire that creates the field, and the force resulting from that interaction can cause the wire to move if it's not wrapped tightly enough. The wire vibrating against the core or against other windings is what you're hearing.

 

It's not a real problem except for the noise it creates. Often the noise will get worse with higher loads, and can sometimes go away as the coil heats up and the wire expands slightly. If you can find the coil that's making the noise you can often "fix" it by putting a drop of cyanoacrylate glue on it and waiting a day.

 

If you would like to have the unit replaced, we would have no problem doing it for you. You can use the On Line RMA Request Form and we will be happy to replace it.