voltage fluctuates

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cabolton13
cabolton13 Posts: 72
edited February 2008 in Electronics
hello can anyone tell me if your houses voltage fluctuates say from 100 to 119 could this damage your equipment?(tv,cable box,stereo,dvd player)
MY SYSTEM

RT3000P
CS400 (2)
FX1000
Sony ST-SA50ES
Sony TA-E9000ES
Sony TA-N9000ES (2)
Sony BDP-S570
Sony LCD 46"
Technics SL-QD2
Monster HTPS7000
Directv HDTIVO
PS3
Xbox360
Wii
Post edited by cabolton13 on
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  • jcaut
    jcaut Posts: 1,849
    edited February 2008
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    Well, it's certainly not a good thing, even if it doesn't do any damage. 100 Volts is pretty low. Have you contacted the power company?
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2008
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    On Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons I'll sometimes see 111, which is low. I average 118-121 here. If you see 100, definitely call the power company.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • ShinAce
    ShinAce Posts: 1,194
    edited February 2008
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    I'm guessing you're out in the country.

    You might have noticed your light bulbs burning out faster than they should. If so, use 130 v bulbs.

    Same goes with your audio equipment. It's not a problem per say, but can shorten the life of electronics.

    I've always had voltage measurements of 117-121 VRMS at the outlet.
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  • HB27
    HB27 Posts: 1,518
    edited February 2008
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    My voltage fluctuates from 110-124 at the highest I've measured. It affects the sound from my system IF I don't run a power conditioner. A good power conditioner will stabilize the voltage and give added protection for your electronics. I actually use a Variac on my amps and it gives a very stable voltage with no peaks or valleys in current flow.
    I live in the city (Indianapolis) and it's common for drops in peak hours or even spikes.
    HB
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  • vonnie123
    vonnie123 Posts: 326
    edited February 2008
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    Check out APC H10, and H15 which are line conditioners (non-battery backup type) which trim, and boost voltage on the fly. Voltage should be around 115 -120 for optimal operation. You shop around you can find the H10 for around $200 from a factory authorized dealer.
    [
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,340
    edited February 2008
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    I run between 116-120, depends on how many things going on in the house.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,290
    edited February 2008
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    cabolton13 wrote: »
    hello can anyone tell me if your houses voltage fluctuates say from 100 to 119 could this damage your equipment?(tv,cable box,stereo,dvd player)
    What are you reading to give you this measurement?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • ShinAce
    ShinAce Posts: 1,194
    edited February 2008
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    An RMS voltmeter jammed in the socket I suppose.
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  • seeclear
    seeclear Posts: 1,244
    edited February 2008
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    I don't want to threadjack, but would this be a good option for Home Theater:

    http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11234507&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US

    they also have on B&M for $100 that is 1000 VA, although I am not sure that the UPS is a real useful feature for HT anyway. I would consider this more just for the power conditioning aspect.

    I thought I saw someone on here recommend Tripp before. Any thoughts?
    "Don't forget to change your politician. They are like diapers they need to be changed regularly, and for the same reason."
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  • cabolton13
    cabolton13 Posts: 72
    edited February 2008
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    treitz3 wrote: »
    What are you reading to give you this measurement?

    this is my friends house i bought him a monster PowerCenter™ HTFS 1000 it has a digital read out
    MY SYSTEM

    RT3000P
    CS400 (2)
    FX1000
    Sony ST-SA50ES
    Sony TA-E9000ES
    Sony TA-N9000ES (2)
    Sony BDP-S570
    Sony LCD 46"
    Technics SL-QD2
    Monster HTPS7000
    Directv HDTIVO
    PS3
    Xbox360
    Wii
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,290
    edited February 2008
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    What does it read with nothing plugged into it and the MP unit on?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • HB27
    HB27 Posts: 1,518
    edited February 2008
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    Take measurements in every room to make sure you have constant voltage on all circuits. Most likely you will.
    Then take readings on your audio system circuits at different hours of the day. Write them down and compare the readings to the way your system sounds during the Peaks and drops.
    If you keep the noise levels in your residence down to a minimum you can probably hear a difference with different levels of current running through your home without a conditioner.
    It's also part of the fun to "tuning and Peaking" your system.
    HB
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  • cabolton13
    cabolton13 Posts: 72
    edited February 2008
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    treitz3 wrote: »
    What does it read with nothing plugged into it and the MP unit on?

    the thing is that on this outlet reads no ground on the monster the light doesn't come on to show proper ground it will read from 117-120 if anything is plugged in or not they have this plug in wall heater which is on another outlet but i believe these are all daisy chained and when the heaters is turned on the voltage drops to 107 when they turn it off it goes back to 117-120 also if they turn on the vacuum in another room the outlet where the monster and his TV are plugged into shuts off.
    MY SYSTEM

    RT3000P
    CS400 (2)
    FX1000
    Sony ST-SA50ES
    Sony TA-E9000ES
    Sony TA-N9000ES (2)
    Sony BDP-S570
    Sony LCD 46"
    Technics SL-QD2
    Monster HTPS7000
    Directv HDTIVO
    PS3
    Xbox360
    Wii
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  • HB27
    HB27 Posts: 1,518
    edited February 2008
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    Sounds like it's time for an electrician with the open ground. I use a dedicated line for my audio only.
    If you're referring to small space heaters draining the juice down you may need to run the heaters on a different circuit with a lot less draw on the line. If you're kicking the breakers shutting the outlet down you're definitely over amping the circuit being used.
    If you're testing with one of the small ground fault plug in testers ignore the readings. They're almost useless. Even when the light doesn't come on you may still have a solid ground.
    HB
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  • ShinAce
    ShinAce Posts: 1,194
    edited February 2008
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    Wow, how old is this wiring? Sounds like some major testing and layout changes need to happen or else there is wiring that will need to be replaced.

    I'm in fairly old apartment now, but the voltage is still fairly stable. I'm sitting at 122.5 right now.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2008
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    I get occasional drops. So one of these is on it's way.
    http://catalog.belkin.com/PureAV_detail.process?Product_Id=258472#
    FUL1_AP51300fc10-BLK.jpg
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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