Mains Filter For Pcs - Recommendations?

[JetsetBkk]

My UPS has a mains filter built into it, but I still get problems with my USB drive sometimes being reported as "not recognised". This occurs maybe once or twice a month but always when there is a lot of activity on the drive and - I have noticed twice - when I switch off or on other electrical equipment.

So I want to eliminate the possibility of mains spikes getting through the UPS and screwing up the USB hardware/comms.

Any recommendations for filters or noise suppressors?

[opalhort]

Is the electrical system in your house grounded?

A UPS won't function properly without being grounded!

Many of the socalled "Powerbars" (multiple sockets in one block) sold here in LOS appear to be grounded but actually they are not!

opalhort

Edited October 16, 2008 by opalhort

[JetsetBkk]

Is the electrical system in your house grounded?

A UPS won't function properly without being grounded!

Many of the socalled "Powerbars" (multiple sockets in one block) sold here in LOS appear to be grounded but actually they are not!

opalhort

Hi opalhort. Yes, I remember an old thread by Crossy about extension blocks. I threw out some multi-socket blocks because of that.

But yes, my sockets are grounded - I've checked the wiring inside. I have two multi-socket extension blocks connected to the two outputs of the UPS. They are good quality and have the earth through to all of the sockets.

I thought if I could fit some kind of noise suppressor it would help get rid of any spikes getting through the UPS.

[opalhort]

Hi Jetset,

Have you had your UPS checked for any defects?

We have 4 PCs each with its' own Leonics UPS and multiple USB drives, but never experienced any problem of this kind eventhough our household has many heavy duty equipment going on-off-on at all times.

On some UPS it is also possible (via software or switches) to adjust the sensitivity of the built-in line filter. Have a look at the manual or software that came with your UPS.

opalhort

[JetsetBkk]

Hi Jetset,

Have you had your UPS checked for any defects?

We have 4 PCs each with its' own Leonics UPS and multiple USB drives, but never experienced any problem of this kind eventhough our household has many heavy duty equipment going on-off-on at all times.

On some UPS it is also possible (via software or switches) to adjust the sensitivity of the built-in line filter. Have a look at the manual or software that came with your UPS.

opalhort

I actually got this UPS because of the same problem occurring with my previous UPS. I was hoping the new UPS would be better at dealing with the spikes. I think it is - but only a little better.

The new one is "Socomec Silicon" brand, model "EGYS Series Smart Line Interactive UPS". It comes with a utility on CD to monitor the UPS status via a USB cable - the charge level, alarm status, etc get displayed in a small window. I don't bother connecting the cable any more as I need all the USB ports.

I can't see anything in the instruction sheet about adjusting anything, so maybe I'm getting what I paid for - it cost about 2000 - 2,500 baht if I recall correctly.

Maybe I should change the light switches?

(Hmm, not so daft an idea, at that!)

[opalhort]

I have no idea about the quality of

"Socomec Silicon" brand, model "EGYS Series Smart Line Interactive UPS"

I've been using Leonics for the past ten years and never had any problems. The last one I bought in Sep.'08 (OA extra 500VA) cost me 2,650.- Baht

No need to change your switches. A good UPS should be able to handle even a sparkling loose connection on the same line as long as everything is grounded.

opalhort

[Meerkat]

I've been using Powermatic tap-change voltage regulators for a while (after reading some of Crossy's advice on these forums), which then power the APC UPSes. Some of my gear (notably my linux satellite decoders) is very sensitive to voltage fluctuations, and the voltage here fluctuates! Since installing them I've had absolutely no problems at all.

Link here. The 2kVA ones were THB 1800 from DataIT when I got them 6 months ago.

[klikster]

I have a big honking "Imperial Series" Powermatic. It has 6 sockets .. 3 provide only surge suppression, 3 battery backup and surge suppression. It was expensive, but so was a hard drives that got fried and several hours of work I lost.

[JetsetBkk]

Thanks for the info on what you use - I'll be checking the links.

I found another problem with USB devices - my g/f plugs her mp3 player into the USB port of the DVD player in the bedroom, so she can play her music loud while in the shower using the DVD's speakers.

Today I switched off the fan that is plugged into the same extension block as the DVD and speakers, and her mp3 player reset. It started playing from the first song.

She blamed me for doing something to her mp3 player, so I switched the fan on and off again, and the same thing happened - the mp3 player started from the beginning. I can reproduce the problem at will.

I tried my 4GB USB flash drive containing some TV shows and couldn't reproduce the problem - the .avi files played OK. Very odd.

[H3Digital]

Your not supposed to plug powerbars into a UPS for a number of reasons.

A UPS will not interfere with USB in any way whatsoever, it sounds like you are simply overloading the UPS when you are turning the fan on.

The MP3 player of your girlfriends will draw a charge from the DVD player, whilst your USB memory card won't.

[Guest Reimar]

Have you ever checked your grounding is in working condition? At all connectors you're using! That's were you need to start.

Don't think the existense of the cables indicates that the system is in working condition!

Cheers.

[JetsetBkk]

Have you ever checked your grounding is in working condition? At all connectors you're using! That's were you need to start.

Don't think the existense of the cables indicates that the system is in working condition!

Cheers.

Yes, I think you're right. I had checked the earthing of some other wall sockets, but not all of them.

Time for thorough check of the sockets and extension blocks.

[Guest Reimar]

If you've an Volt Meter use the following procedure:

measure between Line an 0, result should be app 230 V

measure between Line and Ground, result should be 230 V as well

measure between 0 and Ground, the result should be 0 V

If the result between Line and Ground is 190 V, you'll get between 0 and Ground 40 V which means your power is leaking and grounding isn't correct.

If you didn't get at least 120 V between Line and Ground, your grounding isn't work anyway. But both of tha lasttwo is't ok anyway.

Cheers.

[JetsetBkk]

If you've an Volt Meter use the following procedure:

measure between Line an 0, result should be app 230 V

measure between Line and Ground, result should be 230 V as well

measure between 0 and Ground, the result should be 0 V

If the result between Line and Ground is 190 V, you'll get between 0 and Ground 40 V which means your power is leaking and grounding isn't correct.

If you didn't get at least 120 V between Line and Ground, your grounding isn't work anyway. But both of tha lasttwo is't ok anyway.

Cheers.

Hi, Reimar. Yes, I do have a multimeter and did that test some time ago. I'll repeat it later - after I've finished using the PC - and see if I still get good results. I don't know where the thick green earth wire goes (the one that's in the sockets) but it may not be making a good ground contact.