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Author Topic: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...  (Read 6408 times)

Thomas W. Bethel

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This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« on: July 23, 2011, 09:01:39 AM »

I live in a small town with an investor owned utility providing power.

Last weekend we were down to 103 VAC and started having equipment problems especially with our computers (both Mac and PCs). I looked at the waveform and it was quite distorted with two big bumps in the sine wave. I assume this type of waveform is being produced because the transformer is severely overloaded. I am hopeful that the transformer does not blow or catch fire.

This weekend we are suppose to have even worse heat. NOT GOOD!

I contacted the utility and they found that in my area there are 8 houses connected to one transformer that is under rated. The transformer was put in in the 1950 when the average house had an 80 amp service. Now most homes in this area have a 200 amp services and more people have ACs and electric dryers and stoves. The transformer is rated at 25 KW but the "typical" house is drawing 3 KW so the transformer is maxed out most of the time. The utility has agreed to put in a 45 KW transformer as soon as they can get "another utility" to put in higher telephone poles to replace the ones that are there now. They are also going to "balance the load" and put the transformer in the middle of the houses it serves and not at one end as it is now. I am hopeful this will stop the problems I am currently having.

Anyone else facing AC power problems with all this heat?

What are you doing about it????

Thanks!
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Thomas W. Bethel
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Acoustik Musik, Ltd.
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Greg Reierson

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Re: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2011, 09:07:34 AM »

A ferroresonant transformer will give you a constant voltage output. I've been running them for many years. The trick is to find one that that outputs a proper sine wave.


GR
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Greg Reierson
Rare Form Mastering

SafeandSoundMastering

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Re: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2011, 09:51:18 AM »

My DAW occasionally overheats on a hot day (old now 2 x single core Xeons / i7 awaiting prime time)

But no power issues here, I suppose this effects people out in the sticks a bit more.

Surely you could get regulators of somekind for just the computers, probably not expensive either, my guess is some off the shelf UPS systems would do what you need.

cheers
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Barry Gardner
SafeandSound Mastering UK based online mastering studio.

Cass Anawaty

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Re: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2011, 10:19:05 AM »

It's 55 degrees in Portland.   ;)
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Cass Anawaty, Mastering Engineer
www.sunbreakmusic.com

ggidluck

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Re: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2011, 10:11:34 PM »

Tom,
Not necessarily overloading is the cause of it. I was discussing our power situation with a foreman at the power company here when we lost one side of our service. He said transformers commonly get damaged by lightning. If they continue to work after a storm they might not get hot and burn out until there is an increased demand.

Cass... I would move there if I could.

Gordon
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Cass Anawaty

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Re: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2011, 10:49:50 AM »

Cass... I would move there if I could.

Gordon
Yeah, but we only get to brag about 3 months out of the year.
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Cass Anawaty, Mastering Engineer
www.sunbreakmusic.com

masteringhouse

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Re: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2011, 02:10:53 PM »

It's 55 degrees in Portland.   ;)

Send us some rain!

My daughter is visiting us from Portland this week. Maybe she can carry some back in her suitcase.
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SafeandSoundMastering

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Re: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« Reply #7 on: July 25, 2011, 03:30:30 AM »

Has it cooled recently or is that 55 C in the direct sun?

That is hot, I struggle on holiday at 35 C.

That must be truly awful in a work room.
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Barry Gardner
SafeandSound Mastering UK based online mastering studio.

lowland

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Re: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« Reply #8 on: July 25, 2011, 03:52:47 AM »

Not Cass, but I suspect he means Fahrenheit, so that's just under 13C.

I had some clients from Cyprus visit on Friday (they liked the new room, BTW!), and they told me it was 43C there on Thursday: although that's nothing special for them at this time of year, you may be aware they had a massive explosion at a navy base recently which took out the main power station. This means they have a major shortfall in the power required for the island, so there are regular power cuts, air conditioning is run sparingly if at all and generators are the new popular items to steal - no fun, but they're a tough bunch and will no doubt get through it with good humour.
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Nigel Palmer
Lowland Masters
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Re: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2011, 07:24:41 AM »

That makes sense and I think I would literally die of heat exhaustion. I start feeling discomfort
above 30 C. (my computer as well)
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Barry Gardner
SafeandSound Mastering UK based online mastering studio.

Salty

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Re: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« Reply #10 on: July 25, 2011, 08:29:23 AM »

hahahaha you're all soft

Here in Australia we had a good summer. On Australia day I was doing an outdoor event,
and it was nice and sunny with a reported temp of 42 degrees C.
Higher in direct sunlight which I was in for the whole day, good times.
Oh and black console too hehe, felt like I was getting cooked
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bblackwood

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Re: This heat is not only bad for people but for equipment...
« Reply #11 on: July 25, 2011, 08:37:01 AM »

Heat index has been averaging 43-49C (110-120F) here for the last few weeks (actual air temps of 38C, 100F). Thankfully the studio AC has been able to keep the room at a steady 75F - I didn't think an AC system could achieve a delta of > ~20°, so I (and my gear) are pleased (and comfortable)...
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Brad Blackwood
euphonic masters
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