Why is electrical equipment in my new apartment getting fried?

Question

Since I've moved into my new apartment, I have had three pieces of computer equipment die on me. One was a wifi adapter plugged into a USB port. It was followed by the power adapter from a monitor, then my drawing tablet. The last two worked sporadically (if I unplugged them and then plugged them back in) before finally dying completely. Everything is plugged into a surge protector, which shows that protection is apparently working. Is it possible for faulty wiring to cause these kinds of problems? Could a power surge get past the surge protector without being detected somehow? Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer 1

A cheap multimeter is not going to tell you if there is a problem with surges, and I don't know a simple way to check if a surge protector is working. Adaptors are not incredibly reliable, so it could just be an unfortunate coincidence.

Ask your local computer shop what you can do.

Answer 2

Hi, Mark. Bobbie's on a good track, but note that the key function of the unit he links has AVR, or Automatic Voltage Regulation. Some UPS units do not have this. You can also get just AVR units, or "line conditioners", by no need to stop there, just get surge, AVR, and UPS in one package. Add whole-house lightening protection and you're pretty much zap-proof. With summer AC demands in place, some utility providers will have hell to pay getting that juice to you (see "brown-outs", which sensitive equipment also doesn't do well with), or evenly, thus this type of gear.



JW or one of the other experts here may (hopefully) stop by, but yes, it's possible that an electrical system glitch is causing problems; they will know far more than I. In a new place, you never know who's done what in making changes, especially if done by property owners or their "cousin", vs. a proper electrician. "Cow-boying up" a couple of circuits with a "shared" neutral wire can do weird stuff, for example (no disrespect for cowboys). With enough creative stupidity, all kinds of voltage transients and backfeed can result. Further speculation on my part will waste your time.

Answer 3

Would start by replacing the surge protector, have seen shorted or grounded capacitors do very strange things. One saw a bad capacitor on 480V 3 phase circuit increase voltage to equiptment to 600V.

Answer 4

Electrical transients are hard to detect, usually the only symptoms are unexplained failed components. Your surge protector may or may not be effective stopping them, as they say, you tend to get what you pay for.



My best suggestion to stop such things is getting a good uninterruptible power supply system (UPS). It will STOP all transients and erratic voltages as well as provide limited power should your line AC power goes T.U.



Here is one to think about.



http://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-CP1000AVRLCD-Intelligent-Series-Mini-Tower/dp/B000QZ3UG0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375652559&sr=8-2&keywords=PC+ups

Answer 5

buy a receptical tester at home depot, there around $5 and will tell you if there a problem.

http://static.musiciansfriend.com/derivates/18/001/387/373/DV016_Jpg_Large_330266.744_110v.jpg