Can capacitors that blow injure me?

[mantralord]

I keep my PC without the side panel on my desk, two feet from my face...The capacitors do seem to be swelling and bulging on my Epox 8RDA+, and they might blow any time soon. If a capacitor decides to blow, is there a chance it could splash hot acidic electrolytic fluid onto my face and scar me for life? Gosh, I feel like an Indian woman...

[Topcat]

Ummm... First I'd recap it (or have it recapped), and then put the side back on. If the caps are bulged, they've already dried out, so you won't have to worry about electolyte. It won't really harm you anyway if you wash it off in a reasonable amount of time... If your skin in sensative, I guess it could cause a rash or irritate your skin. Your eyes would be the main concern having your face near it... (I'm trying to type this without laughing, but I'm sure a few have wondered about this)... If you question the functionality of a device, I certainly wouldn't have it close to your face. While the likelyhood of a cap exploding or projecting anything is extremely unlikely, it could happen... If you install an electrolytic with the polarity backwards, it will vent (unless it's a bipolar)....

Here's a way to eliminate any fear of this: POWER DOWN THE SYSTEM BEFORE REMOVING THE COVER!!!! A cap without power will not vent or explode, PERIOD! If you're experimenting or working with an electronic device, always use safety goggles!

[mantralord]

Actually, most of the caps have already leaked the electrolytic fluid from the top...the motherboard is still running fine...although I should really get those caps replaced. I have a (slightly inferior) backup motherboard so I'm not in dire threat of having my computing eliminated or anything.

I'm actually trying to save up to buy brand new top of the line components to replace ALL my hardware, sans the mouse and my l337 fUNC mousepad. Ya know...I'm a little paranoid, I don't really want the hardware from my current rig kinda like..."spreading their diseases (if any)" onto the newer hardware, so I plan to upgrade all at once. Even this god-forsaken 10 year old Viewsonic monitor. And this Microsoft keyboard. I read somewhere that "90% of computer problems exist between the monitor and the chair," so the Microsoft keyboard is to blame. Damn Microsoft.

Also, I learned from the doctor today that I have acid reflux disease, which is very linked to my nerves. I read on this site that when capacitors blow, they might sound like firecrackers. I celebrate the 4th of July every year with highly illegal and explosive fireworks, so I can tell you that firecrackers are loud, and that my rockets are responsible for some of Florida's "accidental" wildfires...

Now, if one of those things blow, it could startle me enough to make me vomit and spew the acidic contents from the ghetto of my stomach onto my precious PC components, thus melting them down into the primordial goo in which they rose from. I don't believe they are functional that way.

Oh well, I guess an extreme person like me that likes side-panels removed from PC's has to endure a certain danger level...it's part of the job. By the way, I'm afraid of bees and wasps.

[kc8adu]

then dont go here http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~chriseng/m01_hi.wmv

[Topcat]

then dont go here http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~chriseng/m01_hi.wmv

UHGG KC8... I'm not afraid of bees and wasps, but that was creepy... HEH...

[mantralord]

Sure, the hornets can take on a honeybee nest, but they're no match for a nuclear bomb...