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Frequent power supply replacement

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by tim.vanzee

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We have two facilities which manufacture similar products. However, one is in Iowa and one is in San Diego, CA area. The CA facility has frequent problems with power supplies failing. I have added UPS units to all computers and the problem has improved, but still continues. One PC in particular has a power supply failure about once a month. It was suggested that the cause was the dust in our facility. (highly conductive material dust from product we manufacture) However, we do not experience this problem in our Iowa facility.

Any suggestions of where to start to diagnose this problem? Electricians have said there is nothing wrong with the power, but I'm not convinced.

2 replies

by the scummy one

or some other factor in the environment. Either that or
the power supplies are being overloaded. If the power has
been checked out AND you have the units on UPS's (that
are testing good) and the problem continues, there is
something else causing the issue. The 1 system in
particular seems to be a problem system, has it been
replaced? If so, did the problem continue?
Also, for the one in particular, is there anything different
about it's setup?
Try putting in a quality PS that has a higher rating (if
using a 350W, try a 500W).
Also, since it is in a dusty area, have you added any
filters, or are they being cleaned routinely?

by nicknielsen

I'm with the Scummy One on this, I think it's the dust. Check the ventilation airflow through the plants. You may find that the exhaust airflow in the SD plant passes through/over the areas where the PCs are located.

Barring that, as was suggested, check filters or put a graphical power monitor (provides a paper output) on that circuit to make sure the power is good, with no or minimal spikes. Check also the source of the power. Is the failure PC being supplied from the same branch or leg as your production equipment?

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