Question about fixing/repairing old wiring.

[Shooters]

I just moved into my new apartment that is pretty old, nearly 30 years. Everything is fine except when I turn my monitors on, I notice that the pictures shake and flicker. I'm guessing this is due to the place being pretty old, so the wiring is probably subpar by today's standards. I've tried about 4 or 5 outlets throughout the place, and still the problem persists. Is there anything I can do or ask the apartment maintenance staff to do to fix this problem, or am I just out of luck?

 

[LostInNet]

Are you sure its not your monitor that has problems? Maybe it got damaged while moving it?

 

[Shooters]

I'm fairly certain that it's not the monitors. I run dual monitors, and they both exhibit the same problem. Also, I moved everything myself, packed the monitors in their original boxes and styrofoam, and was very careful.

 

[dman]

Get a decent UPS. It'll keep the power at the appropriate voltage (conditioned) as well as protect you against surges. Has to be a 'decent' one that mentions power conditioning in the specs. Not all do that. Because it conditions the power, equipment tends not to break down as quick, in my experience. So eventually it pays for itself in not having to replace hardware. But, eventually you'll have to replace the UPS and/or battery... so at worst I'll call it slight loss but peace of mind is worth it.

 

[Shooters]

Thanks dman, I'll look into that. Can you recommend any good brands? Also, you mentioned hardware life, so are you saying that I'm putting my system at risk right now by running it under these conditions?

 

[Quixfire]

I have a smiliar problem in my basement, so a UPS will help this condition? Can you recommend a brand?

 

[foofoo]

hi,
if the monitors are close to eachother and not shielded, they'll exhibit the symptoms that you describe. are they in the same orientation as they were when you used them before the move? are they close to any speakers or other sourced of magnetic fields?
you might try just moving them a bit and seeing if it gets better. also, are you under flourescent lights?
basic wiring has not changed significantly in the past 30 years.
dman is right though, a ups is always a good idea.

good luck.

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: Shooters
Thanks dman, I'll look into that. Can you recommend any good brands? Also, you mentioned hardware life, so are you saying that I'm putting my system at risk right now by running it under these conditions?

In my experience, yes. When the wall voltage changes above/below normal amount, it causes other components (mainly the powersupply) to try and compensate. Overtime it can lead to all kinds of problems. You may not notice it right away, but, over time it stresses the components and they will breakdown quicker.

I know APC sells UPS's that offer voltage conditioning. I have a model 450 and a 650 that I've had for some time (both have had batteries replaced). Some of the low end models might not do the conditioning, but, the $70+ or so ones generally do. Check their website it'll tell you the specs.

Note: If the power is always off-spec, the UPS won't be able to do it's job. It uses the battery to keep things steady during fluctuations... so if it's constantly off the battery will drain and eventually it won't be helping (you'll know when it's a problem because it'll beep loudly until you do something about it). In an older home, or home with poor power, the ups will keep things steady when big appliances are switched on/off and such.

I'm being very high level here, it's not a cureall, but it's cheap insurance and certainly won't hurt things to use one.

 

[Shooters]

Originally posted by: foofoo
hi,
if the monitors are close to eachother and not shielded, they'll exhibit the symptoms that you describe. are they in the same orientation as they were when you used them before the move? are they close to any speakers or other sourced of magnetic fields?
you might try just moving them a bit and seeing if it gets better. also, are you under flourescent lights?
basic wiring has not changed significantly in the past 30 years.
dman is right though, a ups is always a good idea.

good luck.

The monitors were in the exact same orientation as before, and now I'm actually only running one since I've been moving the other one around to see if I could find an outlet that didn't have this problem.

 

[Thegonagle]

First, move the monitors into the same relative orientation that they were before you moved, then degauss (or turn off and back on if it's easier to do it that way, that will activate the degauss circiut on almost all monitors).

(EDIT: Long shot, but what about N, S, E, W orientation?)

Second, get a UPS. I doubt it will help much though. Sounds more like a magnetic field issue.

Except for the number of outlets required per wall, and differences in wiring conduit/box materials, the electrical code hasn't changed that much over time.

Ironic, though, that many 30 year old buildings are ready to fall down (and considered "pretty old") due to cheap building materials, while so many 70-100 year old buildings are still solid as hell.

 

[Shooters]

Originally posted by: dman

Originally posted by: Shooters
Thanks dman, I'll look into that. Can you recommend any good brands? Also, you mentioned hardware life, so are you saying that I'm putting my system at risk right now by running it under these conditions?

In my experience, yes. When the wall voltage changes above/below normal amount, it causes other components (mainly the powersupply) to try and compensate. Overtime it can lead to all kinds of problems. You may not notice it right away, but, over time it stresses the components and they will breakdown quicker.

I know APC sells UPS's that offer voltage conditioning. I have a model 450 and a 650 that I've had for some time (both have had batteries replaced). Some of the low end models might not do the conditioning, but, the $70+ or so ones generally do. Check their website it'll tell you the specs.

Note: If the power is always off-spec, the UPS won't be able to do it's job. It uses the battery to keep things steady during fluctuations... so if it's constantly off the battery will drain and eventually it won't be helping (you'll know when it's a problem because it'll beep loudly until you do something about it). In an older home, or home with poor power, the ups will keep things steady when big appliances are switched on/off and such.

I'm being very high level here, it's not a cureall, but it's cheap insurance and certainly won't hurt things to use one.

Hmmm.....the shaking is constant so I wonder if that means the UPS won't help. Also, how often have you had to replace the battery and how much did a new one cost?

I'd also be interesting in hearing if anyone has any other fixes since I need to keep this fix as cheap as possible. Is this something that can typically be fixed by a trained maintenance crew or electrician? Or would it require tearing down walls and such? I'm trying to see if there's a way that I can get the apartment management to do it before I have to go out and spend money.

 

[MasterHoss]

PM for you.

 

[Shooters]

Originally posted by: Thegonagle
First, move the monitors into the same relative orientation that they were before you moved, then degauss (or turn off and back on if it's easier to do it that way, that will activate the degauss circiut on almost all monitors).

(EDIT: Long shot, but what about N, S, E, W orientation?)

Second, get a UPS. I doubt it will help much though. Sounds more like a magnetic field issue.

Except for the number of outlets required per wall, and differences in wiring conduit/box materials, the electrical code hasn't changed that much over time.

Ironic, though, that many 30 year old buildings are ready to fall down (and considered "pretty old") due to cheap building materials, while so many 70-100 year old buildings are still solid as hell.

Well, I've tried the monitor in three different rooms, so I don't think it's an orientation or magnetic field issue. When I've had magnetic field issues in the past, typically the problems would be stuff like incorrect geometry and/or double images, never a shaking like this.