One embodiment of the present disclosure set forth a system for hot swapping an expansion card. The system includes a fastener mechanism for coupling an expansion card to a motherboard. The system further includes a switch for controlling voltage supply to the expansion card. When the fastener mechanism is in an activated state, the fastener mechanism secures the expansion card to the motherboard and the switch causes voltage to be supplied to the expansion card. When the fastener mechanism is in a partially activated state, the fastener mechanism secures the expansion card to the motherboard and the switch prevents voltage from being supplied to the expansion card.