Power adaptors blowing - Leckies please help!

PanchoVilla

PanchoVilla

PanchoVilla

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This may be a little long so please bear with me.

I have lots of extension sockets: one 8-way and another 6-way connected to that. The 6-way is surge protected from which my 2 pc's, broadband modem, router and monitors are connected. There are other things connected to the 8-way e.g. speakers, lamp, printers etc.

I have measured the watts going through and it is safe - about 400W in total.

However, I have had the following incidents:

First: The power adaptors for the broadband router and linksys router both died at the same time. I replaced them both with appropriate adaptors for use with linksys routers..

Second: A few months later, the power adaptor for the linksys router died again and this was replaced by another.

Third: A few months later the power adaptor for the linksys router died again! this time the circuit in the house was also tripped and I had to replace the fuse on my extension socket. I have replaced the adaptor again.


I am perplexed why the adaptors failed on my surge protected socket. Especially the first time, when both blew at the same time. My computers all are OK, but I think I need to be more concerned.

Can anyone shed any light and advice?

Are there good/bad surge protectors?

Thanks.
 
ok, from what i can tell, you have an extension lead connected to another extension lead.

I feel personaly that this is ok as long as the first extension lead is a single socket.

But connecting an multi extension to another multi extenstion is a bad idea.

just an idea but try seperating the router and modem power adaptors from the computers power.

As it could be causing a spike which is killing them.

But as i said running a multi extension from a multi extension is bad as the ring main in a house has a protective device that is rated for the maximum current that could be used. thats 13A x number of socket outlets.

(doesnt have to be all the time could just be a peak)

hope this helps a bit.
 
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jackassuk56 said:
just an idea but try seperating the router and modem power adaptors from the computers power.

As it could be causing a spike which is killing them.
Click to expand...


What exactly do you think is causing the spike, the computers?

I would have thought the spike would be from the source - that would mean the mains circuit or an imbalance in the surge protector.
 
I never use more than a 4-way extension per household socket, all my equipment has been fine even when the lights are flickering in the house!
 
therealnerd2 said:
Dont really see how you could be running all that stuff on 400W. Maybe 400W when its quiet, but not peak.
Click to expand...

It surprised me initially also, but I have a shuttle computer with a 200w psu and an IBM with a similar psu. Two LCDs and an 11w lamp.

I'm guessing at peak it would be around 500w, but believe me: when I'm not running much, the power has been as low as 350w. Of course this is measured by some Volt/Amp/Watt meter gadget I bought a while back - and not just me sticking my toe in the circuit!
 
slowrunner said:
I never use more than a 4-way extension per household socket, all my equipment has been fine even when the lights are flickering in the house!
Click to expand...

See, all household circuits are on a ring anyway. It's only the cooker and shower sockets that have a separate line to your electricity box. So, if they are on a ring anyway, it doesn't matter if you have an extension running from another - AS LONG as you don't overload it i.e. total load over 13amps.

Consider having a 20-way extension with each socket running a 10W lamp - this would be OK. But a 4-extension running 4 washing machines would not.
 
PanchoVilla said:
See, all household circuits are on a ring anyway. It's only the cooker and shower sockets that have a separate line to your electricity box. So, if they are on a ring anyway, it doesn't matter if you have an extension running from another - AS LONG as you don't overload it i.e. total load over 13amps.

Consider having a 20-way extension with each socket running a 10W lamp - this would be OK. But a 4-extension running 4 washing machines would not.
Click to expand...

Yep.

The whole "don't run an extension off an extension" thing is just to cater for people that can't add up to 13 (amps).
 
Ive never hada power adapter die. Are we talking about the Transformers-built-into-a-plug type? There must be a problem with either the adapters - inherently faulty (Unlikely) or something surging through the extension itself. The surge protection afaik is just inbetween the pluga and extension.
 
PhillyDee said:
Ive never hada power adapter die. Are we talking about the Transformers-built-into-a-plug type? There must be a problem with either the adapters - inherently faulty (Unlikely) or something surging through the extension itself. The surge protection afaik is just inbetween the pluga and extension.
Click to expand...


Yes, the black transformer-built-into-a-plug thing. I also cannot believe that the adaptors were faulty which leads me to think the surge protector is suspect since on the first occasion 2 adaptors died at the same time.
 
Nick644622 said:
If you fire that lot up at once by flicking the mains switch on, I'm surprised you have had so few failures ! 'tis called inductance.
Click to expand...

I always thought it was called "power on". Isn't inductance something that happens anyway? What exactly do you mean? Is it something like all the stuff trying demanding electricity at the same time thus causing some kinda spike?
 
What brand is your surge protector ? Could it be faulty and actually either not protecting or maybe even damaging your electronics ?

Or could it be that you've been very unlucky with some mains transformers ?

The brand of surge protector can make a huge difference, I've seen plenty of so called surge protectors with two flashy lights and very little else. If its a Belkin or some other big brand one they tend to come with a warranty that covers any attached devices. If it was bought from the local market or computer fair it might not be all that it claims. Thats no dig at markets or computer fairs but you have to have your good hardware glasses on while shopping there.

If you do have a branded one with a warranty it may be worth getting in touch with the manufacturer and asking if they can help you, I'd be surprised if they didn't just swap it over as a matter of course.

If you truly have just been unlucky with the transformers it would be a surprise but not exactly a shock. You may also want to check your positioning of them too, they don't have much in the way of cooling and tend to be designed to be plugged into a wall, so they are designed to be oriented a certain way and not be covered by anything.

Hope you find the cause.

Jim
 
Your damage is self inflicted. The anti spike "surge protector" is stopping nasties off the mains getting to your sockets. Your problem is switching on an abnormal inductive load, don't tell me you have CRT monitors as well ? If you were to fire up the PCs one at a time by the rocker switches on the PSU (not the "soft" switches) and the monitors one at a time if they are CRT, I don't think you would have had any problems (unless you have a real bad electricity supply).
 
jimbobjames said:
What brand is your surge protector ? Could it be faulty and actually either not protecting or maybe even damaging your electronics ?

Hope you find the cause.

Jim
Click to expand...

I'm beginning to suspect the surge protector as well. It is the last 2 sockets in the protector that the modem and router are plugged into.

It was a cheapy one from Argos. I think I'll replace it with a belkin or something better.

I wouldn't have thought it had the capability of actually damaging my electronics.
 
warren_1979 said:
A multi adapter on a multi adapter is a no no.
Click to expand...
Is there any chance you can post information why, rather than a vague statement ? Theres been posts in this thread arguing the opposite of your point but with actual electrical knowledge added.

Are your ethernet cables plugged into the power surge protector? Sounds like only ethernet related appliances are failing, mb coinsidence mind you.
 
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