Utility brownout & samsung power supply problems

[[email protected]]

Hi folks!

I recently experienced a utility problem here. While I'm not sure what
else might of happened I do know the power cycled several times in a
few seconds and the voltage on one phase dropped to about 40v to
ground. I shut everything down at the main within 20-30 seconds. BTW,
The whole episode lasted several hours and had several voltage events
appear on my dmm's mix/max but no surges over normal.

Now my Samsung TV is generating a 8-30khz feedback on the line, and
has a small but annoying distortion scanning the horizontal, plus a
bit of snow. I suspect a bad power supply in the TV. I intend to
search for a power supply and try that. The TV is one of those black
Samsung 27" flat screen's, it's only about a year old. At this time I
would rather just replace the power supply myself than to haggle with
the utility company, deliver the TV to an approved repair site, then
wait for the repair............. Any sources? tips?

I currently have the TV, satellite, dvd, etc on a 6 device
surge/filter outlet sold for the satellite, which still indicates as
OK. After this I intend to buy a UPS for the TV, etc. hoping for
better protection. My computers were all on UPS's and they did ok thru
this. Along the same line I have been thinking of just buying an
inverter or two, batteries and a float charger and build a system
large enough for all my electronics of note. I have a nice sheltered
spot outside adjacent ( < 20') to where the power would be needed, I
figured I would put all this in a small enclosure, and sent the now
isolated AC inside. Any idea's?

TIA
Matt


--
"It's not what folks don't know that gets 'em in the most trouble,
it's the things they do know that ain't so" Will Rodgers

"Any sufficiently advanced technology appears as magic" Arthur C.
Clarke

 

[Bughunter]

You probably have a floating neutral at your meter box or main panel. Hire
an electrician to fix that. You might also have the utiity run a check. Then
can replace your meter with a phase tester. If the problem is on your side
of the meter then it's your responsibility to hire an electrician to fix it.
If it's on the other side the utility fixes it.

Continued use of your electric serice with a floating neutral is dangerous.
One "phase" can swing to a very high voltage whilethe ther sags. Your TV's
and other equipment will not last long under those conditions.

I experienced a similar problem a few years back. Retorqueing and
lubricating the connections in the meter box solved it for about 3 days.
Replacing the a 25 year old meter box solved it permenantly.