PC project - Can I put my PSU outside my PC case?

kaaloo

Ive just finished a small project PC.

Nothing flash just a simple PC with mini motherboard that I have managed to build into a video player casing so I can use with my large screen TV for mulitmedia use. Looks really smart and didnt take too long.

BUT....I have a question!

I couldnt fit the PSU into the casing so it had to go external. Its completely out of sight and to the untrained eye, it just looks like a Hitachi Video recorder (the psu sits behind it in my cabinet and cant be seen)

Is this safe? I know PSU draws out hot air from the pc case but if all I have in there is a mobo and HDD, will the heatsink be sufficient?

Any tips and advice?

darkfibre

Can you make room for a little exhaust fan (or two) at the back of the device to expel the hot air?

I don't see why you can't have the PSU outside.

kaaloo

Funny you say that!!

Im sitting here riffling through my pc parts and I forgot what I was looking for!

Just read you post and it reminded me that I was looking for a small fan I pulled out of a DELL!

Cheers!

Dime_Bar

I would stick at least one fan in the case at least as I doubt it is well ventilated. As for the PSU outside the case not a problem its self as the generate as much heat as they dissapate. However if it is not made to be outside the case it may be worth cheacking for any parts of the body that get hot so you can ensure there is no risk of fire.

albertross_2

Is the PC Casing Earthed?

kaaloo

Dont know.

How will I know? How do I earth it?

As you can see I have basic knowledge!

albertross_2

With the power off at the wall, connect a multimeter on ohms or continuity tester between the chassis of the PC and the earth pin of the psu, if there is no reading, the casing isn't earthed.

It's not something I would do, especially if you don't live alone.

totalsolutions

why would you want to earth the pc case? No mains potential voltage present that would present a danger
Was that the case when it was a video?

kaaloo

totalsolutions wrote: »

why would you want to earth the pc case? No mains potential voltage present that would present a danger
Was that the case when it was a video?

it was a video

darkfibre

I think totalsolutions is just making the point as to why you have to earth your case now when there was no real danger when it was previously a video.

Personally, I don't think you need to earth it, but I may be wrong.

totalsolutions

Thanks darkfibre, The pc would be earthed by way of the mains cable connection to a terminal inside the power supply. This in turn has a good continuity from metal case to pc chassis. Any live wires or power comunicated to the metal case would be conducted to earth and not harm anyone, and causing a fuse to blow, further removing the live current. In a remote power supply the case would still be earthed but the new pc (video) case would not be. You tv is not earthed, either by the way.