Simple Electrical Question

[AVP]

Hey there I have a quick question about plugging things in the wall of my dorm room wall socket. Sorry this is pretty basic and I don't know much about this stuff so here it goes.

Right now in the top plug I have a power strip with my Computer, speakers, monitor and phone charger attached. In the other plug I have a newer mini-fridge that has the the temp setting at 4/10.

Anyways when the fridge turns on/off my computer speakers pop, more loudly when the fridge goes off. I know the power here isn't extremely stable and my friend's receiver goes off occasionally but I am wondering if I should plug the fridge into the power strip, or might that be too much strain on that one plug? The power strip is not anything special it was probably bought at Target or something...

Anyways considering my speakers pop I am just worried what it might be doing to my computer, if anything. Thanks!

 

[DoubleHelix747]

Probably just rf interference. Move the one of the two to a different receptacle to get more distance between the two.

 

[bruceb]

I would get a good UPS / Power Conditioner from APC and see what that does. It will also protect your computer and allow for a safe shut down, should the power to the computer go out while you are using it.

 

[Operandi]

The "pop" is probably a small voltage spike, most likely nothing to worry about. Newegg sells a pretty nice watt-meter that tell you all kinds of interesting information, watts being drawn, current voltage, power factor.

Moving the fridge to power strip won't do anything they are only useful for large voltage spikes and are on use items, you would also still be on the same circuit. A UPC would be a good idea, my system is always on one. You can get really good deals on refurbished units from APC's factory store.

 

[AVP]

Thanks guys, I think I am going to run to the Campus store and grab an extension cord and run it to the other side of the room for the fridge. I am too cheap to invest in a UPS at the moment, but my computer has never turned off so I will try to live it with it if I have to. Appreciate it.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: AVP
I think I am going to run to the Campus store and grab an extension cord and run it to the other side of the room for the fridge. I am too cheap to invest in a UPS at the moment, but my computer has never turned off so I will try to live it with it if I have to.

Sign up for the schools "False Economy" class. :laugh: