Power surges / sags

[CluelessBOB]

Can anyone tell me if there is a cheap and simple device I can use to
record the level of power spikes/sags on my mains supply?

We're having all sorts of weird problems with UPS boxes triggering
server shutdowns and other pieces of equipment inexplicably resetting
and it would be good to be able to pinpoint the source of the problem.

I've been searching with google but, apart from some very complex
looking professional equipment, I've not been able to find anything.

Any help greatly appreciated!




--
CluelessBOB

 

[ian field]

"CluelessBOB" <CluelessBOB.2ea0c08@diybanter.com> wrote in message
news:CluelessBOB.2ea0c08@diybanter.com...

Can anyone tell me if there is a cheap and simple device I can use to
record the level of power spikes/sags on my mains supply?

We're having all sorts of weird problems with UPS boxes triggering
server shutdowns and other pieces of equipment inexplicably resetting
and it would be good to be able to pinpoint the source of the problem.

I've been searching with google but, apart from some very complex
looking professional equipment, I've not been able to find anything.

Any help greatly appreciated!




--
CluelessBOB

There are a few companies marketing data loggers (Pico scope might be one of
them) these usually connect via USB to a PC - a laptop kept topped up by its
charger might be more stable on dodgy mains.

You'd probably have to construct a voltage divider to reduce the mains
voltage to a level that suits the logger's input capacity, another option
you could consider is mains surge suppressors, you can get a variety of
types from stores like Maplin or Focus etc, the 3 main commercial types I've
seen are 4 or 6 way surge protected extension blocks, maplin stock these and
a 13A plug/socket module - a surge suppressor that inserts between the plug
and wall socket and Lidl stores had a "blind" suppressor module that you
plug in anywhere on a ring main to protect anything plugged into that ring.
Its fortunately rare for mains spikes to cause damage but they often cause
computer freezes or random re-booting.

 

[Yukio YANO]

CluelessBOB wrote:

Can anyone tell me if there is a cheap and simple device I can use to
record the level of power spikes/sags on my mains supply?

We're having all sorts of weird problems with UPS boxes triggering
server shutdowns and other pieces of equipment inexplicably resetting
and it would be good to be able to pinpoint the source of the problem.

I've been searching with google but, apart from some very complex
looking professional equipment, I've not been able to find anything.

Any help greatly appreciated!




Start by finding a Competent Electrician and have him check for a bad or

Floating Neutral Buss, since it seems to be system-wide. This would a
simple explanation for Spikes and Sags !

Yukio YANO

 

[Sjouke Burry]

CluelessBOB wrote:

Can anyone tell me if there is a cheap and simple device I can use to
record the level of power spikes/sags on my mains supply?

We're having all sorts of weird problems with UPS boxes triggering
server shutdowns and other pieces of equipment inexplicably resetting
and it would be good to be able to pinpoint the source of the problem.

I've been searching with google but, apart from some very complex
looking professional equipment, I've not been able to find anything.

Any help greatly appreciated!




Any cheap pc with sound card??

Just get any small transformer, say 6 volt out, divide that by
two resistors down to 0.3 volts, apply it to the line input of
the sound card, and start recording the waveform.

 

[Jerry G.]

A proper, accurate, and reliable power recorder/monitor is expensive.
Call in a contractor that specializes in electric power evaluation. He
can give you a proper and accurate documentation of the fault.

One thing to note, is that with UPS's, the battery life averages about
3 to 4 years. As the batteries age, they can become less stable, and
not able to hold their proper charge under load. You may find that
the UPS's require their batteries to be changed.

In our facility and with our clients, we change the batteries about
every 2 years to have high reliability.



Jerry G.




On Aug 14, 11:26 am, CluelessBOB <CluelessBOB.2ea0...@diybanter.com>
wrote:

Can anyone tell me if there is a cheap and simple device I can use to
record the level of power spikes/sags on my mains supply?

We're having all sorts of weird problems with UPS boxes triggering
server shutdowns and other pieces of equipment inexplicably resetting
and it would be good to be able to pinpoint the source of the problem.

I've been searching with google but, apart from some very complex
looking professional equipment, I've not been able to find anything.

Any help greatly appreciated!

--
CluelessBOB