Bad power killing electronic equipment

[Arrow_Raider]

I moved out of my parents' house into an apartment last fall. Since then, I have had many electronic devices work improperly or completely fail and break.

Throughout the year, the following has happened:

• Router and cable modem would often stop working and have to be rebooted daily
• Printer would often become unresponsive and need to be rebooted daily
• Old computer speakers began crackling and hissing
• New computer speakers frequently emit a very loud pop noise once or twice every hour. (NOTE: Only emits popping noise when they are plugged into desktop. Haven't tried plugging them in a different computer, but when they are not connected to a computer at least, they do not pop)
• xbox 360 died
• Laptop power adapter cable melted a little bit
• Power supply died in my primary desktop

I can blame the xbox 360 death on Microsoft's shoddy design, but the rest of the problems don't seem to be just coincidences.

My guess is that the building has bad, irregular power. A couple months ago I bought two voltage regulators (APC LE1200 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009RA60). Since then, all of my computer equipment, lcd tv, game consoles, router, modem have been behind the one of the voltage regulators.

This has had the following effects:

• Router and modem still needed to be rebooted daily. A month ago, I replaced the linksys firmware on the router with DD-WRT. Router and modem hardly ever need to be rebooted now.
• Printer rarely needs to be rebooted.
• New computer speakers still emit loud pop noises just as frequently.
• Desktop power supply just died this morning, so that occurred *after* the voltage regulator had been in place.

Here are my thoughts:

• Router with crappy linksys firmware was causing itself and the modem to stop responding. Maybe power issues before voltage regulator corrupted the firmware? I didn't try reloading the linksys firmware since I am very pleased with DD-WRT and its features.
• Regarding desktop power supply: Dying power supplies are not uncommon, and damage may have been done in time before the voltage regulator was put into place.
• Speakers: I threw the old ones in the trash a while ago, so I can't test them now. But I think the damage to them was permanent anyways. I don't know what the popping is caused by. Could be that the failing power supply in the desktop was spiking power in audio signal.
• xbox 360 failed before I had the voltage regulators for what that is worth.
• Laptop adaptor cable melting occurred a couple weeks ago, so after the voltage regulators had been in place. However, I would sometimes charge my laptop upstairs without being behind one of the regulators. Also, this particular adapter has been reported to have melting problems by other consumers.

Something that may or may not be significant:
My voltage regulators show when input power is below, at, or above normal voltage levels. The are hooked up to two different walls, but one typically shows that input is above normal levels, and the other typically shows input voltage is at normal levels. The building has an elevator and often when I hear it start moving, one or both of my regulators will emit a click sound, indicating that input voltage just went up or went down. A few minutes later, it/they will click again and return to the previous state. When the refrigerator condenser turns on, that will also sometimes trigger a click in one or both of the regulators.

This is probably not related to the power problems:
In the winter, my RAM and a harddrive in my secondary desktop began failing and I replaced them.

I don't really have a specific question, but just looking for other people's thoughts and suggestions.

[Pradeep1210]

Could it be bad power regulators rather than bad incoming electricity supply?

[Arrow_Raider]

Since the issues began happening before I bought the regulators, I'd think not. They may or may not be helping, but I don't think they are causing any new problems.

[leinad31]

Voltage regulators are just for voltage surges/spikes... get a UPS instead to "clean" the current, hook it up to existing voltage regulator for increased protection against surge/spike. From wikipedia

The primary role of any UPS is to provide short-term power when the input power source fails. However, most UPS units are also capable in varying degrees of correcting common utility power problems:

1. Power failure: defined as a total loss of input voltage.
2. Surge: defined as a momentary or sustained increase in the mains voltage.
3. Sag: defined as a momentary or sustained reduction in input voltage.
4. Spikes, defined as a brief high voltage excursion.
5. Noise, defined as a high frequency transient or oscillation, usually injected into the line by nearby equipment.
6. Frequency instability: defined as temporary changes in the mains frequency.
7. Harmonic distortion: defined as a departure from the ideal sinusoidal waveform expected on the line.

UPS units are divided into categories based on which of the above problems they address[dubious – discuss], and some manufacturers categorize their products in accordance with the number of power related problems they address.

[Nightwalker83]

Yeah, I have a UPS which, is a great help! The only problem is I should really connect it to my computer and maybe to the mains.

[penagate]

Yeah, I have a UPS which, is a great help! The only problem is I should really connect it to my computer and maybe to the mains.

[leinad31]

Well, tough luck if you don't have cheap models available where you reside. Duration on battery power isn't the primary reason for purchase so models around 2.5x the size of AVRs will suffice. It's use is commonplace here.

[Arrow_Raider]

Is UPS the same thing as the generic term, battery backup?

[Nightwalker83]

Is UPS the same thing as the generic term, battery backup?

Yes, they are the same.

[Arrow_Raider]

My primary computer uses (and requires) a 1000 watt power supply.
Would I be able to find a UPS to handle that and more, that isn't the size of a mini-fridge?

Also, are there any devices that can be used to actually test the quality, or lack thereof, of my power?

[Pradeep1210]

UPS in the range of 500/750/1000 W are a common sight everywhere. You should be able to find it on online stores as well as your local computer shops easily. It usually is the size of 2 loafs of bread kept together

[JuggaloBrotha]

My primary computer uses (and requires) a 1000 watt power supply.
Would I be able to find a UPS to handle that and more, that isn't the size of a mini-fridge?

Also, are there any devices that can be used to actually test the quality, or lack thereof, of my power?

I have an APC 2000va UPS that's really thin and not very tall.

Also DD-WRT is much better than the Linksys firmware, when I installed v2.4 SP1 on my WRT54G router, so many things were fixed and the performance was increased. It was an awesome free upgrade.

[abhijit]

I have had to replace the router three times in four years. I think this is an example of planned obsolescence built in the routers.

[sparbag]

Hello,

I use brand name (Belkin) power surge protection and everything sits behind it. I have never had to replace router, motherboard, anything.

I understand the risks of dirty electrics as previously explained and believe everyone with computer equipment should purchase surge protection as standard. Everything works more reliably and for longer.
I have one 8 way and two 6 way strips at home and state that the reliability of my computers has a positive correllation to the use of these devices.

My computer is a machine that I need to run perfectly every time I need it. Surge protection has asssisted this.


Kind regards

Steve

[abhijit]

Surge Protectors should be built in these devices by the manufacturer.