I'm not an electrician but I some clever heads together

[beachlover]

Hi everyone
I have the strangest problem that no matter who I ask in the trade they seem to scratch their head and tell me to buy a surge protection unit. I have bought a million surge protections units Just sayin

Here is the problem and some of things done over the past three years to try to resolve it ....

I seem to be getting some sort of problem that is blowing up my computers. No amount of electrical test seem to find the faults. It's not just bad components or the company's where I buy the machines either.
I have estimated Over 16 devices blown and 47 repairs since 2014. This is from five different companies where I have purchased computers with a warranty.
Computers last typically for anything up to two days or two weeks before failing. This most common failure benign burnt chips on the GPU s

It is my understanding The modern motherboards have built in surge protection and they go into protection mode when a surge is detected. I have had this happen but when I next switch on the computer the GPU is damaged or becomes damaged.

Work carried out on my electricity by the electrician working for the housing association house I live in

1 - four different surge protectors bought
2- ups bought with surge protection
3 - 2013 a full electrical test on RCD panel and all sockets - passed
4- 2015 another full electrical test - passed
5- electric supplier monitored for surges from outside- none detected
6- two sockets faceplates replaced (the ones used for my computer)
7 - independent electrician hired tested sockets. No fault found.
8 - Eco Max Home Voltage optimiser fitted on RCD panel and set to 230v

Other information.
No other devices in the house fail and we have two HD TVs, a MacBook, two iPhones, router, and the usual lamps, kitchen equipment. New mouse,keyboard,HDMI cables,USB cables purchased

UK based electrical system with RCD panel with an additional Volt regulator fitted. We have 240 volts coming into the house
The housing association also fitted a gadget that regulates the volatage 230

On the last occasion I saw the the computer component frizzle smoke and could see the damage. I'm really worried about a fire risk
I have on occasion see sparks come from the switch on the outlet.

I would appreciate your thoughts on why this is happening to me as three independent electrical test and Electricians tell me they can not find or think of what could be causing it.

No computing for me for a while

Many thanks

 

[David Prosser]

What did you mean by it is common down here? Could it be the mast on the fire station nearby?

Could you post some pictures of the mast, has it got any dishes on it ?

 

[beachlover]

What did you mean by it is common down here? Could it be the mast on the fire station nearby?

Could you post some pictures of the mast, has it got any dishes on it ?

I can tommorow its dark now
But I think they are mobile phone masts

 

[DPG]

If it's EMI that's cooked those PCBs then you would have been microwaved by now! I must admit I'm confused by this one. All I was thinking is that if you could power your PC up in another house somewhere it may help to eliminate things. Daz

 

[beachlover]

If it's EMI that's cooked those PCBs then you would have been microwaved by now! I must admit I'm confused by this one. All I was thinking is that if you could power your PC up in another house somewhere it may help to eliminate things. Daz

Yes and that is a good thought
I lived in my previous house for 20 years and I probably had only three or or 4 pcs in that whole time
As soon as I moved here I go through 8 brand new PC s per year with over 4 different companies and nearly 30 to 40 replacement componants
I have considered moving house but that is not really an option

 

[DPG]

Just thinking about the sparks from switches on sockets - cheap sockets can do this, especially when switching high power or inductive loads. This is not the case with a PC and I would not expect this to happen.
The destruction of computer components is presumably due to excess voltage, possibly as spikes. For this to happen would need quite a big surge because as others have said above, the PSU would probably take the hit first. Possible though.
You need the services of someone who is not your average sparky. Further analysis of the power supply over many hours (not the idiot test though ) and also checking of any earth currents that may be present. Also worth checking the potential differences between the various computer parts and every part of the electrical system in your house also.
Keep us informed of any further happenings or if you get anybody in to look at it. It's a good one.
Daz

 

[Barry White]

PSU power supplies can have a large inrush current and hence the spark when first plugged in.(many chinese copys have little protection and are worse)

 

[DPG]

True, but wouldn't expect a spark at the switch of the 13A socket when it was switched on. Daz

 

[Davisonp]

I have a few thoughts.

1) I would be tempted to try a Z reading between Live and neutral at the incomer of the consumer unit and outgoing connectors of the RCD to ensure there is not a high resistance fault somewhere in the neutral. It is a test that is not necessarily recorded as part of an EICR (Electrical Inspection). If the value is bad, then the PFC reported on the form will be the reading between Live and earth and a high neutral resistance may be missed. I am not sure a high neutral resistance would cause this but I know neutral problems can have odd effects and most things have been ruled out.

2) Is undervoltage a possibility? The 230 Volt regulators will prevent overvoltage and spikes, but will it do anything if the voltage drops to an unacceptable level? Less voltage means higher current, and more heat. I know many PC power supplies can cope with a wide range of voltages, but are the computers that have burnt out using power supplies that can run on 110Volts (American standard) or ones that require 230Volts? There are posts on PC web sites that suggest prolonged undervoltage can damage PC’s (mostly power supplies) and I understand that things like washing machines have a significantly reduced lifespan if the voltage is regularly lower than acceptable (one job I worked on had prolonged periods where one phase was at 195 Volts, one at 215 volts, and the third phase at 235 volts, so it can happen).

3) Is the supply listed on the electrical inspection described as TN-S, TN-C-S or TT?
TN-C-S with neutral supply problems may create problems.

 

[amlu]

another thing to look at -
floating ground to some equipment? due to things getting overcomplicated the computer is not grounded properly, causing ground loops thru usb or other communication cables...

 

[dmxtothemax]

I'am inclined to believe that the GPU is just being pushed beyond it's limits,
sort of like an over clocked CPU, it will put up with it for a while
But eventually it will die !
What are you processing ?
Can you instal better cooling on the GPU ?
like a bigger CPU fan.

 

[beachlover]

@dmxtothemax

I'm buying good quality computers from good British companies. I'm positive they are using good quality parts. The PSUs have been changed as has every single computer I have bought over the past three years. Each computer I have bought pass all the stress test before shipped.

I'm not overclocking
I'm not using high stress games. I'm aware of making sure fans and cooling are up to scratch.
I have had CPUs ranging from i7 with nvidia GTX 1050 to the skylake i5 with nvidia 1060. The computers I have had are more than enough to cope with the task I do. I really only play Warcraft which is hardly a high stress game. So I don't think I'm over stressing or overheating the GPUs. No to have this happen to so many different computers and GPUs it has to be something external to the machines

Thank for your thought tho

I'm due to have yet another GPU delivered tommorow to replace the most recent on that one that burnt.
I'm just thinking of a way I can put it on my computer and on another elecrical source.

 

[beachlover]

I have a few thoughts.

1) I would be tempted to try a Z reading between Live and neutral at the incomer of the consumer unit and outgoing connectors of the RCD to ensure there is not a high resistance fault somewhere in the neutral. It is a test that is not necessarily recorded as part of an EICR (Electrical Inspection). If the value is bad, then the PFC reported on the form will be the reading between Live and earth and a high neutral resistance may be missed. I am not sure a high neutral resistance would cause this but I know neutral problems can have odd effects and most things have been ruled out.

2) Is undervoltage a possibility? The 230 Volt regulators will prevent overvoltage and spikes, but will it do anything if the voltage drops to an unacceptable level? Less voltage means higher current, and more heat. I know many PC power supplies can cope with a wide range of voltages, but are the computers that have burnt out using power supplies that can run on 110Volts (American standard) or ones that require 230Volts? There are posts on PC web sites that suggest prolonged undervoltage can damage PC’s (mostly power supplies) and I understand that things like washing machines have a significantly reduced lifespan if the voltage is regularly lower than acceptable (one job I worked on had prolonged periods where one phase was at 195 Volts, one at 215 volts, and the third phase at 235 volts, so it can happen).

3) Is the supply listed on the electrical inspection described as TN-S, TN-C-S or TT?
TN-C-S with neutral supply problems may create problems.

Thanks so very much all this
I don't know what any of it means but at least I can read it the the electrician that is coming on Monday. It has give me something to start on. Brilliant!!!'
You have given me some hope - thanks soopoooppop very much

 

[beachlover]

3) Is the supply listed on the electrical inspection described as TN-S, TN-C-S or TT?
TN-C-S with neutral supply problems may create problems.

I'm trying to upload a picture of the electrician report
I don't really know what any of it means

 

[DPG]

I'd be interested to here Lucien's thoughts on this one. Daz

 

[beachlover]

Ne

I'm trying to upload a picture of the electrician report
I don't really know what any of it means

View attachment 34776

View attachment 34778

Anyway brand new GPU has arrived
I have not had the machine plugged into the mains for over 10 days
I'm thinking to run my electric extension that I use to mow the lawn from the lounge socket into my room where the computer is

Wish me luck
I think I might need it