That is not what a GFCI does. But that is what many 'know' by not learning basics. Same myths also claim a missing safety ground causes supply damage. Why do GFCIs come with labels that read "No Equipment Ground"? Because GFCIs are designed for use on two wire circuits - no safety ground. GFCI provides a three prong receptacle for the OP's computer when only two wire circuits exist. GFCIs only need safety ground if one believes hearsay rather than learns code and learn how a GFCI works. Please stop promoting that myth. Why does every GFCI come with a label that reads "No Equipment Ground"? Because GFCIs used on circuits without safety grounds also require that label. Because the code required that label when GFCIs are used on circuits without safety ground. Read code, as I requested, before posting: Article 406.3(D)3 Because of how a GFCI works, no safety ground is required. Using a computer on a two wire circuit with a GFCI does not cause power supply damage. Scary is so many who post hearsay; do not first learn facts.
is completely irrelevant to the OP's questions. Does not explain his supply failures. And still legal. Just not used by more responsible builders. Aluminun wiring is completely irreelvant to the OP's supply failures. Vize - ungrounded receptables do not cause supply failures. UPS does not protect nor claim to protect a supply. A supply must be so robust as to make irrelevant 'dirtiest' power from a UPS. Vize - do you have any further information for another answers? Do you have any relevant questions?
Take a few electrical classes....lol. Ungrounded recepticals are subject to arc'ing...which does in fact damage electronics. PROVEN FACT... geezus. Offense intended, but you're little more than a troll. IF it doesn't fit YOUR, completely unproven and mostly inaccurate beliefs, you claim it's irrelevent. I even provided pictures of the damage that arcing can cause....as well as a link to the thread they were originally posted in.... The arc'ing that resulted in the damage, was a direct result of an ungrounded circuit.
westom is correct regarding 406.3(D), I have done this several times in older residences that were originally wired with 2-wire NMB. Also, the reason aluminum wire is not used is not because of "1. As the building settles, the connections have a tendency to become loose or the wire broken.", it is because as current is drawn through the conductor, aluminum heats up and expands. When the current is removed, the conductor cools and contracts. After many, many repetitions, the connections become loose. As any electrician knows, the most prominent failure point of any circuit is the connections. To achieve a proper electrical connection, a solid mechanical connection is essential. Improper mechanical connections result in excess current through the connections which leads to overheating, and in extreme cases, fire.
Show me in the code, exactly where it specifies the type of wiring or outlet required specifically for a computer, since he claims it's stated in the code. To my knowledge, the only code that specifies an outlet or wiring "standard" for any specific electrical device, is from OSHA. @OP, if you're still reading this thread at this point. Get the room wired properly and if you feel the need to, pickup an Active PFC UPS. If you're using a proper power supply, this will ensure that it's receiving stable/clean power. If you're using a cheap, low quality or insufficient power supply, this won't do anything to extend it's life. A UPS like this one: CyberPower Adaptive Sinewave Series CP1350PFCLCD is probably going to be your best bet. I personally wouldn't go below 810watts/1350VA source: http://www.cyberpowersystems.com/products/ups-systems/adaptive-sinewave-series/CP1350PFCLCD.html
wow, in the middle of the US here and code or not I get lighninig strikes gallor in the summer and have nothing but a power strip on my rig and have never gotten one blown pc ( 4 in the house by the way )
I agree, all a normal computer+monitor needs is about a 600VA-700VA. Here is the one I'm planning on picking up soon: http://www.advicepower.com/Productdetails.aspx?PID=1610&PcatID=905
How many times must it be stated? A NEMA15-5 plug on a computer can connect to two defined circuits. A three wire circuit to a three prong receptacle. Or a two wire circuit powered via a GFCI. Relevant to the OP: neither will create power supply damage. This thread serves no further purpose to an OP who was probably driven off long ago by so much misinformation. And by insults posted to mask irrelevant statements (ie new construction, arcing, aluminum wire, earth, UPS, etc) and insufficient electrical knowledge.
Of course. Destructive transients occur typically once every seven years. A number that can vary significantly based upon environmental factors including trees, geology, how AC wires are routed, nearby structures, etc. For example, some years after the WTC came down, something strange happened in that part of Manhattan. Someone was struck by lightning. Some locations may suffer a surge once every three years. Some many never suffer a surge in 20 years. Furthermore, protection already inside appliances is often superior to anything inside a power strip protector. To promote sales, myths will claim surges occur hourly or daily. How many times a day do you replace dimmer switches, digital clocks, bathroom GFCIs, and other devices that typically have less protection than a computer? International design standards around 1970 required 120 volt electronics to withstand 600 volts without damage. ATX specs for computers raised that numbers to thousands of volts. All appliances contain serious protection. Even 'dirtiest' power from a UPS in battery backup mode causes no damage because a supply must be so robust. Your concern is a rare transient that might overwhelm that protection. A transient that may occur once every xx years - xx is unique to your venue.
Actually, the UPS rating is based on the total power draw of the electronic devices connected to it. In my case, a 600-700VA UPS, would be overdrawn. Typical consumer grade 600-700VA UPS units only output 300-400watts. My system, at full load...draws more than 400watts and can damage a UPS rated at 700VA or lower. So, suggesting a UPS capable of outputting 810watts (1350VA) is not overkill. In fact my last system, at full load, could pull upwards of 625watts as per a kilowatt meter. Based solely on all the false information you've posted in other threads..(including MY thread last August)..without links to sources or proof, you can post it until the zombie apocalypse finally occurs, it holds absolutely zero weight. Quite frankly, it doesn't matter if you tell me the sky is blue, the sun is bright and the planet is called Earth. Coming from YOU, without proof it means nothing. yawn.... got any actual PROOF...or just more of your typical made-up BS? wow....still on this "UPS provides the 'dirtiest' power in battery mode" bull****? Last I checked, this was proven wrong....numerous times. Also, I don't know what marketing BS you're looking at, but I've yet to see any company claim that surges happen hourly....
No, you're confusing "I think I know things" with "the other guy knows nothing". The purpose of the UPSes that run the fridge, is to last the few seconds it takes for the generator to start, etc. The UPS is just postponing the problem for those powerhungry devices (which, btw, is far less powerhungry than my workstation). I'm not confused when it comes to backup power, as a matter of fact it used to be a pretty big part of my job (when I worked in the telco industry). //Svein
That is not what I said, as you well know. Regarding OSHA, enlighten me a little; do OSHA regulations apply to private residences?
OSHA = Occupational Safety and Health Administration. But, they do have electrical codes intended to provide the safest possible work environment when dealing with electrical devices. I'm aware of what you said. You stated that westom is "correct" about code section 406.3(D)....which, he was only partially correct due to the fact he altered the actual code for his purposes. The code does not specifically state the type of outlet or wiring required for a computer, specifically, as he claims. It specifies the type of wiring or outlet required for electrical devices. As I've told him on a few occassions, altering the statement to fit his "needs"...makes the statement false. It doesn't matter if the statement is altered to fit the situation, it's still a falsified statement. Being half correct about 1 thing, doesn't negate the fact that the OP needs to have an electrician take a look at, and if need be, correct wiring issues. The frequency in which the OP claims to be losing power supplies makes the household wiring questionable, until inspected by a trained/licensed professional. Telling the OP otherwise is irresponsible.
I am quite aware of what the acronym stands for, having had to deal with their regulations on job sites. My question was whether or not they have jurisdiction in a private residence where no commercial or industrial activity is present. I am actually not reading it that way, but I suppose one may interpret as one wishes... To be clear; my assertion is that westom is correct inasmuch as a GFCI receptacle is required where no grounding conductor is present, in order to use a three prong (NEMA 5-15) cord end. Again, I did not read it that way, but perhaps westom could have been more concise. After re-reading the statements made, I honestly do not arrive at the same conclusion that you have. I agree that the OP should have a qualified person check the circuit(s). Also, there were other erroneous statements made in this thread... just saying.
OP was told that a receptacle without safety ground caused his power supply failures. Stated again because some did not read what was posted. A computer with a NEMA 15-5 plug can be powered from a three prong outlet on a three wire circiuit. Or from a GFCI on a two wire circuit. Neither causes power supply damage. The OP was encouraged to find a tech who actually knows how electricity works. Who can say what part was damaged inside each supply. Best evidence is always the dead body. Supplies are not damaged by two wire circuits. But that is often believed along with other popular urban myths. Such as supply damage from alumimum wiring, a need for earthing, UPS protects a supply, Article 406.3 only applies to Iowa City, or GFCIs need a safety ground. OP's question is the only relevant topic. I have no idea why anyone would be posting nonsense about new house construction or OHSA requirements. None of that was relevant to the OP's post about supplies damaged by a missing ground. "Posting relevant means defining why a missing safety ground causes power supply damage. It doesn't." Simply repeating again what so many ignored to be offensive. Nothing posted said code requires a computer to be powered from a NEMA 15-5 plug. Some people only read what they want to see. Supplies, powered by a NEMA 15-5 plug, must never be damaged by a missing safety ground. Why is that so difficult? So many inappropriate posts are justififed by urban myths or by reading what was not posted. A poster who made most false accusations also said his purpose is to be offensive. Apparently he has successfully driven off the OP. A missing safety ground does not cause power supply damage. Power from two wire circuits does not explain power supply failures.
lol, you're right....your exact words were: You claim the code specifically states the circuit or outlet type requirement for a computer....which is a flat out lie. wow....you read 1 line from a single post and immediately apply it to all posts....lol. Yes, I intended to offend you by calling you a troll...which you are. You post information that is either partially inaccurate or just completely false, while claiming anything posted by anyone else is "irrelevent". You've repeated claimed that UPS's in general output the "dirtiest" power, which is completely false. Any quality UPS has circuits designed to ensure the UPS outputs the cleanest power possible under all conditions. In fact, the UPS I linked to in a previous post has been shown to output a power signal nearly identical to that of a typical A/C power circuit, while in battery mode. But of course, if you'd take the time to do a little reseach, you might accidentally post accurate information instead of your usual BS. I requested you to provide a source early in this thread, which to this point you've completely refused. This is not the first time this has taken place. You've refused every request to site a source of information. The OP was not told that by anyone on this forum. That was never stated on this forum either.... wow....he's my exact statements in regards to my post as to "new construction wiring"....which explains pretty clearly for anyone who can comprehend English, why I bothered posting it......as well as my exact statement concerning Iowa City Electrical codes...and my reasoning for asking for a specific source, which you refused to give. You really should learn how to read and comprehend English.... I don't want codes posted on a state website, I want the actual National Electrical Codes as a source, which you were asked to provide and STILL refuse.... Without sources (when requested), nothing you post should be consider credible by anyone.
