Electrical Issue?

[Steel Panther]

What's causing me to keep blowing my breaker? (I've had this setup for 2-3 years without issue -- until 2 days ago)

Outlet #1: TV/Cable Box/Sound Bar/PS4/Blu Ray/HTPC/Air Conditioner) (no more than 2-3 are on at once)

Outlet #2: Laptop

Outlet #3: Phone/Tablet Charger

Outlet #4: PC/2 USB HDs/Printer/Speakers/Monitor/Router/VoiP/Phone/Modem)

Obviously the only Super Power user is the Air Conditioner...

With ONLY the TV/Cable/Sound Bar and PC on (printer is off) w/ Air... every 20 minutes or so, the breaker switch blows. but doesn't do it right away. Unplugged (not just turned off) the HTPC, and BluRay and Laptop ... Still does it.

The PC however, occasionally freezes up after its in sleep mode or shuts itself off in the middle of the night, not when in use..

I've bought a new Power Supply for the PC, but looking for a 3rd opinion on it, as I've asked a PC guy and he's pretty sure the Power Supply is going.

If it's a wiring thing, I gotta get the maintenance guys up here to fix that ASAP.

[sk33tr]

i would definitely get a licensed electrician out to test the wiring and the circuit breaker itself. if it's just the circuit breaker, that's an easy, inexpensive fix. if it's the wiring, obviously there will be more money and time involved.

an electrician should be able to test the continuity in the line from the circuit breaker to the outlet to make sure it's getting a good electrical signal all the way through.

whatever you do, get it checked soon. if the circuit decides not to clip and the line stays hot but overloaded, it could cause an electrical fire.

[Steel Panther]

Originally Posted by sk33tr

i would definitely get a licensed electrician out to test the wiring and the circuit breaker itself. if it's just the circuit breaker, that's an easy, inexpensive fix. if it's the wiring, obviously there will be more money and time involved.

an electrician should be able to test the continuity in the line from the circuit breaker to the outlet to make sure it's getting a good electrical signal all the way through.

whatever you do, get it checked soon. if the circuit decides not to clip and the line stays hot but overloaded, it could cause an electrical fire.

i don't pay for repairs here =P ... but yeah, I'll be getting a workorder to get this looked at early in the week and minimize air usage to try and keep things from getting overheated...

Thanks.

[sk33tr]

Originally Posted by Steel Panther

i don't pay for repairs here =P ... but yeah, I'll be getting a workorder to get this looked at early in the week and minimize air usage to try and keep things from getting overheated...

Thanks.

well that's awesome!

and i'm jealous.

[Lemmy Lugosi]

Have your electrician install a higher-rated breaker. Worked for me, and my issues were super-high-watt, my friend!

[mywxrld]

Originally Posted by Lemmy Lugosi

Have your electrician install a higher-rated breaker. Worked for me, and my issues were super-high-watt, my friend!

I wouldn't recommend this unless the wire is rated for the higher amperage. This could lead to bigger and more serious problems later on.

[Ace_BB6]

Originally Posted by Lemmy Lugosi

Have your electrician install a higher-rated breaker. Worked for me, and my issues were super-high-watt, my friend!

Worst electrical advice ever. LOL

Increasing the breaker does not solve anything. As already stated, you have to upgrade the wire as well and the appropriate outlet. I believe that's not even code.

[Steel Panther]

No blown breakers yet since replacing the Power Supply. =P

.. the bad news is.. computer was freezing.. then I realized I blindly hooked up all the fans wrong =P ... put em all back together, works .... then... froze.. reset it.. frozen an hour or so later... then froze in the middle of the night...

replaced video card now with a spare one ... hasn't frozen in 7 hours or so.

Now I think my motherboard is dying .... I turn on the computer, it doesn't beep (hasn't for awhile) but now I see a red light come on, then shut off and it boots fine... tower has no speaker, so its always used the MoBo speaker.

The piss off? Warranty on all the parts expired 3 months ago, almost to the day =(

[sk33tr]

Originally Posted by Ace_BB6

Worst electrical advice ever. LOL

Increasing the breaker does not solve anything. As already stated, you have to upgrade the wire as well and the appropriate outlet. I believe that's not even code.

exactly.

if you put in a higher-rated breaker then the amperage needed to "trip" that breaker will be higher. if the amps go too high for the wires but not high enough to trip the breaker, it could cause the coating on the wires to heat up, melt and possibly cause a fire inside the wall.

breakers are there to trip so the whole house's wiring system isn't overloaded. it's the same process as a fuse in a car. they're there to blow so the car doesn't go up in flames. and yes, a 12 volt system in a car CAN cause a fire, i've seen it happen.



please know i'm not trying to be an ass, i'm just trying to offer some advice and help.

[Lemmy Lugosi]

Originally Posted by mywxrld

I wouldn't recommend this unless the wire is rated for the higher amperage. This could lead to bigger and more serious problems later on.

That's why you have a certified electrician do it! Be sure it's someone you can trust with those details. My guy is that good.