dirty AC?

**magnethead** · 08-16-2008, 08:21 PM

ok gang

I move into the dorms on thursday.

I'm PROBABLY going to end up having my minifridge and computer on the same breaker.

Am i correct to assume that the AC motor is going to create a nasty AC signal? Right now the cieling fan and desk fan are on the same circuit, but a mini fridge compressor motor is a bit heavier duty?

Tumbleweed36 · 08-16-2008, 08:29 PM

I think you have made a very safe assumption. The refrigerator compressor will definitely cause some serious variations in the pureness of power flow to your computer.

MrChooks · 08-16-2008, 09:37 PM

Magnet - So you're "running away from home??"

Yea there would be some VA distortions in the power supply - but nothing that I would have thought even the most primitive PSU wouldn't be able to handle and smooth out.

It is usually motors (or other inductive loads) starting and stopping where the spikes occur in the AC supply - but in all the years I have run PCs on mine development sites powered by diesel gen sets and frequent big loads being switched on the same circuit - I can't recall ever having a PC (or laptop) die because of power supply issues (had one run over by a small truck - though that can't be blamed on the power supply - more a silly old mining exec leaving it on the roof of his car and driving off!!

)

If you are really worried - see if you can get hold of a small UPS - I have used them in the Pacific Islands where power supplies are appalling - brown outs, way out of spec voltages and high frequency supply interruptions - and again - never had a power supply related problem with PCs.

08-16-2008, 08:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
magnethead Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 3,570 OS: Vista ultimate 32bit My System Blog Entries: 3	dirty AC? ok gang I move into the dorms on thursday. I'm PROBABLY going to end up having my minifridge and computer on the same breaker. Am i correct to assume that the AC motor is going to create a nasty AC signal? Right now the cieling fan and desk fan are on the same circuit, but a mini fridge compressor motor is a bit heavier duty? __________________ For proper support: what are you running? graphics, cpu, m/board, ram, PSU brand wattage PCI-E requires 26 amps at 12 volts. That's a 650W PSU. Power Supply Info and Selection . Info on thermal compounds & application . TEST PSU USING MULTI-METER . Bench Testing Your System

08-16-2008, 08:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,652 OS: XP Professional	Re: dirty AC? I think you have made a very safe assumption. The refrigerator compressor will definitely cause some serious variations in the pureness of power flow to your computer. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

08-16-2008, 09:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
MrChooks Gearhead Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 613 OS: Windows XP Home SP 3 My System	Re: dirty AC? Magnet - So you're "running away from home??" Yea there would be some VA distortions in the power supply - but nothing that I would have thought even the most primitive PSU wouldn't be able to handle and smooth out. It is usually motors (or other inductive loads) starting and stopping where the spikes occur in the AC supply - but in all the years I have run PCs on mine development sites powered by diesel gen sets and frequent big loads being switched on the same circuit - I can't recall ever having a PC (or laptop) die because of power supply issues (had one run over by a small truck - though that can't be blamed on the power supply - more a silly old mining exec leaving it on the roof of his car and driving off!!) If you are really worried - see if you can get hold of a small UPS - I have used them in the Pacific Islands where power supplies are appalling - brown outs, way out of spec voltages and high frequency supply interruptions - and again - never had a power supply related problem with PCs.