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Geek Culture / Power supply and light bulbs

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Michael P
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Location: London (UK)
Posted: 9th Dec 2012 14:39 Edited at: 9th Dec 2012 14:41
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I have two questions to do with electricity; I don't really understand how it works.

1. I have a BT Voyager 2091 router but lost the power cable for it when I moved house. I googled alot and found some information suggesting that this power supply would work, so I bought it.

I'm not sure if this is the right spec power supply for the router, so if it is wrong is there a risk of fire or the router breaking? It has been running fine for a month now but does get quite hot.

2. In my house the electrics seem dodgy and light bulbs don't last more than a month at a time, and we've had a couple explode over the last 6 months. What would cause this?

And also, what does the wattage of a light bulb mean? So if I plug a 60W lighbulb into a 40W socket then will it be fine, but just a bit dimmer, or say, if I plug a 40W light bulb into a 60W socket would this be bad?

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xplosys
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Posted: 9th Dec 2012 17:06
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Sockets supply voltage, not wattage, so it doesn't matter what watt bulb you use. A lower wattage bulb will use less power but it still needs the same voltage as any other bulb.

If you have a power issue as you describe, I would highly recommend using a UPS. A battery backup UPS also conditions power, always keeping the voltage to your equipment at the proper level, no matter what the incoming voltage is. Computer and network equipment is sensitive and will only take so much of a spike or over voltage.

You may also want to consider a "whole house" UPS that hooks up at your power main panel.

Brian.

!retupmoc eht ni deppart m'I !pleH

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Green Gandalf
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Playing: Malevolence:Sword of Ahkranox, Skyrim, Civ6.
Posted: 9th Dec 2012 17:30
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Quote: "So if I plug a 60W lighbulb into a 40W socket then will it be fine"


Like xplosys I'm not quite sure what you mean. However, some light fittings have a wattage rating. This usually refers to the maximum wattage you can safely use. For example a table lamp with a light shade might be rated as 40W. If you exceed that then the likely result is that the lamp socket in the light fitting will get too hot and gradually become brittle and break up - or, more dangerously, the shade itself might get too hot and catch fire. If this is what you mean then it's usually safe to use a lower wattage bulb since that would give out less heat. I guess similar considerations apply to other appliances.

Perhaps you could clarify what you mean with an example?

We had problems with short life light bulbs at one time - the problem was solved by buying a reputable brand instead of the cheap "value" things you get in supermarkets, etc.
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BatVink
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Location: Gods own County, UK
Posted: 9th Dec 2012 21:17
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Quick-blowing bulbs sounds like issues with power surges. Filaments are very delicate things and not unlike fuses. If you get a surge, they will blow.

Surges either come from the mains, from power-demanding devices switching quickly, or from devices that built up a residual current in the circuit.

Make sure your lights are at the very least on a different circuit to the power switches. It's only a minor advantage but important. You actually separate them because they have different fuse requirements.

Also, check for patterns such as the washing machine at work when problems arise. You might need to isolate it from the rest of the house circuitry.

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Phaelax
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Location: Metropia
Posted: 10th Dec 2012 01:58
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Quote: ". I have a BT Voyager 2091 router but lost the power cable for it when I moved house. "

Look on your router, most electronics will state the power rating for their adapter. Match the volts, amps, and be sure to note if the positive is on the outside or inside. Too much power and you can fry your router. Too low and it may not function properly or turn on at all.

If something is rated for a 40w lightbulb, the parts used might not withstand the heat of a 60w bulb. Probably not, but it is possible to cause a fire.

Sounds like your house has a lot of "dirty" power. Or you're buying really crappy bulbs.

"You're not going crazy. You're going sane in a crazy world!" ~Tick
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Michael P
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Location: London (UK)
Posted: 10th Dec 2012 03:20 Edited at: 31st Dec 2012 19:26
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So for bulbs, any Wattage will do? I had a lamp which said it required a 40W bulb, so I guess this is because higher wattage cause too much heat.

Thanks for clarifying

As for the router, its really bothering me that I can't find the exact spec of the power supply on the internet. The router itself does not have the spec listed anywhere on it, and the spec on BT's website has TBC listed in the power supply field.

There are a couple of posts on the internet but no concrete answer. I have found a few photos from ebay and other sites but can't make out the writing on the power supply.

Here are some photos, maybe someone can make it out:
Inside of router from here.
Photo from ebay.
Another ebay page.

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Phaelax
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Posted: 13th Dec 2012 20:47
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I'd email one of the eBay sellers for the specs on the power adapter.

"You're not going crazy. You're going sane in a crazy world!" ~Tick
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bitJericho
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Posted: 14th Dec 2012 00:25
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Haha that's a great idea. I'm going to have to put that in my bag of tricks.

Visit my blog http://www.canales.me.
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Michael P
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Location: London (UK)
Posted: 31st Dec 2012 19:26 Edited at: 31st Dec 2012 19:28
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GOOD NEWS! I found the original power supply in a draw, hurraaay

happy new year all, here are some pics:
pic
another pic

So I think that's equivalent to this, so we're okay.

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The Wilderbeast
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Posted: 2nd Jan 2013 00:46
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Note that the current of the replacement doesn't have to match the original - just make sure it's at least the same if not higher, otherwise you end up with a burnt-out power supply.

You get 500MB extra space on Dropbox... I get 500MB extra space on Dropbox

Everyone's happy!
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