4th PSU will now probably fail in 2 years... -.-

[BigBadBeef]

Okay, I am willing to entertain the notion that I might have bad house power. I've had ASUS anti-surge trigger on my 4th power supply by now, granted, this one has lasted the longest by now, but is nevertheless surged for the first time.

This is all wank! I've had half a dozen PC's, all cheapo junk, now I have what was top of the line last year and now its causing trouble?

So I need to try and compensate for bad house power, I am thinking UPS, am I correct?

 

[BigBadBeef]

Alright, I'll get on it.

 

[BigBadBeef]

Okay, here is an update for you, gentlemen:

I've done as mr. westom recommended, and have gone full CSI mode on the problem. I have called in an electrician, while initial measurements proved normal, he attached a 24hr monitoring device on the power sockets used by me. Results indicated that within that period, the power suffered several short & quite intense dips on voltages, because these voltages were in the old part of the house and were mainly internal, it did not trigger the FID safety switch on the power box itself. It was also very suspicious to him that my PC revs up the fans quite violently during power-up.

His recommendation was that I buy an UPS which I did, a 620VA Apollo which I now use for my PC and monitor. Immediately there was an improvement - PC started normally, it booted faster, its more quiet and I am no longer able to roast sausages on the PSU exhaust when under load.


Total cost - 59.99€ for the UPS, 29.99€ For mr. Volt. ( ).

He also said my gut was right - should have just ordered a regulator from Germany for 27.99€ plus 9.99€ for mail that would have been the end of it. The brakes on my car will have to wait another month, I hope you're happy now! 🙁
Just kidding, I don't blame you, at least now I know for sure!

 

[Blueberries]

Voltage drops wouldn't cause damage to your components and your fans are supposed to speed up when your computer turns on.

 

[westom]

I have called in an electrician, while initial measurements proved normal, he attached a 24hr monitoring device on the power sockets used by me. Results indicated that within that period, the power suffered several short & quite intense dips on voltages, because these voltages were in the old part of the house and were mainly internal, it did not trigger the FID safety switch on the power box itself.

If power was dropping that much, then the fault would have been obvious on incandescent bulbs. Furthermore, if voltage is dropping that much due to something internal, then a human safety problem probably exists.

For voltage to drop so low as to cause fans to spin full speed, then a major voltage increase exists somewhere in wires in the wall. That is how fires start. Voltage must never dip that low.

On some boxes, fans will spin at full speed until the computer takes over and lowers that speed. For the computer it reset like that means voltage dropped so low as to be apparent on incandescent bulbs. That much voltage drop is potentially harmful to motorized appliances (and not to electronics or power supply). Blueberries said same.

UPS, as recommended, cures symptoms rather than fix a problem. A better (more responsible) electrician is needed. Voltage at an appliance should never drop that low. And would be obvious by a dimming incandescent bulb. Low voltage at an appliance implies a sharp voltage increase exists elsewhere inside walls. That can cause a structure fire. Never cure symptoms as that electrician recommended. Always cure the problem.

 

[BigBadBeef]

I did not include the details of my conversation with the electrician... its not like I made a transcript for it, but suffice it to say I didn't hire a retard. The immediate problem with the computer has been solved. And we don't use incandescent bulbs anymore.

Now, unless you want to front 3000€ for rewiring the old part of the house, I suggest you stop frustrating me and accept this as the most adequate solution for the resources at my current disposal.

 

[westom]

Nobody said anything about rewiring the house. Even 1930 wiring is more than sufficient. But a loose connection (a 30 second fix) may explain that anomaly. Ignoring it can create human safety threats.

You may not think he was a fool. But I have done this stuff for many decades. No electrician of integrity cures a major voltage drop with a UPS. Especially when the fix is often just restoring a bad junction.

You are welcome to ignore recommendation. But I would be irresponsible for not defining what has, in other venues, caused fires. Even it you ignore it, other can learn from that mistake.

 

[BigBadBeef]

Mr. westom,

I am neither inclined nor willing to explain the details of why the wiring is the culprit of these electricity issues, suffice it to say that I have been presented with sufficient evidence to convince me that it is so, evidence of which I feel no need to show you as some of the components would reveal backdrops of a personal nature.

The computer problems have stopped at the moment, the electricity issues have been brought to my attention. Your assistance (even though it has indirectly incurred additional costs that could have been avoided) has been appreciated. I consider the matter resolved for the moment, and am asking you politely to JUST DROP IT!

Have a nice day!

****REQUESTING TOPIC LOCKDOWN!!!****