Low voltage shutdown?

AlonsoF · Feb 2, 2007, 06:26 PM

Approximately how low could voltage go on a household current before a machine decides to turn itself off (go dead).

A client of mine is having random turn-off issues and I cannot find any hardware or software reason of this. Their entire house is on two 20A breakers and I'm wondering if this is the issue.

The machine is blown out and is fairly new so dust/heat isn't the problem. PSU rails look good along with multi-meter readings.

Thanks!

Judas · Feb 2, 2007, 06:29 PM

AlonsoF, have you ran the system steady without issue at your own place.. and it's only occuring at thiers?

if so, the entire house is running off 2 20Amp breakers? (my gaud that seems low)

Is that 240v or 120v? It's it's 240v with total 40amps, that seems rather decent (bit of the lower side, but still plenty for a typical home), but if it's 120v, that's a very exceptionally low amperage.

Is it an appartment, what else is running on the circut that the computer is on.... I've seen some computers shutdown due to a furnace/water heater/fridge cutting in on the same circut, hell even a microwave.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Feb 6, 2007, 08:09 PM

This depends on your PSU. Active PFC psu's will take 90VAC no problem, but ones without ActivePFC will fail as low as 100 sometimes.

It would have to be low enough to cause damage and failed operation to other household appliances though... around 90VAC-100VAC.

Typically the power in my area is pretty crappy and I get alot of blackouts but when its all working properly I typically see voltages of 105VAC-110VAC and everything runs fine (machines plugged into the wall etc).

Of course having a UPS to make sure your machine doesn't experience bad power is always a good idea.

BTW I agree with Judas 40A @ 120VAC is pretty low.

Feb 2, 2007, 06:26 PM	#1
AlonsoF DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Low voltage shutdown? Approximately how low could voltage go on a household current before a machine decides to turn itself off (go dead). A client of mine is having random turn-off issues and I cannot find any hardware or software reason of this. Their entire house is on two 20A breakers and I'm wondering if this is the issue. The machine is blown out and is fairly new so dust/heat isn't the problem. PSU rails look good along with multi-meter readings. Thanks! __________________ Free bet Inspirational Quotes best credit cards offset mortgage

Feb 6, 2007, 08:09 PM	#3
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	This depends on your PSU. Active PFC psu's will take 90VAC no problem, but ones without ActivePFC will fail as low as 100 sometimes. It would have to be low enough to cause damage and failed operation to other household appliances though... around 90VAC-100VAC. Typically the power in my area is pretty crappy and I get alot of blackouts but when its all working properly I typically see voltages of 105VAC-110VAC and everything runs fine (machines plugged into the wall etc). Of course having a UPS to make sure your machine doesn't experience bad power is always a good idea. BTW I agree with Judas 40A @ 120VAC is pretty low.