Help: Failing Power Supplies

[Searcher7]

I have a Westell 327W Modem from Verizon that I use for connecting to
the internet. The power supply that came with the modem failed. And
the same model power supply I replaced it with failed also. Now an off
brand that I bought used failed after only several days. So I was
wondering it my problem could be elsewhere.

Is it plausible that the outlet strip (or outlet itself) could be
overloading the power supplies that supply my modem?

The supplies seem to run hot, and I had three cheap light bulbs go out
just over the last month when the lamp was plugged into the same
outlet strip.

Any ideas on what changes to make would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Isalnd, New York.

 

[Jamie]

Searcher7 wrote:

I have a Westell 327W Modem from Verizon that I use for connecting to
the internet. The power supply that came with the modem failed. And
the same model power supply I replaced it with failed also. Now an off
brand that I bought used failed after only several days. So I was
wondering it my problem could be elsewhere.

Is it plausible that the outlet strip (or outlet itself) could be
overloading the power supplies that supply my modem?

The supplies seem to run hot, and I had three cheap light bulbs go out
just over the last month when the lamp was plugged into the same
outlet strip.

Any ideas on what changes to make would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Isalnd, New York.
Is this old wiring? Old house?

Do you have a volt meter for which you can test your outlet? Do you
notice brighter than normal lights in your location and maybe do they
flicker at times?

You may want to test to make sure the neutral in the plug is
connected to the proper slot..
Putting a volt meter between the Large Slot and round ground pin
should yield a very low to no voltage reading. And testing between the
ground pin and the small Slot should give you around 120v AC.. if this
isn't no where close to what I have given you, i'd suggest to get that
outlet and maybe your electrical system checked out.

220 volts can exist if the electrical system is not correct how ever,
having a universal supply which covers 100-240 50/60hz shouldn't get
effected by this.

Have you considered a problem with the modem? You could have a bad cap
in it that is exerting current due to leakage or a leaky protection diode.

 

[Searcher7]

On Feb 6, 1:51 pm, Jamie
<jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1l...@charter.net> wrote:

Searcher7 wrote:
I have a Westell 327W Modem from Verizon that I use for connecting to
the internet. The power supply that came with the modem failed. And
the same model power supply I replaced it with failed also. Now an off
brand that I bought used failed after only several days. So I was
wondering it my problem could be elsewhere.

Is it plausible that the outlet strip (or outlet itself) could be
overloading the power supplies that supply my modem?

The supplies seem to run hot, and I had three cheap light bulbs go out
just over the last month when the lamp was plugged into the same
outlet strip.

Any ideas on what changes to make would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Isalnd, New York.

Is this old wiring? Old house?

  Do you have a volt meter for which you can test your outlet? Do you
notice brighter than normal lights in your location and maybe do they
flicker at times?

   You may want to test to make sure the neutral in the plug is
connected to the proper slot..
    Putting a volt meter between the Large Slot and round ground pin
should yield a very low to no voltage reading. And testing between the
  ground pin and the small Slot should give you around 120v AC.. if this
isn't no where close to what I have given you, i'd suggest to get that
outlet and maybe your electrical system checked out.

  220 volts can exist if the electrical system is not correct how ever,
having a universal supply which covers 100-240 50/60hz shouldn't get
effected by this.

   Have you considered a problem with the modem? You could have a bad cap
in it that is exerting current due to leakage or a leaky protection diode..- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

It is an old house and all of the outlets do not have the ground
prong.

I have several items plugged into that outlet strip, including my pc,
monitor, and 220V printer that uses a step-up transformer, but have so
far only had issues with the lamp bulbs and modem power supply.

The lamp is a new one I just re-wired, unlike the old one which blew
it's last bulb yesterday, it is using one of those high efficiency
energy saving bulbs that look like a coil, but I've not noticed
anything unusual, yet. With the old lamp, the bulbs only flickered
when they were about to die.

I have several Fluke DMMs but will have to read up on how to use them
to test an outlet.

(Perhaps using a different outlet will help until I can figure this
out).

Any ideas on the best place to pick up power supplies?

Thanks a lot.

Darren harris
Staten Isalnd, New York.

 

[whit3rd]

On Feb 6, 10:14 am, Searcher7 <Search...@mail.con2.com> wrote:

I have a Westell 327W Modem from Verizon that I use for connecting to
the internet. The power supply that came with the modem failed. And
the same model power supply I replaced it with failed also. Now an off
brand that I bought used failed after only several days. So I was
wondering it my problem could be elsewhere.

Is it plausible that the outlet strip (or outlet itself) could be
overloading the power supplies that supply my modem?

Power surges can take out sensitive devices, so can power brownouts
(because the power supply has a constant load, if the input goes low
voltage, it draws more current, even if that blows an internal fuse).
Surge absorbers are easily available, plug one into the outlet
strip (or use a strip with such built in). If it's brownout
difficulties,
more expensive treatments (power conditioners) are available, but
it means your house wiring needs checking, and maybe repair.

Lamp burnout would indicate surges, OR maybe a 'floating neutral'.
If you don't know how to use a voltmeter, hire an electrician.

 

On Feb 6, 10:14 am, Searcher7 <Search...@mail.con2.com> wrote:

I have a Westell 327W Modem from Verizon that I use for connecting
to
the internet. The power supply that came with the modem failed. And
the same model power supply I replaced it with failed also. Now an
off
brand that I bought used failed after only several days. So I was
wondering it my problem could be elsewhere.

Is it plausible that the outlet strip (or outlet itself) could be
overloading the power supplies that supply my modem?

The supplies seem to run hot, and I had three cheap light bulbs go
out
just over the last month when the lamp was plugged into the same
outlet strip.

Any ideas on what changes to make would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Isalnd, New York.

You might have a problem with the neutral. Measure the AC volts at the
outlet wihere the modem fails. I suspect its considerably higher than
120 and IF it's a neutral problem (connections loose) you probably
have low voltage on the other leg. Get an electrician.

G˛