02-23-2020, 05:50 PM
Thanks for the response @xdude. I like the idea of an inverter and have made some inquiries about cost. Probably worth it, but with all of my recent expenses and no income to offset, I'm hesitating .... for now! 
I'm still amazed however how well the router is doing with all of this. Like maybe I shouldn't talk too fast. The router is the newest of all of the equipment, I recently got this ADSL service (less than a month ago), and a brand new router was installed. It seems to be designed to withstand surges .... if I'm correct in my assessment. Also the printer - a Samsung XPress 2027 - reasonable new - 2017 (feels new with how fast time is going but I'm comparing it with the age of the computer 2014) but the printer is also taking the load shedding quite in its stride with no issues. Just the computer power pack I've got to be more careful with. Like the computer seemed to have withstood the surge and kudos to it and Windows 7. But the power part of it is what I now know I should be more than careful with. If I don't go for an inverter I probably should consider a UPS - just hate getting equipment that are extra. Like I'm a minimalist and try to stick with the minimum if possible.
Fantastic explanation many thanks @"Hidden Refuge". Like I had an idea why the need for not allowing equipment to power on spontaneously once there has been an involuntary power off, but you explained it perfectly and I understand it much better too.
What you said above about old technology is SO TRUE! Like more than once already the power went off shortly after the load shedding session had expired for the very reason you mentioned. Initially we all thought we got another load shedding event that had been unscheduled. But then when we inquired discovered the power station had a component that mal-functioned after the load shedding event and when the power was turned back on and had to be shut down for repairs. Most of the local municipality infra structure is not that up to date with maintenance either. This load shedding is heavy on all equipment that has to do with power generation. So we've had it more than once where shortly after the power went on, there was a failure at the local power station. This one is usually much worse for equipment when they power back on, than the "scheduled" load shedding sessions.
So thanks for reminding me of that as well. Maybe one should wait a while before one turns on one's computer after a load shedding event. To give the local power station enough time to show it has been successfully turned back on without any issues. Or to make absolutely sure one doesn't turn one's equipment on without having shut it down first after the power went down unscheduled. Or set it up as per your suggestion.
(02-22-2020, 09:42 AM)ikk157 Wrote: I aint no electrical engineer, but my dad (who is one) has always told us to uplug everything during a power outage as they could get severely damaged the instant the power goes back up. Not sure why that is, I’m guessing that the load as soon as they turn the power back on is significantly higher than normal, making it hard to regulate the output. A surge protector won’t be of much use in that case. Also, surge protectors work by sending the excess power to ground, so if they’re not grounded, they’re pretty much useless!This is an excellent recommendation. Many thanks @ikk157. Like that is something I could have done and should have thought off as soon as I became aware of the power going off before the power came on again. Get up and turn off the main plug. Also unplugging it from the wall.
I'm still amazed however how well the router is doing with all of this. Like maybe I shouldn't talk too fast. The router is the newest of all of the equipment, I recently got this ADSL service (less than a month ago), and a brand new router was installed. It seems to be designed to withstand surges .... if I'm correct in my assessment. Also the printer - a Samsung XPress 2027 - reasonable new - 2017 (feels new with how fast time is going
but I'm comparing it with the age of the computer 2014) but the printer is also taking the load shedding quite in its stride with no issues. Just the computer power pack I've got to be more careful with. Like the computer seemed to have withstood the surge and kudos to it and Windows 7. But the power part of it is what I now know I should be more than careful with. If I don't go for an inverter I probably should consider a UPS - just hate getting equipment that are extra. Like I'm a minimalist and try to stick with the minimum if possible.(02-22-2020, 10:10 AM)Hidden Refuge Wrote: So if you or your power company has old technology or bad components in the power grid... these spikes can actually just cause another outage. At worst some components might break like fuses and etc... thus once again delaying the time until power is back. I've seen even worse things happen though. It is very dangerous for example to power on all the switching equipment in a power plant because during the startup phase of the switching cabinets their power draw is so high... if something is wrong inside it can blow up the whole cabinet or kill people standing nearby if they don't have the necessary protective gear. Of course nothing that extreme can/will happen at home.
Fantastic explanation many thanks @"Hidden Refuge". Like I had an idea why the need for not allowing equipment to power on spontaneously once there has been an involuntary power off, but you explained it perfectly and I understand it much better too.
What you said above about old technology is SO TRUE! Like more than once already the power went off shortly after the load shedding session had expired for the very reason you mentioned. Initially we all thought we got another load shedding event that had been unscheduled. But then when we inquired discovered the power station had a component that mal-functioned after the load shedding event and when the power was turned back on and had to be shut down for repairs. Most of the local municipality infra structure is not that up to date with maintenance either. This load shedding is heavy on all equipment that has to do with power generation. So we've had it more than once where shortly after the power went on, there was a failure at the local power station. This one is usually much worse for equipment when they power back on, than the "scheduled" load shedding sessions.
So thanks for reminding me of that as well. Maybe one should wait a while before one turns on one's computer after a load shedding event. To give the local power station enough time to show it has been successfully turned back on without any issues. Or to make absolutely sure one doesn't turn one's equipment on without having shut it down first after the power went down unscheduled. Or set it up as per your suggestion.