Is there any way to check power stability in appartment?

[xit2nowhere]

Hi,
guys, I was wondering is there any way to check how stable the power in a place is?
I know if, for example, light dims or gets bright then it means power sagging or overcurrent?
Any other more appropriate "scientific" ways?

Thank you.

 

[nickbits]

ask other tenants

 

[philipma1957]

Hi,
guys, I was wondering is there any way to check how stable the power in a place is?
I know if, for example, light dims or gets bright then it means power sagging or overcurrent?
Any other more appropriate "scientific" ways?

Thank you.

you can buy a kill-a-watt and look at the voltage readings


http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4400-Electricity-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU

just look every hour. there are more expensive methods that involve a voltage meter a pc some software. giving you a long print out set for every 10 minutes

 

[Eureka]

you can buy a kill-a-watt and look at the voltage readings


http://www.amazon.com/P3-Internation.../dp/B00009MDBU

just look every hour. there are more expensive methods that involve a voltage meter a pc some software. giving you a long print out set for every 10 minutes

Without a load it's still kind of useless.

Better way is to plug in a .25 ohm power resistor into your wall and see what happens.

 

[xit2nowhere]

Without a load it's still kind of useless.

Better way is to plug in a .25 ohm power resistor into your wall and see what happens.

I would do that, only if I knew what you are talking about

 

[xit2nowhere]

I'm asking this question, because I have to decide whether I should buy a ups or a surge protector will suffice.

 

[Eureka]

A .25 ohm resistor will draw 1000W RMS... more than your PC probably will in its lifetime. Same idea as connecting a hairdryer or a heater in the wall. None of these tests are really good for long term stability, just to know if the fuse won't blow when you run your system.

I don't think anyone besides the power energy company or perhaps a long term tenant will know anything about power stability. We can test to see if you'll get power into your room, but we can't predict how well the power company will hold up.

 

[philipma1957]

sounds like tight funds. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

what could you spend?


how much juice does your system pull?

+++++ there are some good sellers on ebay. this site does not allow links to ebay. i grabbed an eaton 5125 1000 va unit on ebay for under 225.

that is half price. it would be good for most computers with a 750 watt psu. it regulates low voltage.

 

[xit2nowhere]

Guys,
thank you all very much for your help!
I just went ahead and bought APC back-ups BX1100CI 650W.
Right now I live in a student dorm, where the power supply seems to be good and stable, but in summer I might move to a private appartment complex, and I have no idea how good power supply there will be. So, I just decided to be on a safe side and bought a ups instead of a regular surge protector.

Thank you all once again!