Is using a jumper to run two power supplies dangerous?

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redman223

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Meaning, can I (or more importantly, anyone else) get electrocuted from it if the metal jumper is touched while the computer is running?
 
redman223 said:
Meaning, can I (or more importantly, anyone else) get electrocuted from it if the metal jumper is touched while the computer is running?
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Metal jumper? Just use a piece of insulated wire bared only at the ends...
 
I think that he is talking about the paper clip method. If you have any electrical tape hanging around just rap the paper clip up in it and leave a mm or 2 untaped at both ends. I don't think that you could but it might be possible (likely <1% ?).
 
Yeah I'm not very educated in the ways of electricity, so I assume everything could electrocute me. I'll wrap it up in electrical tape just to be safe.
 
redman223 said:
Meaning, can I (or more importantly, anyone else) get electrocuted from it if the metal jumper is touched while the computer is running?
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ur talking about the remote power wire that is green? u won't feel a thing. too low of a voltage
 
ALL4AMD said:
ur talking about the remote power wire that is green? u won't feel a thing. too low of a voltage
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Like to add to that "too low a voltage to overcome the electrical resistance of your skin", just to be clear :D
 
For a noob...What is the "paperclip method" and what is the OP referring to by jumpering powersupplies?
 
brokenarrow03 said:
For a noob...What is the "paperclip method" and what is the OP referring to by jumpering powersupplies?
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If you short certain pins of the ATX connector of a power supply (with a paperclip, or the like), you simulate the command the motherboard sends to turn the power supply on. If you're running a second PSU, they can't both be plugged in to the motherboard at once, and so you need some method to get a 'switch on' signal to the second PSU.
 
I have to do it because when I started running SLI the computer would turn off when playing games. I plugged in a second power supply and had no luck, then I seen the sticky at the top of this board and showed the paper clip method. Looks terrible, but works great. I sure can't afford an 1100w power supply at the moment, so its easier to run a cheaper supply to help out the other one.
 
The green wire is a ground and the black is a very low voltage line that will start the PSU when grounded. You cannot easily get shocked from it.


One thing to watch out for is make sure to use a WIRE not a paper clip if you are going to do this long term. Some paper clips will heat up and could cause issues because of the heat (same with small gauge wire).
 
Grentz said:
One thing to watch out for is make sure to use a WIRE not a paper clip if you are going to do this long term. Some paper clips will heat up and could cause issues because of the heat (same with small gauge wire).
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The uninsulated-ness and not latched in place-edness of the paper clip is more of an issue than anything else. Something could possibly touch it and create a short... or it can jostle loose and when it falls out it can create a short.

Looking at the wiring on my power supply to molex connector cables, they're not as thick as a paper clip, so current capacity is not an issue with a paper clip, even IF it were carrying POWER to peripherals. But since it's not even carrying current for POWER, it's just supplying a POWER ON signal which should have a huge ass resistance on it already, the current capacity of the paper clip isn't the issue.
 
Why would one use a paper clip for this? It doesn't sound safe or sound like it would look to pretty. It isn't hard to rig up a toggle switch using 2 pieces of wire...

With that, if you wanted to get really fancy, you could install it in the front of your case. Making things prettier and safer.

/2cents
 
Grentz said:
The green wire is a ground and the black is a very low voltage line that will start the PSU when grounded. You cannot easily get shocked from it.
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You got that backward, black is the ground, green is the power.
 
If you look on Ultra's web site, they have a plug that lets you hook up 2 power supplies. That way you don't have to worry about damaging anything.
 
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