Teeth

[Behemot]

I am finding these teeth on input side of all newer PSUs lately. Is that for breaking lightning etc. when it comes inside?

And as for as I am seeing in only on newer designs, on the other hand in all of them, incl. very crapy ones, is that some new EU regulation or stuff?

[Evil Lurker]

Re: Teeth

WTH are u talking about?

Pics would help.

[Behemot]

Re: Teeth

Like this:

p ►◄ g
h ►◄ r
a ►◄ o
s ►◄ u
e ►◄ n
. ►◄ d

[Rulycat]

Re: Teeth

Think I'll need a picture.

[Behemot]

Re: Teeth

Well I guess if you dont know how the lightning breakers work, you won't be able to answer me

Here U have whole crap of it:

[joshnz]

Re: Teeth

I call them spark gaps they are designed to arc if the voltage goes to high.

[ben7]

Re: Teeth

Ah LOL yeah, I was like WTF at the beginning, then.. oh yeah those!

Yeah they are some sort of spark gap. It seems strange to have them next to the PCB, (although it is cheaper) cuz when there is a spark the phenolic material would just carbonize, and form a conductive path...doesn't sound so good lol

[everell]

Re: Teeth

That looks like a Fortron power supply with active power factor correction circuit. Maybe it is to protect the APFC circuit.

[budm]

Re: Teeth

Can we see the top side of the board?

[Behemot]

Re: Teeth

Yes, it is FSP, GLC platform. Found in BlueStorm II and many oem designs.

The thingy is, as I said, I found it even in el'cheapo Eurocase, if you are familiar with this brand. So it just went onto my mind whether it is not another norm in EU. You know, to protect customer and stuf. Cause this is how lightning breakers work, right.

[b700029]

Re: Teeth

They might be more for ESD than sustained high-current faults.

[tom66]

Re: Teeth

They are across the inductors because if you interrupt or introduce current through an inductor quickly you'll generate a high voltage. That is the "crackling" sound you sometimes hear when you plug power in.