[jennyk1]

i had this setup in one room for years and never had any problems. 2 desktop computers, 2 laptops, 4 monitors and 1 printer. Now i get fuses trip with just using printer. Why this happening? I cant install separate circuit breaker for this room. It is just too expensive. Is solution buy wireless printer and use it in different room? Possibly use extension cord to have one of desktops in diffrent room?
Thank you

 

[RAL238]

Is it a really a fuse or a circuit breaker that trips? If it is a circuit breaker, does it have a test button? Is it marked as a GFCI or an AFCI?


If the breaker is a GFCI or AFCI, it may be that there is a problem with the circuit or something plugged into it that is causing a ground fault or arc fault.



A picture of the circuit breaker that is tripping would give us a better idea of how to help you.

 

[Jim Port]

Is this the same rumor a different room. You need to find out what else is using power on the circuit. If this a fuse or breaker?

 

[jennyk1]

unfortunately i dont understand any of it. my computers and printer plugged in UPS/APC. Batteries are dead in both. I am waiting for new batteries to arrive There is nothing else in this room. attached is picture of my box. when my computer shut off after i used printer all fuses were intact. i just disconnected printer and one desktop computer. so everything is working now. after i replace batteries and this happens again, i dont know what else to do.

 

[RAL238]

Which one of the breakers in the picture is tripping? They are all just plain breakers, not GFCI or AFCI, so that eliminates some possible problems.



Some of the breakers are labeled as lighting and receptacles, so lights may be part of the total load on the circuit.



It would help to know the power requirements of each of the computers, monitors and the printer. That should be on a label that's usually near where the power cord connects. It will show as something like "120V 4A" or something similar.



It's possible that with what you have, you are near the limit of a 15A circuit, especially if you have a laser printer.

 

[jennyk1]

i thought trip means fuse goes from right to left and all i have to do is to switch is back. but i did not have to do this
I have to go thru all my equipment to determine what are power requirenments. I am using lazer printer. So it sounds like i should i should get wireless printer and used it in next room.

 

[dj3]

" i just disconnected printer and one desktop computer. so everything is working now"
- Your circuits are overloaded, most likely those marked 15Amp. You need a pro to analyze your situation.
Or, move the disconnected desktop and printer somewhere else.

 

[chetwisner]

i thought trip means fuse goes from right to left and all i have to do is to switch is back. but i did not have to do this

So, what did you have to do? When the breaker trips, it will move to the OFF position, and for the circuit to work again, you will have to DO SOMETHING (switch it back on).

ALSO: it's a circuit breaker, not a fuse.

 

[Missouri Bound]

When the breaker trips, it will move to the OFF position,.

Circuit breakers RARELY move to the off position when they trip.
The dislodge from the on position to a mid position.
You have to turn them completely off then back on again.

 

[HotRodx10]

You need to have the breaker replaced. That may solve your problem, without moving anything. Breakers become more sensitive each time they are tripped.

 

[chetwisner]

Circuit breakers RARELY move to the off position when they trip.
The dislodge from the on position to a mid position.
You have to turn them completely off then back on again.

I replied too hastily, yes, you are correct!! :hammer::hammer:

 

[jennyk1]

I did not have to do anything. Fuse did not move at all. All i did is just disconnected printer and 1 desktop, restarted remaining desktop and everything is working. I had laser printer connected to UPS. Could this be a problem? HotRodx10 posted that i need breaker replaced. Is it entire board i posted?

 

[HandyAndyInNC]

Why would you have everything turned on when you are not using it. Such as a printer. I print maybe 2-3 sheets per year. I usually have to buy a new printer when I need to print something. Very rare that I print anything.


Electrical is never too expensive. Save up the $50 and correct the issue. For a breaker to trip, the circuit is being over loaded. Have you cleaned the power supplies on the computers. How about the fans? They are using more current because they are having to work harder, thus drawing more current. Also, could be the size of the conductors, the number of other items on the same circuit. This issue could cause real big problems, really fast. Fix the issue and be done.

 

[djlandkpl]

What happens if you plug the computers and printer directly into the wall? Your 2 UPS could be the problem.

 

[HandyAndyInNC]

Yea, I totally missed that. Get rid of the UPS boxes. They could be the actual cause. Do you have them sitting directly on the floor? If so, pick one up and feel the floor under it. I bet it is nice and hot. The UPS are really not needed any longer. Power is very stable in most places. Unless you are some 3rd world cat box country.


You have breakers, not fuses. If you had a fuse, you would be replacing it when it blew. A breaker trips and can be reset. A fuse blows and must be replaced.

 

[jennyk1]

How can i not have UPS/APC? They all have surge protectors. This is where all amy computers/printer plugged in. Power goes down all the time where i am. I need to save my work and turn off computers. I simply dont have enough outlets anyway

 

[Nickd83]

You stated in the beginning you are waiting for batteries for your UPS. Is there a resettable fuse on the UPS, usually a small black button? (They may not, and just auto reset with the power button) That could be overloading, especially if there is no battery, and shutting down, causing your issues.

Are all of these devices plugged into the battery and surge side or split between both? The laser printer especially should probably only be plugged into the surge side of the UPS. Also, the UPS are rated for a certain load, so make sure you're not exceeding that as well.

 

[jennyk1]

i dont see reset button. but when this accident happened, i turned off/on UPS power button. everything is plugged in surge/battery outlets. I wait to replace battery in UPS. i had no idea UPS can hold certain load. I will investigate this

 

[Nickd83]

If you have them a plugged into the battery and surge side, with no battery, and there is a fault, that is exactly what will happen. I would suggest splitting the more important loads to the battery side(most used/important PC and monitor), [which will only make a difference when there are batteries installed], and using the surge only side for the perhiphrial devices, that won't need to be used when the power is off.

Until you get batteries however, moving all devices to the surge side, the power will not be interrupted, providing there is no other power issue from the street or overload/fault from your equipment.

There will be a rating for the VA of the UPS, which will give you an idea of how much the UPS can power for a couple minutes(usually it's in the model number, i.e. APC 550).

 

[jennyk1]

Nick, this is such good advice. Thank you very much