On Sunday 07 December 2003 09:19 am, John Richard Smith wrote:
> >You can check line power easily with a VOhm meter,
>
> true, but, a) how to get your meter which has DC up to 20 V as
> your closest option to read acurately, b) sorting out the pins
> on the output plug from PSU.
>
> >just stick the
> >leads into the wall outlet you're using during periods when
> > your neighbors are using a lot of power.
>
> Well I'm on a nice little housing estate, we all get power
> reliably 99% of the time, form an adequate local transformer.
Proximity to a local transformer is a big deal. John, I don't
know the situation in the UK, but here in the US power is 110v
per leg. Two legs on the same circuit (what you refer to as a
ring?) yields 220v for things like electric clothes dryers,
range, ovens, and furnaces. Usually those are dedicated circuits,
but all circuits are fused/circuit breaker protected for
different voltage and amperage. But I digress ....
Back to computers. It's best to have them on a circuit that
doesn't have a lot of other outlets on in. Unfortunately in my
case, the system is in the kitchen sharing a circuit with a lot
of other appliances. One of these days when I get a round-toit, I
need to put it on a dedicated 110v circuit ;)
Also, and this might be endemic to the US, or just many parts
of it, the line power (outlet) voltage and amperage at the outlet
varies. Often 90 to 120 volts, more often 90 to 95 than 110v.
Many appliances such as TV's are built to accomodate this low to
high power situation. All too often it's low power, which is just
as hard on electronics as power spikes. Usually being very close
to a local power company transformer, and not sharing with a
bunch of other houses, greatly mitigates this unfortunate
situation. Distance and sharing are vital components of electric
transmission. IE, being close but crowded, is just as bad as
being far from the local step down tranformer.
Computers, even those with very good PSU's ($70 Antec) are
very much less tolerant of low power and power spikes. Surge
protectors only protect against spikes. AND, the more often
they're called on to do this, the less effectual they become.
Cheap ones sometimes only make it thru one spike. Even the very
best should be regularly tested and/or replaced. The good ones
include a test button and fuse/breaker.
Getting back to VOhm meters. One can be had here for $10 to
$15 at a hardware or auto supply store. Every one I've ever seen
can be switched from DC to AC, and different voltage/amperage
ranges selected. There's even very cheap lightbulb 'pigtail'
type devices that indicate proper outlet voltage if the bulb
lites at the correct brightness (there's a little color chart
next to the bulb). You might just be surprised that the outlet
voltage isn't what the power company advertises.
So what's this to do with your computer(s). Well, all
problems, after the user is excused ;) hardware must be the
next elimination. AND this starts with the wall outlet. Easiest
way to fix and ensure proper power is an UPS. They are also very
much better at surviving power depressions and spikes then any
surge protector (which only are capable of spikes). Most UPS have
a test switch to ensure they're working properly.
So you might'a guessed where I'm going with this. GET AN UPS,
specially for servers or any system running 24/7. 500VA is very
suitable for even the most high powered workstations. It's also
usually a good price point. My APC BackUPS/500 was $120 at
Wal*Mart about 6 years ago. Which brings up another important
point. UPS are just power inverters, taking relatively low
voltage DC (battery power) and outputting high voltage AC when
needed. 'Course there's other circuitry to react to low/high
power situations in fractions of a micro second. Still the most
expensive component is the battery. Even in a very cheap UPS. The
better UPS brands like APC, cost more initially, but the battery
is very high quality and lasts much longer. Mine is still good as
new after 6 years. Cheap UPS' are a false ecomomy.
Doesn't really help your immediate problem, but it's a likely
cause of it, and should be eliminated in any event. Even if it's
not the ultimate culprit.
--
Tom Brinkman Corpus Christi, Texas
Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft?
Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
