Brainwaves of Sken

Remember that power problem I’ve been having, where my computer shuts down if I stand up suddenly, or if I walk across my carpet a few feet away, or if I touch the light switch on the opposite side of the room, or if lucy touches the plastic of the case?

Well, after much troubleshooting (and replacement of my power supply, the surge protector, speakers, and the outlet), we might be onto something – a serious problem here at the homestead.

See, yesterday I bought a not-cheap surge protector that has indicator lights for ground, overload and building fault.

When plugging into the livingroom (and bedroom, which I suspect is on the same circuit) outlets, I get the “overload” light, which is supposed to come up when loading the surge with over 20 amps, according to the manual. There was nothing plugged into the surge OR the other outlets – I unplugged my lamp, computers, TV, etc.

I tested other outlets, and the bathroom gives a building fault error. In fact the kitchen/dining area are the only “safe” outlets, so I am running a new extension cord from there to get online.

As my neighbor came home around this time, I mentioned it to him and tested his outlets, too – both of the ones nearest my side come up as a building fault.

So, you could say I’m more than a little concerned.

Maintenance (and his electrical buddy, I guess) are coming out today, and I’m working from home to meet them, ’cause this is complicated to explain and serious as an apartment fire, know what I mean? (Thanks again, mom, for making me get renter’s insurance!)

~ by Skennedy on March 1, 2010.

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