Computer Issues Related to Mains Voltage Drop

Frankievalli

Frankievalli

Frankievalli

Associate
Joined
24 Dec 2008
Posts
15
Hi I am a regular system builder and Was asked in March 2008 to build a compact pc for a couple living on a narrow boat.

I built a compact desktop pc based on an Intel Processor E series

Whilst the PC was in my house I built it up and had no problems with stability or crashing or using any features or playing any games.

As soon as I gave the pc to the new owners it started to mess about,

I have now re built the machine 4 times and installed new Fans for cooling, New HDD due to damage to the orignal even to the point of replacing the mother board thinking there was a problem with the SATA controller. All this to no avail.

I did some leg work and checked the 240v supply to the boat an found it to only be 221v~ .

Could this cause problems with the internal voltages to the M/B and Drives ??

Are the Corsair PSU fully auto sensing with regards to input voltage ?

Will a new Corsair PSU be able to cope with an inadquate 221v~ supply.

PLEASE HELP ME I AM AT THE END OF MY AGHH!!!!!

Kind Regards to any one able to help.......
 
UK mains voltage averages 230V as we have harmonised with the EU. Modern appliances will work over a wide voltage range without issue.

Modern power supplies are auto switching all the way from 90V to 250V but sudden dropouts or spikes could cause a problem.

A UPS is probably the best solution, though it will it to the overall power consumption of the system.

AD
 
The 240Volt supply, is it proper mains or from a battery through an inverter or from a generator ? (I wouldn't fancy plugging a UPS into an inverter). You'd also be better off with a UPS that doesn't filter the mains but which generates mains from it's batteries even when the suspect supply is on.
 
decto said:
UK mains voltage averages 230V as we have harmonised with the EU. Modern appliances will work over a wide voltage range without issue.

AD
Click to expand...

We cheated on the 'harmonisation' angle, we were 240v +/- 10%, while Europe was 230 +/- 10%. We are now 230 -5%, +10% I think.
Mind you 230 -5% is still above 220volts, so I agree with the others on here, the problem is probably spikes or short term drops which your DMM won't see, but the PC supply will. A UPS is the best option if they have the space for one.
 
The 240Volt supply, is it proper mains or from a battery through an inverter or from a generator ?
Click to expand...
The supply is mains supplied from a pontoon at a Yhat club but the cable run to the mooring is in excess of 30mtrs on only 2.5mm armoured cable.

Thanks for all comments / Replys going to try a decient PSU then if still getting probs will try the UPS route (DIDNT THINK OF UPS NICE ONE)
 
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