power supply and case question..

[azman66]

Do i need to use rubber washers between my power supply and my case? Is it necessary? Required?

 

[Kain]

If the PSU is very noisy, it might be a good idea. Other than that, it's unneeded.

 

[category_five]

I don't know, but I'm thinking the PSU connected to the case would provide a ground for other componants? I know that some motherboard spacers have a screws that connect to metal connectors on the motherboard, if this is provided as a ground I think it would need some path to the PSU chassis? Nevermind - answer to my own question: if it is neccesary the path is provided via the back of the case where the PSU connects flush to the rear panel. Rubber washers away!

 

[Ice Czar]

I'm thinking the PSU connected to the case would provide a ground for other componants?

correct, however in these days of painted cases and supplies....

cut and paste from the
ESD & Electromigration Rant


ESD Precautions and Practices
The ATX motherboard specification maintains +5VSB power to the motherboard
unlike PC/XT, AT, Baby AT and LPX form factors that employed a manual switch to turn on the power to the motherboard, the ATX form factor employs a "soft power" scheme
allowing software control of power, allowing the OS or other ap to turn the computer off, it also allows wake on LAN or Wake on WAN. Since there is a low level of power supplied to the board at all times, you need to address this whenever your swapping out components

the ideal solution is to unplug the power supply from the socket then ground the case with an alligator clip to a seperate ground point and use a wristrap to ground you

the alternative method is to turn off the PSU with its own switch
reliable only if the board has a 5VSB LED indicator on it
at which point you know the board is unpowered, yet the case is still grounded via the AC Socket

the alternative method if there is no switch on the PSU and LED mobo power indicator is to unplug the PSU from the wall socket, then disconnect the main power connector and plug the PSU back into the AC Socket, where once again you have the case grounded

Keep in mind that typically the PSU physically contacts the case with a metal to metal contact, at least in the past, and would have at least some contact via the screws, but these days with painted cases and supplies, some augment that with a grounding strap for the PSU itself (very typical in server supplies where they take no chances with contact)

and religously touch a bare metal surface in the case to ground yourself when swapping componets (this is very typical in here with enthusiasts)
but all in all wristraps are cheap and so are alligator clips and a bit o wire
a grounded work pad is also a good investment, as is being aware of how large a role the lack of humidity has in ESD events, especially in Winter when hot air heating desiccates the moisture out of the air

(see I live on the Rocky Mountain High Dessert Plateau, where its already dry and in Winter with central home heating I humidify the environment when working on components)

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you likely wont gain alot with rubber washers, but it wont hurt provided you add a grounding strap, get some of those star like locking washers that will cut through the paint if any for a good contact to the case

adding rubber mounts to the fan in the enclosure likely would do more
(same with your other fams and HDDs and sound absorbant material in the case ect