Power strip "pop"

Hak Foo · 30-January-08, 07:19 PM

Twice this evening, the power strip (an ordinary eight-outlets-and-surge-suppression job) has popped off (switched to the "off" position by itself.

The timing seemed random.

I noticed the strip felt warm near the switch, and the light in the switch is irregular. The strip is like 6 years old probably.

Now, I could spend $10 on a new strip, and probably will, but is there anything worth testing to ensure I don't have a fire-hazard device drawing 5000 watts on a line? I have a DMM handy.

What's on the strip:

-PC (Antec 500W PSU)
-Monitor (24" LCD, but formerly 21" CRT)
-External hard disc
-FC Twin
-GameCube

In sum, nothing near the limits of a single circuit.

BeetleMan · 30-January-08, 07:30 PM

Do you have a clamp meter? To read your amps....

How many amps/ watts is the strip rated for?

I wouldn't worry to much about it tho... breakers do get old/worn, especially cheap ones.. and i would probably spend a little more then 10 bucks for a computer one...if it's the only protection you got for your hardware...

musclecars&computers · 30-January-08, 08:01 PM

I'd replace it. Also just having ur psu plugged up to a regular outlet or multi outlet can reduce the lifespan of it. Look into a good surge strip.

thedemonxanth · 30-January-08, 08:02 PM

How is the light irregular? Irregularly lit or kind of flickering? Either way I'd say the strip was toast, the surge suppression circuitry is probably partially shorted and heating up. It will just heat up again to a certain point and then *pop*. Ditch it and get a new one.

30-January-08, 07:19 PM		#1 (permalink)
Hak Foo Apex Elite Tech	Power strip "pop" Twice this evening, the power strip (an ordinary eight-outlets-and-surge-suppression job) has popped off (switched to the "off" position by itself. The timing seemed random. I noticed the strip felt warm near the switch, and the light in the switch is irregular. The strip is like 6 years old probably. Now, I could spend $10 on a new strip, and probably will, but is there anything worth testing to ensure I don't have a fire-hazard device drawing 5000 watts on a line? I have a DMM handy. What's on the strip: -PC (Antec 500W PSU) -Monitor (24" LCD, but formerly 21" CRT) -External hard disc -FC Twin -GameCube In sum, nothing near the limits of a single circuit.

30-January-08, 07:30 PM		#2 (permalink)
BeetleMan PCApex Corr-Hoe-spondent	Re: Power strip "pop" Do you have a clamp meter? To read your amps.... How many amps/ watts is the strip rated for? I wouldn't worry to much about it tho... breakers do get old/worn, especially cheap ones.. and i would probably spend a little more then 10 bucks for a computer one...if it's the only protection you got for your hardware... Last edited by BeetleMan; 30-January-08 at 07:36 PM.

30-January-08, 08:01 PM		#3 (permalink)
musclecars&computers Apex Tech Demi-God	Re: Power strip "pop" I'd replace it. Also just having ur psu plugged up to a regular outlet or multi outlet can reduce the lifespan of it. Look into a good surge strip.

30-January-08, 08:02 PM		#4 (permalink)
thedemonxanth Apex Tech Fanatic Supreme	Re: Power strip "pop" How is the light irregular? Irregularly lit or kind of flickering? Either way I'd say the strip was toast, the surge suppression circuitry is probably partially shorted and heating up. It will just heat up again to a certain point and then pop. Ditch it and get a new one.

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