Operatiom Delta changes to Weekly Subject

[greengoose1]

Operation Delta was drifting as a ship without a rudder and quickly sinking as a useful part of the Hardware Forum. We learned alot, The Queen of Hearts built a computer that came up without a glitch and what is important here is she knew nothing about computers last October, much less building them. The knowledable mainstays of Operation Delta will still be here. Bistro and Train did an excellent job in Operation Delta and will continue to be here. There is also new blood just chomping at the bit to help explain and more importantly answer your questions so you can grow in knowledge. They are Kallikru, JTDoom, DrMDJ, Dodge, Goldust, Maxxmilian, Theoran, and The Moderators(they don't know it yet. Thought I'd just draft them). Then there are those that lurk in the background and join in when needed and I will leave them nameless for now.

For those of you with suggestions for our topics please EMail me at [email protected] . This is different than my profile address. Comments for improvements should also be sent here.

The Weekly Subject threads will be for those getting started with hardware and want to learn more about it. As before we have a little fun also. We consider no question a dumb question so do ask away. And don't be afraid to say something if you don't understand the answer. Until you understand the answer to your question, you really do not have an answer.

The interim transition subject for the week ending Friday May 25, 2001 is Surge Protection. What is it. Do you need it. Here are a few comments we have reccived to get you started.

Spike - A large momentary increase in the amount of voltage or amperage supplied to the circuitry.
Surge - An unusually large increase in power coming into the circuit. ex: Lighting
With a supply of 120V the powersupply outputs 12V and 3V. But with a spike of 240v it outputs 24V and 6V which will fry a motherboard and other components in a computer.

How do Spikes & Surges get on Power, Phone & Signal Lines
Lightning is the most common cause of Spikes and Surges on Power, Phone & Signal Lines. While most common and most severe in summer, Lightning has been observed during snow storms.
Surges, transients and spikes caused by lightning spread throughout the Power company network, affecting equipment over large areas. You could be in a clear, sunny environment - yet a storm miles away could induce high energy spikes / transients / surges to cause you grief.
Contrary to popular belief, lightning does not need to strike a power, phone or monitor line to cause extremely high voltage spikes, transients and surges. Lightning between clouds can set up a significant magnetic fields which may induce surges - causing significant damage.
Power and Phone lines are out of our control, so we have to accept what Mother Nature serves up. Network, Data, Control, Monitor and Signal lines should be kept as short and direct as possible. Lines as short as 20 feet have picked up significant spike voltage from lightning. Short signal, monitor or data lines in close proximity to power cabling (such as a raceway, conduit or interior wall) have often had equipment damage or disruption from induced spikes, transients and surges.
The second most common cause of Power, Phone & Signal Line Spikes and Surges is the electrical system operated by your friendly utility company.

Severe surges can be generated at your local power company switching station. These large, severe spikes and surges affect equipment many miles distant from the station.
Power lines also pick up transient spikes from connected electrical machinery, appliances and power company operating equipment. Even common household items such as air conditioners and furnaces have been found to generate 1,000 Volt spikes. Power Line caused spikes occur year round, but generally are more severe in Winter.
Phone lines are often placed in parallel, and quite close, to Power lines. Spikes / Surges existing on Power Lines are very easily coupled into Phone lines.
Spikes & surges of moderate to severe intensity (1,000 to 5,000 Volts) have been observed in all locales on earth every month of the year.

Train made some good points in protecting the system from spikes. (We're talking about low to medium spikes here...) Look for a computer grade power strip--the higher joule rating the better (usually advertised right on the box). (Of course, this is not to be confused with "royal" or "family" joules--which also should be protected at all costs).
A good setup is a Universal Power Supply (UPS) plugged into a good power strip; the strip plugged into the outlet. An additional power strip can be plugged into the primary strip or UPS for running any other power requirements such as speakers, etc.). The UPS can protect against brownouts, blackouts and mild spikes so you don't lose any data--gives you a few minutes to save and shut down.
However, as Train said, there's nothing out there that will protect against a lightning strike. Ever see a tree or a power transformer that's been hit? The best protection there is to keep a watch on the weather. When the big booms from sky are starting--unplug everything and wait it out. And make real sure the modem is unplugged. Some people forget about the modem line and it fries.

I hope you have the idea by now. If not ask a question. That's what we're here for.

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[greengoose1]

What should I look for in a surge protection device? What should I be concerned with?

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[jtdoom]

Hi
I'd like to mention that a UPS, a surge supressor or power regulator should be plugged into an outlet with KNOWN GOOD GROUNDING.

Same goes for the surge protect stuff the cable modem company installed at the cable connect entry, and for the cable modem itself.

its just two cents worth of advice.
But it can save hundreds of dollars.

when I moved in this old house I bought, I found I had poorly installed grounding. Improving it was one of the first jobs I finished, and I have not regretted that.

here's a story.
the power CO was doing a job in a street, and called house to house to warn people they needed do a test which involved putting high voltage on the local line to find insulation leaks (meggre)
one of the folks was not at home
when he did, he found a cheap (6bucks) surge protect had molten.
his puter was on a 50 bucks surge protect, and it had survived
his TV (in sleep mode) was dead, one of his appliances was apparently running (freezer) and the motor took a hit

what does that tell me?
well, it tells me it can happen to me too

personally, when I am out, my puter and all peripherals are powered OFF by using a single master switch where the surge protector-S (plural) are connected on.
The surge protectors are still grounded
(is that wise?)

TV is never in sleep mode, and on a cheapo
Hehe, TV's seldom on, but that's another story and the fridge is on a cheapo too

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You help someone with a similar problem if you tell us what worked.
When you do, please post solution in the original thread?
Kind regards, Jaak

[bistro]

Just a ditto to the above. Never, never, never just plug the system directly into a wall outlet. And those standard power strips you find at hardware/office supply stores are NOT adequate--even the fused types. You need a computer-grade strip, preferably in conjunction with a UPS (APC makes good ones).
(Get the ones with modem line protection). Jaak made a good point--better check the wiring, especially the grounding, if you live in an older home. A good indication you may have problems: How often are you changing the light bulbs? If they pop often and randomly throughout the house, get the wiring checked. And get that system on a good surge protection pronto.

[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 05-30-2001).]

[greengoose1]

Ok, but what am I looking for in hardware that I need to install. Will forty dollars get what is needed? Going into an electronics store which box should be picked in other words. Need an answer form both sides of the big pond for this one as the equipment may be different because of the electrical voltage coming into a home. Is it always 120V 60cycle?

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[bistro]

I know here in the States you should look for a power strip that has modem protection and rated at a minimum 700 joules. The higher the joule rating/more outlets, the more expensive it'll be. Look for one that is designed to accomodate at least two AC adapters without covering up the other outlets (can plug in perpendicular to the strip). A good one could run as high as 70/80 dollars. (Think of it as an insurance policy...). If you buy two with different joule ratings, put the better one into the wall outlet and plug the second one into that.

[greengoose1]

Bistro, Got another mail delay notice trying to Email you with info on Java and HTML. IBM has got a Java page going and found a 38 page tutorial on HTML with good practical how to's. Need to figure a way to transfer "stuff" to you. Any ideas other than posting addresses here?

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[DrMDJ]

Chomp, Chomp! GG1, no problem at all on just drafting me. And I assume there is no problem in me just sending you the terms of payment contract I took the liberty of signing for you.

As for surge protection... I'm glad that phone lines were mentioned. I've seen more than one occassion where a person had everything on surge protection except that little line going to their modem. Once a person said their cdrom drive was acting funny, playing CDs poorly. After some scrutiny it was discovered that a spike/surge had traveled up the phone line, in to the internal modem/soundcard (damaging that), out the cd audio cable up to the cdrom (damaging that). All he could say was "But my PC was on a surge protector".

People need to look at protection in broad terms. You need to protect "any" avenue where current could travel in to the PC. If you have one or more PCs networked make sure all are protected, including the network cables, hubs, switches and routers. And if you have your PC's soundcard hooked up to your home stereo, or a tv card or dvd player hooked up to a TV/vcr, protect those devices. Electricity will take any path it can, any you leave open for it.

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[bistro]

Well, if Train doesn't mind, you can forward through him. Would like to see it; however, I think I already have enough Java stuff to last a lifetime.

In addition to the above, if affordable, one should also look into getting a UPS (Universal Power Supply). Not only offers some surge protection but, should the power go out, will alarm you to the fact and the battery inside will allow you time to save any work you have and "power down". Mine has saved me on several occasions. Will run anywhere from around 100 for a small one to a few hundred dollars for a swifto-keeno super-duper model. If you do a lot of business work, graphics production, etc., they'll save your hiney.

Might seem overkill, but this is how my system is set up for surge protection: Wall outlet to computer grade strip (with phone line protection)> UPS plugged into strip, computer into UPS>additional power strip plugged into UPS and AC adapters, etc. for speakers, printer, etc. plugged into that strip. That way, when I switch off the UPS, everything goes down. But even with that, when a thunderstorm comes in, I unplug the primary strip from the wall outlet and disconnect the incoming phone line. Put too much into this system to take any chances.

[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 05-30-2001).]

[maxximilian]

Hi gang

Here is the site I use to keep an eye out for approaching storms. http://www.accuweather.com/adcbin/index

I think it is for the US only. Just click on the map in your area for a close-up radar image. I'm not sure this site covers the rest of the world, so maybe someone can post weather sites for Europe, Asia, etc.

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I want my Win98 Emachine back !!!

MAXXIMILIAN'S

[greengoose1]

Ok now, what about considering safety in installing a surge protector. What safety precautions should be taken to keep from getting a shock?

While we're on safety, next week we will talk and answer questions about safety working in and around a computer. Then once safety is in place will come a week of how to keep your computer cool since summer is coming on.

DrMDJ, Thought this was for Mother Country and VirtualDr.

Bistro, ok, will go thru Train. Sure is a handicap though.




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[bistro]

Safety? Well, for one, keep your thumb off the metal part of the plug when plugging into the wall outlet. Bad idea if you have to stretch into all kinds of contortions when plugging it in--clear your way. Make sure the system is unplugged when putting the power cord into the strip or UPS--strip should be turned off. Then plug into the case, then turn on the strip. Make sure the wall outlet you plug into is continuous current, not controlled by a wall switch. Nothing like working on a big project (and haven't saved), then your spouse comes over and flips the switch thinking she's turning on the overhead light.

[greengoose1]

Bistro, there's a couple I hadn't thought of.
My wife would use a switch like that.

Which leads to this point. There is a lot of simple things that a person can easily overlook. So be aware. Safety first.

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[This message has been edited by greengoose1 (edited 05-30-2001).]

[greengoose1]

This article has to do with surge protection and the home. Not just computers. Something to think about as the value of everything we buy seems to keep increasing.


Need for Electrical Surge Protection Increases as the Value of Home Electronics and Electrical Equipment Grows

Pittsburgh, PA – The need for protection against electrical surges in the home has never been greater for two primary reasons. First, the value of electrical and electronic devices that add comfort, pleasure, and efficiency to the average home has increased dramatically during the past 10 years. Not only do homes today have more sophisticated televisions, VCRs and appliances, but the list of expensive electronic equipment has grown to include personal computers, security systems and entertainment centers.

A second reason that surge protection is needed is due to the sheer number of potentially destructive electrical spikes and surges that occur in homes every day – hundreds according to the latest estimates. Surges can cause equipment to malfunction and in severe cases cause catastrophic damage or fire.

What is an electrical surge?

A surge is a transient (i.e., momentary, impermanent) increase of current, voltage or power on an electrical system. The increase can be quite large – many times the norm – or quite small – 10 percent over the norm.

The larger, more destructive surges, generally caused by lightning, can reach thousands of volts. Lightning doesn’t have to strike the earth to cause damage. More common cloud to cloud strikes, even a mile away, can produce enormous magnetic fields that induce surges onto power, telephone and cable lines. Unchecked, such surges can quickly destroy wiring, appliances, telephones, and other electronic devices.

Smaller surges may be caused by disturbances on the utility’s transmission lines. Commonly, surges originate within the home from the operation of appliances such as refrigerators/freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, dishwashers, lighting dimmers, and power tools.

Surge protectors: what they are, how they function:

Surge protectors limit surge voltages by discharging surge currents to ground. Proper grounding is the strongest prerequisite for proper surge protection. The key components in almost all surge protectors are metal oxide varisters (MOVs). Under normal conditions, MOVs offer high resistance to currents, preventing normal currents from discharging to ground. Under surge conditions – typically 115 percent or more of normal current – the MOV’s resistance drops within nanoseconds (a nanosecond is one billionth of a second), creating a path with far less resistance than the facility’s wiring for the current to flow to ground.

Two stages of protection necessary to effectively guard against electrical surges:

Surge strips are commonly believed to be sufficient protection for electronic equipment such as televisions and personal computers. Surge strips, however, are not capable of suppressing a powerful surge, such as one caused by lightning, and most do not include any protection for telephone or coaxial cable lines. Although no product can protect a home against a direct lightning strike, the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers recommends whole house surge suppression as the most effective way to protect against damage in the home.

Whole house surge suppression devices protect the home where the electric, telephone, and cable lines enter the home. These devices serve as a first line of defense against surges and are installed directly at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box to protect all incoming lines.

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[Train]

Bistro has taken the right approach, unplugging is the best thing to do when an electrical storm approaches.
After having seen houses when lightning has destroyed the meters and the fuse panels in houses, I do not take chances with it.

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