Does a UPS give off RFI/EMR/EMI that could interfere w/a DSL signal?

[MichaelD]

I may be onto something that could fix the problem I'm having...can't check it out right now (I'm at work) so I figured I'd bounce it off you guys first.

I've been having probs with my router dropping my external IP. Every few minutes, it "drops" to 0.0.0.0 as if I have no connection, which I know I do. SWBell (my ISP) has checked my line and they say all is well.

After repeating myself over and over saying "but nothing has changed on my end!!!" I embarassingly admit that I DID OVERLOOK something.

A few days ago, I installed a second UPS. It powers my server. The UPS is under my desk and the incoming phone line (from the wall jack to the DSL modem) runs right next to, and over the UPS. It's actually touching the case of the UPS.

Could the UPS be giving off emissions that are screwing with my signal? The phone line IS really skinny and cheapie looking...it all worked fine until a few days ago when I put the UPS down there.

Ideas?

 

[Linflas]

Anything is possible and since that is the one change you have made it seems like a very good place to start. I have 2 UPS boxes sitting right next to both my iDSL router which has stacked on top of it a Linksys router and a cable modem and do not have any interference issues. The cable connecting to the router from the wall is like a LAN cable rather than a flat silver satin type phone cable.

 

[rufruf44]

Never heard something like that but it might be the case. I was once told to keep any cordless phone in a safe distance from the DSL modem, because it might interfere with DSL. Also, you might want to use the cable SWBell provided to connect the DSL modem to the phone line (the black cable that seemed to be a Cat-3 cable). It looks much sturdier than a regular phone cable and I remember ASI always recommend using it.

 

[MichaelD]

You know, come to think of it, I have that thick Cat-5-looking cable...sitting in my parts box. I'm thinking that possibly the combination of the cheapie cable I'm currently using combined with the fact the UPS is there is screwing me up.

I will switch cables first thing. If that doesn't work, I'll move the UPS. If that doesn't work, I'll reflash the router. If that doesn't work, I'll I'll spray all my computer hardware parts with chicken blood, while wearing a chicken suit, while reciting random Mother Goose nursery rhymes backwards, in Swahili.

 

[bunker]

My cat5 is plugged into my ups for lightning/spike protection. Hasn't affected my line at all.