User Creates DIY 12VHPWR Cable Fire Protection
Reddit user with the nickname malcanore18 presented a unique modification of the 12VHPWR connector, designed to connect powerful video cards like GeForce RTX 4090. After his personal experience with a melted connector, he decided not to rely on the official versions of manufacturers, which claim that “the problem occurs due to a loose connection.” Instead, he implemented hardware protection system with six separate fuses, built into each of the active power lines.
In his opinion, the real problem is too high current for thin contacts in the new 12-pin connector. When overloaded, these pins become the weak link, overheating and causing the connector to melt. In the homemade design, each of the six active wires passes through a miniature fuse, which breaks the circuit when the permissible current is exceeded.
If one of them trips, the load is redistributed among the remaining ones, causing them to burn out in a cascade. As the author explains, in the worst case, he will lose 6 cheap fuses, but avoid costly video card repairs - and potential firesHe stresses that this is not a solution for every day, but an effective way of temporary protection until reliable standards appear.
The 12VHPWR connector has been the subject of much discussion since it began to appear reports of fires and damage RTX 4090, even if tightly connected. Despite the manufacturers' claims that the problem has been "solved", cases of overheating continue to be recorded. In such a situation, the modification suggested by the user is of interest to enthusiasts and may become a temporary alternative until new cable specifications appear.
