Mains voltage tollerance in Victoria.

"none"

Worse happens in Perth and all over WA every night.

........ Phil

The average al chepo computer SMPS is now designed around 230vac. The brifge rectifier smoothing caps are typically two 200v 85 deg caps.

MH

So what's the tolerance allowed in Western Australia?

"none" wrote

I'm suffering from high mains voltage.

Brian Goldsmith.

of

high"

is

I ran my computer under similar conditions for about 5 years in rural NSW. That was 3 years ago and the PSU caps still haven't failed. (Can't say the same about the fan, I've been manually spinning it with a match stick to get it started lately.)

... johnny

Try spraying some lubricant on the bearing, you may have to pull a small circlip off to get at it. They're usually bronze bearings.

Friday

Ranges,

waste

guide.

the

NSW.

the

get

Thanks for the suggestion, Friday. To be frank, I'm just lazy. About 4 years ago, I had a similar problem and ended up using a mixture of oil and vaseline, which worked well to lubricate and buffer the jumping around of the shaft from wear. At about $20-$30 for a replacement and 5 min to fit it, you'll have a good idea of just how slack and cheap I can be. (Despite this, my "fix" did last 4 years) ... Johnny

"Chris Jones"

Large variations in user demand through the day are what cause the AC supply voltage to rise and fall.

Suppliers get more complaints when the AC voltage is LOW at peak times than when it is high late at night and in the wee hours.

........ Phil

They will also be able to sell you more power if the mains voltage is too high. (Not in things like water heaters which have thermostats, but in things like fridge motors, power transformers, linear power supplies etc. that run less efficiently when the voltage is sufficiently high). It is in someone's monetary interest to adjust the mains voltage as high as they are allowed to, though I'm not sure if the company that sets the voltage is the same company that makes the profit.

Chris