Hello fellow forumites,
Recently I have been having some electricity issues, and my basic understanding is limiting me from solving this problem here. In summary I work overseas (in Tanzania) where there are lots of power problems, and very often power cuts out and we switch over to the backup generator (automatically).
Now from all my work in Africa I know this could be an issue, so all my electronics runs on voltage stabilisers. Perticularly the sensitive (expensive) stuff, I always purchase big good quality units. This has all been fine and I've never really had issues, except every now and again I need to replace the odd fuse. But in the last week I've had alot of issues.
So the electronics in my lounge all runs thru 1 big stabiliser, that's fused with a 5A fuse. Never had any issues. But recently these fuses are being fried in a matter of minutes. I at first thought the stabiliser had issues so I used another that works perfectly and the second stabiliser has the same issue.
I've tried having the stabiliser plugged into the wall without anything plugged into it and this still has a fuse pop every now and again. Most recently my nice ellies power strip shorted out (at the same time as a fuse), so I suspected that it was the cause of the issue. I have another one which I have started using and yesterday during the day the same issue popped up (although, now i'm using 4amp fuses as I can't seem to find 5A).
Now the strange thing is that sometimes it's perfectly fine, and other times it pops in minutes. Last night I plugged in a new fuse, and the stabiliser into the wall. Left it for 10 mins, no issues. Added the power strip, and power cable for the PC and TV, again left it for 10 mins. No probs. Removed the TV and PC cable, plugged in my US step down converter (nothing plugged into that). No probs. Then added the amp and a few other pieces that it powers (remote charger and wireless router). Again, no issues. Added the PC and TV again. No probs, had them all on and used them last night. No issues. Left it all overnight, this morning was perfectly fine again.
So, this really leads me to believe that the power supply is an issue. I am not really sure what else it could be. Interestingly enough, using my multitool I've tested the plug points in my home and everyone has a supply voltage of 245v!!!! This has been the case since moved in (over a year ago) and I've not had anything fry except fuses and my old kettle (which wasn't on a stabiliser). All the trip switches in the unit are rated at 20A.
So my questions are:
1. Does it sound like the supply is the issue? Or are there other things I should check out?
2. Is 4A really enough for a full cabinet of electronics (50" plasma, PC (400W PSU), 2000W voltage step down, Onkyo NR807 amp, PS3, Xbox, CDP, UPS for the PC and the odd charger/wireless router/ USB hub/etc)? I wouldn't have thought so.... Obviously all those don't run at the same time
3. Am I being a total idiot and not thinking of something that should be checked?
Thanks all
Recently I have been having some electricity issues, and my basic understanding is limiting me from solving this problem here. In summary I work overseas (in Tanzania) where there are lots of power problems, and very often power cuts out and we switch over to the backup generator (automatically).
Now from all my work in Africa I know this could be an issue, so all my electronics runs on voltage stabilisers. Perticularly the sensitive (expensive) stuff, I always purchase big good quality units. This has all been fine and I've never really had issues, except every now and again I need to replace the odd fuse. But in the last week I've had alot of issues.
So the electronics in my lounge all runs thru 1 big stabiliser, that's fused with a 5A fuse. Never had any issues. But recently these fuses are being fried in a matter of minutes. I at first thought the stabiliser had issues so I used another that works perfectly and the second stabiliser has the same issue.
I've tried having the stabiliser plugged into the wall without anything plugged into it and this still has a fuse pop every now and again. Most recently my nice ellies power strip shorted out (at the same time as a fuse), so I suspected that it was the cause of the issue. I have another one which I have started using and yesterday during the day the same issue popped up (although, now i'm using 4amp fuses as I can't seem to find 5A).
Now the strange thing is that sometimes it's perfectly fine, and other times it pops in minutes. Last night I plugged in a new fuse, and the stabiliser into the wall. Left it for 10 mins, no issues. Added the power strip, and power cable for the PC and TV, again left it for 10 mins. No probs. Removed the TV and PC cable, plugged in my US step down converter (nothing plugged into that). No probs. Then added the amp and a few other pieces that it powers (remote charger and wireless router). Again, no issues. Added the PC and TV again. No probs, had them all on and used them last night. No issues. Left it all overnight, this morning was perfectly fine again.
So, this really leads me to believe that the power supply is an issue. I am not really sure what else it could be. Interestingly enough, using my multitool I've tested the plug points in my home and everyone has a supply voltage of 245v!!!! This has been the case since moved in (over a year ago) and I've not had anything fry except fuses and my old kettle (which wasn't on a stabiliser). All the trip switches in the unit are rated at 20A.
So my questions are:
1. Does it sound like the supply is the issue? Or are there other things I should check out?
2. Is 4A really enough for a full cabinet of electronics (50" plasma, PC (400W PSU), 2000W voltage step down, Onkyo NR807 amp, PS3, Xbox, CDP, UPS for the PC and the odd charger/wireless router/ USB hub/etc)? I wouldn't have thought so.... Obviously all those don't run at the same time
3. Am I being a total idiot and not thinking of something that should be checked?
Thanks all
