Will UPS solve my problem?

[Autocons]

Hi HWZ community,

I am facing this issue:

(TL;DR ver)
In my room, i have my PC set-up & Mini-fridge. Occasionally the fridge makes a sound & my monitor goes black for a few secs. Will UPS solve the power surge problem?

Full description:
I have a fridge in my room and my PC set up. As normal fridges go, there will be the compressor sound as it functions and occasionally, as the compressor reaches its 'peak', i will hear a click sound and my PC monitor will black out for a few seconds, then come back as normal.

The CPU doesnt shut down, nothing is lost, only my screen goes black for awhile.

My friend suggested i get a UPS for my PC to plug into and it into the wall socket.

Will the UPS solve this 'power surge' issue and prevent my screen from going black and my fridge staying operational and provide cool drinks?

Thanks!

P.S. I found this at challenger, is this it?

 

[SHIKSHINISM!♥'24']

Sorry to crash TS tread. But this UPS thingy just opened up my eyes. Went to research but can't seem to find related topics for Singapore. So is a surge protector or a UPS necessary to protect my PC components in Singapore? Like what if suay suay lightning strike my house then blackout? Will buying a surge protector actually help?

 

[mangopudding]

Sorry to crash TS tread. But this UPS thingy just opened up my eyes. Went to research but can't seem to find related topics for Singapore. So is a surge protector or a UPS necessary to protect my PC components in Singapore? Like what if suay suay lightning strike my house then blackout? Will buying a surge protector actually help?

My house got once strike by lightning nearby, blow 2 of my routers.

I went to research briefly about it, lightning cannot siam one. The only way is to create something that has less resistance from the lightning to the ground. But still this does not gurantee your products will be protected, just a way for the lightning to go to the ground asap, without going through your devices.

How to Protect Your Home from Lightning

If lightning hits your house or nearby power lines, it can follow the wiring or phone lines into your home — ruining computers, TVs, stereos and other electronics. Your homeowner’s insurance may or may not cover damage from lightning. But one safeguard against electronics being “fried” by lightning is simply to unplug them whenever you’re expecting rain or a storm. Disconnect Internet, antenna and satellite-dish connections, even if your TV antenna is grounded (connected to the Earth by metal wires or cables so electricity has a quick path to the soil).

Surge protectors help protect equipment from power spikes (and distant lightning strikes that hit the electrical grid). But nearby lightning is so powerful it can jump through surge protectors. It’s been known to jump across an entire room (called side-flashing). When this happens, anything — or anyone — in its path could be in danger.

Surge protection from what i know is to prevent slightly only, such as lightning strike other house from distance, and there is left over surges and it flows through the grid, it prevents slightly only.

UPS is more of a backup battery thing, and somewhat regulates the voltage to have a constant volt flowing through it.

 

[mangopudding]

TS, how many things plug into the 1 wall socket(includes those that you split into multiplugs? is it overloading?

 

[jtjt00]

TS, how many things plug into the 1 wall socket(includes those that you split into multiplugs? is it overloading?

Suspect this may be the case with TS power surge issue.

 

[Autocons]

Guys... what about my issue?

 

[eliteFX]

Is your fridge very old?

 

[phayze]

If your monitor blackout is due to voltage drop, then UPS can resolve this issue.

 

[Autocons]

If your monitor blackout is due to voltage drop, then UPS can resolve this issue.

Does my issue sound like a voltage drop? Cos im not too sure myself..

Is your fridge very old?

Nope its only a few months old..

 

[kandinsky]

@Autocons

How old is the electrical wiring in your room?
Is everything plugged direct socket or using extension strip? If using extension, try going direct (at least for PC and fridge) to see if it makes a difference.

I think you have to just buy and try, cos too many variables, hard for anyone to tell you whether a UPS / surge protector will solve your issue for sure.

Last resort: Move the fridge out!


------------

There are people with similar issues. See this thread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/385710-33-monitor-blinks-turning-lights

Note that one of the posters mentioned that a UPS didn't help.

What cable are you using for your monitor? One of the suggestions from that thread asked to try swapping out the video cable, as their issue was caused by a poorly shielded HDMI cable.

Another suggestion is to try to ensure your fridge and PC are not on the same circuit. If your room only has one circuit, may need to get an electrician to fix another set of points connecting to a new circuit.

I've decided this problem is that a device on a circuit is causing a sudden voltage drop- that the system protective circuits interprets as a power surge or failure. In my example an old and inefficient fluorescent light. My solution was very simple: make sure the system is plugged into a different circuit than the one that includes the device that causes the problem. Try your system on a heavy outdoor (low resistance) extension cord running to the furthest outlet in the room or even to the next room. My problem was solved using an outlet in the same room on the wall opposite the wall with the fluorescent light's switch.

via: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/385710-33-monitor-blinks-turning-lights/page-2#15109513

----------------

When the fridge turns on (some) and when (some) ovens start their capacitors pull a ton of voltage to start the motor/function needed.

If these are on the same circuit as your TV this is a pretty big issue and the fluctuations could cause damage to your TV circuit board over time.

Even if these aren't on the same circuit your TV is getting a voltage fluctuation from the main circuit. Your TV having intelligence built in probably has its own way of handling these fluctuations - with one turning off some extraneous functions... like HDMI working.

HDMI cables work or don't. If yours is showing a picture then getting a "better" one won't help.

What I would do? First make sure that your TV is not on the same circuit as the fridge and stove. In some places this wouldn't meet code and it certainly isn't good for the electronics.

If they are not on the same circuit then you may need to call the electric company and figure out if they have anything that is causing fluctuations on your line when something high voltage is plugged in. They may fix the issue or offer suggestions - and a lot of times this is free. If the electric company believes it is an issue on your side you will need to troubleshoot why you have this interference - usually a loose connection in the main box.

http://diy.stackexchange.com/questi...turn-black-when-electrical-appliances-turn-on

 

[Wongpk]

Hi HWZ community,

I am facing this issue:

(TL;DR ver)
In my room, i have my PC set-up & Mini-fridge. Occasionally the fridge makes a sound & my monitor goes black for a few secs. Will UPS solve the power surge problem?

Full description:
I have a fridge in my room and my PC set up. As normal fridges go, there will be the compressor sound as it functions and occasionally, as the compressor reaches its 'peak', i will hear a click sound and my PC monitor will black out for a few seconds, then come back as normal.

The CPU doesnt shut down, nothing is lost, only my screen goes black for awhile.

My friend suggested i get a UPS for my PC to plug into and it into the wall socket.

Will the UPS solve this 'power surge' issue and prevent my screen from going black and my fridge staying operational and provide cool drinks?

Thanks!
[/IMG]

when monitor got Power outage of course the UPS will switch to using DC supply and prevent the screen from going black

 

[Autocons]

@Autocons

How old is the electrical wiring in your room?
Is everything plugged direct socket or using extension strip? If using extension, try going direct (at least for PC and fridge) to see if it makes a difference.

I think you have to just buy and try, cos too many variables, hard for anyone to tell you whether a UPS / surge protector will solve your issue for sure.

Last resort: Move the fridge out!


------------

There are people with similar issues. See this thread:
Monitor Blinks when turning lights off - Graphics Cards - Graphics & Displays

Note that one of the posters mentioned that a UPS didn't help.

What cable are you using for your monitor? One of the suggestions from that thread asked to try swapping out the video cable, as their issue was caused by a poorly shielded HDMI cable.

Another suggestion is to try to ensure your fridge and PC are not on the same circuit. If your room only has one circuit, may need to get an electrician to fix another set of points connecting to a new circuit.



----------------

The wiring is about 4 years old? But i think its the same circuit cos the electrician told me before. Okay thanks for the help!

 

[Autocons]

when monitor got Power outage of course the UPS will switch to using DC supply and prevent the screen from going black

Hmmm okay thanks! Will probably buy and just try

 

[westom]

Hmmm okay thanks! Will probably buy and just try

You can learn this now or the hard way. Due to advertising, most anomalies are a surge to naive consumers. Many replies make themselves obvious. A recommendation without any numbers. You do not have a surge. The refrigerator is creating noise. Power supply in the computer is so robust as to completely ignore it. Power supply in the monitor is seeing that noise and temporarily losing its digital signal.

A UPS has one purpose. Temporary and 'dirty' power during a blackout. It does nothing to protect hardware. It protects unsaved data.

Clearning power from a UPS exists when not in battery backup mode. Because the UPS connects computer and monitor directly to AC mains.

A UPS will not avert that noise. In fact, a UPS also creates noise when switching to battery. So long after the noise has happened, will a UPS switch to battery? Of course not. The noise is so quick as to be ignored.

Many reasons can explain that noise. One may be a failed snubber circuit in the refrigerator (age has little to do with whether it makes noise). Another might be a compromised safety ground, It can test good but the wire is loose.

Either way, do not cure its symptoms (ie UPS on computer). Cure the problem. If a refrigerator is creating noise (maybe as much as a few tens of volts), then a solution is in or attaced to that refrigerator. Ie a series mode filter.

Again, numbers. Noise can be a single digit volt or larger. What does a surge protector do? It ignores everything until a transient exceeds many hundreds of volts. But again, naive consumers are quickly identified. Recommend without numbers. Some will recommend a surge protector do what what numbers demonstrate cannot happen. Same applies to a UPS.

Useful replies also say why with numbers. Cure the problem; not its symptoms.

 

[Autocons]

You can learn this now or the hard way. Due to advertising, most anomalies are a surge to naive consumers. Many replies make themselves obvious. A recommendation without any numbers. You do not have a surge. The refrigerator is creating noise. Power supply in the computer is so robust as to completely ignore it. Power supply in the monitor is seeing that noise and temporarily losing its digital signal.

A UPS has one purpose. Temporary and 'dirty' power during a blackout. It does nothing to protect hardware. It protects unsaved data.

Clearning power from a UPS exists when not in battery backup mode. Because the UPS connects computer and monitor directly to AC mains.

A UPS will not avert that noise. In fact, a UPS also creates noise when switching to battery. So long after the noise has happened, will a UPS switch to battery? Of course not. The noise is so quick as to be ignored.

Many reasons can explain that noise. One may be a failed snubber circuit in the refrigerator (age has little to do with whether it makes noise). Another might be a compromised safety ground, It can test good but the wire is loose.

Either way, do not cure its symptoms (ie UPS on computer). Cure the problem. If a refrigerator is creating noise (maybe as much as a few tens of volts), then a solution is in or attaced to that refrigerator. Ie a series mode filter.

Again, numbers. Noise can be a single digit volt or larger. What does a surge protector do? It ignores everything until a transient exceeds many hundreds of volts. But again, naive consumers are quickly identified. Recommend without numbers. Some will recommend a surge protector do what what numbers demonstrate cannot happen. Same applies to a UPS.

Useful replies also say why with numbers. Cure the problem; not its symptoms.

Thanks man that helps alot

 

[Mikiberry]

Thanks man that helps alot

TS, I hope you not getting trolled. Go view his posts, 100% are technical gibberish with no substantiating support...

 

[Autocons]

TS, I hope you not getting trolled. Go view his posts, 100% are technical gibberish with no substantiating support...

Haha i know. He says numbers but i dont see any given. Well im taking advice from everyone here. He does have a point about fixing the problem not the symptoms. So i switched out what my computer is plugged into, replaced extension cords and multiplugs and then will do trial tests to see if the problem persists

 

[alamakazim]

a simple solution... could be use another power point.... try it on the pc or affected equipment..... it might just help

 

[recca85]

To me, it seems like your fridge use too much power when compressor is turned on.
Normally, most of us connect fridge to a single power point.
The blackout of monitor is a temporary sudden usage of electricity and took a few seconds to recover from your grid. I don't think the socket or your extension is blowed as the A should be still low.
Since only your monitor is affected, you can just try to get the smallest UPS. UPS is big and heavy as the KVA increases.
Normally, people use UPS as they cannot allow the machine to be down, and the size of the UPS typically can last 1-2 hours until they can get power back.
For more sensitive equipment, higher end of UPS is needed, eg voltage sensitivity, quality of power etc.
Your pic shows 500VA/300W. divided by 230V, should give you slightly more than 1 hour of battery life

 

[westom]

Well im taking advice from everyone here. He does have a point about fixing the problem not the symptoms. So i switched out what my computer is plugged into, replaced extension cords and multiplugs and then will do trial tests to see if the problem persists

Relevant numbers were provided.

Noise can be a single digit volt or larger. What does a surge protector do? It ignores everything until a transient exceeds many hundreds of volts.

That noise could explain a drop out. Those numbers explained why neither a UPS nor protector solves that anomaly.

Meanwhile, switching power points or extension cords assume a voltage that drops too low. If true, it is quickly identified with a light bulb. Electronics are pefectly happy even when a light bulb dims to 50% intensity (another number). If extension cord or wiring to a power point is defective, then an incandescent bulb quickly identified what can also be a serious threat to human life. The bulb can quickly identify what sparky must fix.

Again a UPS was recommended only to cure a symptom. If a bulb dims more than 50% (or even just slightly), then a UPS would provide temporary and dirty power. But that does not cure the problem. Only cures symptoms of what (in rare cases) might also be a serious human safety problem.

Electronics are so robust that even hundreds of volt spikes and lights dimming to 50% intensity cause no problems. Sensitive electronics is a myth that can only exist when numbers are ignored. In fact, some of the 'dirtiest' power seen by electronics comes from a UPS in battery backup mode. Power so 'dirty' as to be potentially harmful to motorized appliances. And perfectly ideal for electronics.