3 PSUs dead in the past three months and light bulbs exploding

[Ken90630]

But, if it was something weird like that, should have manifested itself already if it was going to.

That's what they want you to believe.

:evil:

 

[NokiaDude]

You need a UPS that is an active type meaning it's using the battery all the time. I have a Cyberpower unit that's an active UPS type and it automatically adjusts voltage as necessary. Sounds like your UPS doesn't have that feature.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
You need a UPS that is an active type meaning it's using the battery all the time. I have a Cyberpower unit that's an active UPS type and it automatically adjusts voltage as necessary. Sounds like your UPS doesn't have that feature.

In this case, the OP would have to make sure that his UPS can adjust to both undervoltages AND overvoltages. Some cheaper AVR UPS units will only raise undervoltages and will just cut out if there's an overvoltage.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Light bulbs turned out to be generic, never skimping on those again. No abnormal readings from the UPS monitoring software. All the PCs effected were on independent APC or Tripp Lite battery backups (both have undervoltage and overvoltage protection). Antec's quality has been going down hill lately and one of the PSUs was generic.

Going to file this under coincidence. All has been quiet since I posted this thread on the electronics front, although things could be doing better on the biological front.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: crimson117
The only time I've seen lit lightbulbs explode was when I shot them with a watergun.

I can attest from firsthand experience that playing with nunchaku with a low ceiling can have the same effect.

 

[vailr]

A whole-house surge suppressor can be purchased for under $40 at your local Lowe's or Home Depot.
These are sized to fit inside an electrical breaker box, the same size as regular circuit breakers.

 

[bub]

Computer Wiz Kid got it right.

You have a short in your neutral (ground).

1st place I would look is your main circuit box. Make sure main ground supply wire is tight.

2nd place I would look is in back of your electric meter. Requires you to break the seal. Pull the meter. Tighten ground terminal.

3rd... get an electrician!

 

[bruceb]

Wiz kid was not the first to suggest trouble with the Neutral or the Ground
Reread my post which was before his.

When a light bulb explodes it is usually an overvoltage condition that causes it.

Here is what you need to do:

1): Ask the power company to install a Power Line Monitor at the point of entrance.
This will record all Voltage Variations and it will be easy to tell if the problem is
coming from the power network or not.

2): If the line monitor shows clean at that point, the next thing I would check is the
wiring inside the Main Circuit Breaker Panel. You can do most of this yourself, but
be careful. You want to check that all the wire terminals at the Breakers, Neutral Bar
and Ground Bar are Tight ... a loose wire can cause all sorts of trouble. It can also
be a loose Neutral wire at one of the many junction points in the home. You would
need an Electrician to check all of those and also to check that the wires (usually aluminum)
going into the Main Breaker and in the Meter Tray are not corroded and properly tightened.
You can not touch these yourself as the Current at those locations is Very Dangerous.

Let us know how it works out. I am interested in the final outcome.