does an AC outlet affect performance?

[imported_SC4RF4C3]

I was wondering today if an outlet thats on a circuit with a few other appliances would/could have its power reduced so a PC cannot draw the required amps/current to properly run a pc.

for example the outlet I have my pc on is on a line that has quite a few things on it and though my power has been upgraded these lines were not redone, I have had new circuits put in as well and have not tried my pc on these lines.

any ideas?

 

[Sandan]

Well I had a problem a couple years ago with power surges that Destroyed 3 different monitors. I had my computer plugged into an outlet that had other things on it. I installed a dedicated circuit and wall plug that is only for the computer. Never had a problem since.

 

[Roguestar]

Try your PC on another circuit in the house, preferably with as few things drawing from it as you can, just incase.

 

[Matthias99]

It's possible, but:

1) You'd have to be either pulling a LOT of power from your PC, or a LOT of power from the other stuff on the outlet (heavy power tools or space heaters or appliances, that sort of thing). A 15A household outlet/circuit can power nearly 1800W of stuff, and a 20A circuit can handle up to 2400W. Most PCs, even high-end ones, are pulling under 400W from the wall. If you're not using SLI or massively overclocking (or installing dozens of hard drives), it's probably more like 200-300W at most.

2) Most likely the system just wouldn't work at all, or would randomly power off or crash. Lousy (but stable) performance is much more likely to be due to a bad configuration somewhere.

 

[Jiggz]

Unless it's a grounding issue, the answer is NO! The circuit breaker or fuse will trip first, if not the wire will start to burn before the total current drawn by all equipment in a circuit will start to be limited. Yours maybe a system problem rather than a power outlet one. Try another PSU first.

 

[Rubycon]

A good power supply can maintain regulation with an input from ~90 through 250VAC.

If you're falling below the lower threshold - even briefly - this is not good. Keep in mind some non linear loads such as laser printers can draw very high peak amps for short duration. This happens whenever the unit is ready to print - the fuser heaters are switched on and off rapidly to maintain temperature and they have a high inrush current.

A proper leg back to the panel will not allow this to happen but as the wiring ages - particularly the terminals - sags exceeding the ps hold time may occur in these unusual circumstances causing the pc to misbehave.