Voltage question and protections

[don_svetlio]

 So, like I've mentioned before, voltage here frequently goes down as low as 190V and as high as 250V. I upgraded my PSU since my last one was a poor quality TT.
Currently running a 750W Seasonic 80+ Gold on a system that pulls about 500W. My question is as follows:

I already know Seasonic units can run fine till 260V but what happens when voltages drop. If it's rated at 90-260, does that mean that 180 or 190VAC won't hurt it? Also, will those trigger UVP?
Thanks in advance.

[Stefan1024]

 So, like I've mentioned before, voltage here frequently goes down as low as 190V and as high as 250V. I upgraded my PSU since my last one was a poor quality TT.

Currently running a 750W Seasonic 80+ Gold on a system that pulls about 500W. My question is as follows:

I already know Seasonic units can run fine till 260V but what happens when voltages drop. If it's rated at 90-260, does that mean that 180 or 190VAC won't hurt it? Also, will those trigger UVP?

Thanks in advance.

Everything between 90 and 260 volts is fine. So 180 volts is ok.

However if the input voltage falls to quickly and the system is under heavy load, the power rails may spike under the minimun voltage and trigger an UPV. But since you have a high quality PSU with a lot of energy buffers it should be fine.

[don_svetlio]

Everything between 90 and 260 volts is fine. So 180 volts is ok.

However if the input voltage falls to quickly and the system is under heavy load, the power rails may spike under the minimun voltage and trigger an UPV. But since you have a high quality PSU with a lot of energy buffers it should be fine.

I really hope it's fine since I am moving in about a month to a place where it's stable 230VAC but until then I am stuck under these conditions. My old PSU was a TT 630W with 80% efficiency and it held together for a decent amount of time so I guess It's ok. What I love about Seasonic is the stability though. My TT would drop to 11.7V on the 12V rail. SS one stays at a constant 12V always, regardless of max stress.

[Stefan1024]

I really hope it's fine since I am moving in about a month to a place where it's stable 230VAC but until then I am stuck under these conditions. My old PSU was a TT 630W with 80% efficiency and it held together for a decent amount of time so I guess It's ok. What I love about Seasonic is the stability though. My TT would drop to 11.7V on the 12V rail. SS one stays at a constant 12V always, regardless of max stress.

Than it looks like the SS is comftable with your weird power grid. That's why we shouldn't cheap out on the PSU.

[don_svetlio]

Than it looks like the SS is comftable with your weird power grid. That's why we shouldn't cheap out on the PSU.

The power grid itself is okay in the city but I am currently in a rural area and it's power delivery system is rather old and worn out, thus the voltage fluctuation.

[don_svetlio]

Bump, I'd like a 2nd opinion before i mark this solved.

[blackadder]

Bump, I'd like a 2nd opinion before i mark this solved.

from what you're saying and the fact your not complaining about blue screens or shut downs, i think you're fine. Put those volage regs to work. 11.7 isn't bad at all for the stress. Seasonic is rock steady if ot holds 12v fine.

[don_svetlio]

from what you're saying and the fact your not complaining about blue screens or shut downs, i think you're fine. Put those volage regs to work. 11.7 isn't bad at all for the stress. Seasonic is rock steady if ot holds 12v fine.

It did go down all the way to 192V today and the PC didn't seem to notice. I am more afraid of damaging the brand new PSU but you're saying it's A-OK for it to run? I guess the low voltage means it draws more Amps from the wall?

[blackadder]

It did go down all the way to 192V today and the PC didn't seem to notice. I am more afraid of damaging the brand new PSU but you're saying it's A-OK for it to run? I guess the low voltage means it draws more Amps from the wall?

well its down steping the voltage and splitting it so kinda. It probably will draw more as it compensates for a unstable input power. But thats its job make power from the wall stable and the right voltage. Parts may wear out quicker but you'll be moving soon so just tuff it out, if it goes seasonic is pretty good with rmas most the time.

Stefan1024 knows his stuff so, you can always wait for another post from him.

[Stefan1024]

It did go down all the way to 192V today and the PC didn't seem to notice. I am more afraid of damaging the brand new PSU but you're saying it's A-OK for it to run? I guess the low voltage means it draws more Amps from the wall?

The PSU won't get hurt if your voltage stays between 90 volts and 260 volts. However there migth be some awful sharp and short spikes on the power grid you can't measure with your voltmeter. The PSU has a spike protection, but it can only stand a limited number of spikes per minute before it overheats.

 

Nervertheless you don't have to worry about because:

1) In high quality PSUs like the SS, the protection circuit is designed well and can stand a high amount of spikes.

2) Much more cheap devices will die a long time before the SS, if the power grid actually is THAT bad. As long as there aren't a lot of other electronic devices in you house that dies  within thre month you are fine.

 

Due to the fact that power = voltage * corrent the PSU has to draw a bit more current from the wall when the voltage is falling to ensure a constant power output. That's normal.

 

I'm sure that SS uses a sofisticated voltage ragulation circuit. Therefor it can compensate the voltage fluctuation. Probably the current flowing in and out the buffer condensators increases a bit, but they are fine with that. It may shorten the lifespann by ~0-20% due to the fact they get sligthly hotter. But again, this is only true when running the PSU at 100% load with fluctuating input voltage all the time. You are very faw away from this scenario by using the PSU in your PC (low load most of the time) for only one month.

 

Long speak short: You are fine

 

Also thanks to @blackadder

[don_svetlio]

The PSU won't get hurt if your voltage stays between 90 volts and 260 volts. However there migth be some awful sharp and short spikes on the power grid you can't measure with your voltmeter. The PSU has a spike protection, but it can only stand a limited number of spikes per minute before it overheats.

 

Nervertheless you don't have to worry about because:

1) In high quality PSUs like the SS, the protection circuit is designed well and can stand a high amount of spikes.

2) Much more cheap devices will die a long time before the SS, if the power grid actually is THAT bad. As long as there aren't a lot of other electronic devices in you house that dies  within thre month you are fine.

 

Due to the fact that power = voltage * corrent the PSU has to draw a bit more current from the wall when the voltage is falling to ensure a constant power output. That's normal.

 

I'm sure that SS uses a sofisticated voltage ragulation circuit. Therefor it can compensate the voltage fluctuation. Probably the current flowing in and out the buffer condensators increases a bit, but they are fine with that. It may shorten the lifespann by ~0-20% due to the fact they get sligthly hotter. But again, this is only true when running the PSU at 100% load with fluctuating input voltage all the time. You are very faw away from this scenario by using the PSU in your PC (low load most of the time) for only one month.

 

Long speak short: You are fine

 

Also thanks to @blackadder

Thank you very much for putting my fears at easy. The voltage is only occasionally that bad, usually it stays within parameter. As for spikes, idk how often they occur by I ran my TT PSU fine for a month or so and I have two ACs running for several years now (2 and 4 respectively). My last PC also had a cheap-ish CM PSU that is still running after 4 years of use. The only device that has actually died is an old window-mounted AC that got hit with 300V a few years ago.