Running comps 24/7 when away. Fire hazard???

[DaFinn]

So, I'm away from home most weekends. I would like to crunch 24/7, but I don't dare to leave the comps on when away. How big propability is it that they start a fire? If, say the PSU fan stops? They're plugged to a surge protector, but I have no UPS.

Would YOU leave your comps on when away?

(Home fleet
-P4 3,06HT @ 3,45
-P4 2,53 @ 2,8
-AMD XP1900+
-P3M 1133 laptop)

 

[minendo]

I've left mine run 3.5 weeks unsupervised while crunching seti with no problems.

 

[DaFinn]

Originally posted by: minendo
I've left mine run 3.5 weeks unsupervised while crunching seti with no problems.

 

[Mardeth]

I think Ive never heard that a computer would have caught fire, thought I would recommend buying somekind of protection against lightnings.

 

[ericlp]

Power Supplies are UL rated and enclosed in a metal housing. Even if were to short one out the fuse usually burns up before you start seeing flames shooting out the of the back. I have smoked a few P/S. If you got Motherboards laying around I'd be more concerned since they arn't in a case. But usually a case is made out metal with a plastic housing ... To this day I not seen or heard of anyone's house burning down from a PC. I have 5-6 running 24 / 7. I have heard of recalls on APC's UPS.

Besides if you have fire isurance your coverd!

 

[amdxborg]

Who knows...anything could happen...

My pcs run 24/7 (supervised), I left them for a long weekend a while back...can't say I wasn't WORRIED...

Honestly don't know...weird things happen with all those fairies going around when they're home alone...

 

[DaFinn]

ericlp:

Yup, I have fire insurance... it just cannot pay for everything.

amdxborg:

Yes, it's mainly those fairies I am worried about, no self respecting fuse would ever go out on me... right?


maybe I just have to take those comps to office for weekend... I would not worry so much

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: ericlp
I have heard of recalls on APC's UPS.

Hmm, I've not heard anything about this before. It wouldn't happen to have involved the APC Back-UPS 650, would it? (*cowers in fear*)

Besides if you have fire isurance your coverd!

LOL, the parents have renters' insurance, I'm pretty sure it does cover stuff like that, but I'm also quite sure that it wouldn't pay enough to replace everything (and some things, of course, are by their very nature unreplaceable).

 

[lobadobadingdong]

It's a possibility, but I would have better odds of winning the texas lottery two weeks in row.

 

[Wiz]

I leave all mine crunching whenever away - never had a problem in nearly 5 years of Seti@home.

That being said, you will reduce your odds by not overloading anything. Keep things separated to their own plugs whenever possible. Look at the current draw through each power strip, do the math & don't exceed 75% of the recommended load.
Leave as much peripheral stuff unplugged while away, monitors etc.

<former_electrician>

I really should take my own advice - but electricians are the worst when it comes to this stuff

</former_electrician>

 

[HayHauler]

Just like mechanics drive the crapiest cars.

Hay
Cheers
:beer:

 

[networkman]

Many of my rigs are caseless(mounted on plywood), all are XP1800+ and I've been leaving them running 24/7 for several months now.

And, while I've never been away for weeks at at time, I am at work for 8 to 10 hours a day, and asleep for between 6 and 8 hours a day, so they are basically unattented for most of a 24 hour day each and every day - does that give you some idea of how concerned I am about them catching fire?

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: networkman
Many of my rigs are caseless(mounted on plywood), all are XP1800+ and I've been leaving them running 24/7 for several months now.

And, while I've never been away for weeks at at time, I am at work for 8 to 10 hours a day, and asleep for between 6 and 8 hours a day, so they are basically unattented for most of a 24 hour day each and every day - does that give you some idea of how concerned I am about them catching fire?

I've got 6 open rigs on wooden shelves (with lifters to keep airflow under the boards). They run 24/7 and are NEVER turned off. I've left them on during my vacations. My garage sounds like a wind tunnel!