smoking router
- Thread starter johna
- Start date
- Status
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
Re: smoking router
This seems extremely unlikely. I'd guess there was some failure involved.
This seems extremely unlikely. I'd guess there was some failure involved.
luke warmwater
Senior Member
Re: smoking router
A power surge could have done it.
Alot of the new electronics seem to be very sensitive to power surges.
Computer power supplies, video cards, cable modems seem to be easy targets.
A power surge could have done it.
Alot of the new electronics seem to be very sensitive to power surges.
Computer power supplies, video cards, cable modems seem to be easy targets.
Re: smoking router
rattus has it correct. Likely either MOV or RFI filters installed N-G in the unit.
We use a lot of 120/60 balanced power in our data centers and all equipment has to be checked for components installed between N-G. It is not a big problem, but pops up occasionally.
rattus has it correct. Likely either MOV or RFI filters installed N-G in the unit.
We use a lot of 120/60 balanced power in our data centers and all equipment has to be checked for components installed between N-G. It is not a big problem, but pops up occasionally.
marcspages
Member
Re: smoking router
Could I throw a small spanner in the works here? Most routers have AC adapters, so was it the adapter or the router that let all the electronic steam out? Was the power to the adapter reversed, or was the power from the adapter in to the router reversed (in which case the router was forced to work backwards, and they usually object, violently, as you experienced)?
If powered directly (i.e. mains in to rear of router) then I agree, there may be some protection within the router not designed for full line voltage across the N-E connection - but you may have just had a bad component fail prematurely too.
M.
p.s. can you take a picture and post it? That way we can see what let go?
[ January 05, 2005, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: marcspages ]
Could I throw a small spanner in the works here? Most routers have AC adapters, so was it the adapter or the router that let all the electronic steam out? Was the power to the adapter reversed, or was the power from the adapter in to the router reversed (in which case the router was forced to work backwards, and they usually object, violently, as you experienced)?
If powered directly (i.e. mains in to rear of router) then I agree, there may be some protection within the router not designed for full line voltage across the N-E connection - but you may have just had a bad component fail prematurely too.
M.
p.s. can you take a picture and post it? That way we can see what let go?
[ January 05, 2005, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: marcspages ]
Re: smoking router
I probably should have mentioned that the receptacle in question is an old 2-prong. I believe the guy used an adapter and connected the ground tab to the middle screw.
This is a condo I inspected (home inspection) months ago. I was using a Suretest circuit tester and didn't note any reversed polarity in my report. Shortly thereafter I retired the tester when it started showing false ground on every receptacle in every house I inspected.
The current occupant claims many of the receptacles are wired backwards and that's why his router "burned up".
I probably should have mentioned that the receptacle in question is an old 2-prong. I believe the guy used an adapter and connected the ground tab to the middle screw.
This is a condo I inspected (home inspection) months ago. I was using a Suretest circuit tester and didn't note any reversed polarity in my report. Shortly thereafter I retired the tester when it started showing false ground on every receptacle in every house I inspected.
The current occupant claims many of the receptacles are wired backwards and that's why his router "burned up".
marcspages
Member
Re: smoking router
Eh! All AC adapters (and by 'adapter' I mean a power supply that converts 115/230V to a working voltage e.g. 16VDC which then feeds the equipment) I've seen supplied with peripheral kit from the US has simply two pins (i.e. no Earth). Having no Earth pin means the adapter can be put into the socket in either direction. This would make polarity a non-issue. Yes?
How long did the router function before it decided it was a box of fireworks? Did any other anomaly/damage occur within the premises at or about the same time? And how did the client conclude the sockets were reversed?
M.
Eh! All AC adapters (and by 'adapter' I mean a power supply that converts 115/230V to a working voltage e.g. 16VDC which then feeds the equipment) I've seen supplied with peripheral kit from the US has simply two pins (i.e. no Earth). Having no Earth pin means the adapter can be put into the socket in either direction. This would make polarity a non-issue. Yes?
How long did the router function before it decided it was a box of fireworks? Did any other anomaly/damage occur within the premises at or about the same time? And how did the client conclude the sockets were reversed?
M.
Re: smoking router
The guy opened up the box and saw a black wire connected to the side of the receptacle with the wide slot. Then he got a three-light tester, which, he claims, also indicates reversed polarity. I don't know of any other problems.
But you're right, the router probably has an adapter that connects either way, making reversed polarity a non-issue.
Thanks.
The guy opened up the box and saw a black wire connected to the side of the receptacle with the wide slot. Then he got a three-light tester, which, he claims, also indicates reversed polarity. I don't know of any other problems.
But you're right, the router probably has an adapter that connects either way, making reversed polarity a non-issue.
Thanks.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: smoking router
Ok first i think your off the hook because if he used one of these adaptors and grounded it to the plate screw he most likely does not have a ground but thinks he has.For that adapter to work he must either have emt or some other metal connection back to the panel and the neutral must be bonded to the panel either there or to a main panel.Being you said he has 2 prong receptacles this indicates to me that he likely either has knob and tube or 2 wire romex.In short he altered the wiring.Now as far as reversed polarity goes yes it could fry some electronics.With a schematic of the router i could tell you if this is the case.The mov could burn up and if its on the circuit board could burn other items with it.Am curious just how could one check for polarity on a 2 prong ? posibly with a hot stick.You may be partly to blame if you did not correctly check polarity.Do 2 prong receptacles have a wide and narrow slot ?
[ January 05, 2005, 05:05 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
Ok first i think your off the hook because if he used one of these adaptors and grounded it to the plate screw he most likely does not have a ground but thinks he has.For that adapter to work he must either have emt or some other metal connection back to the panel and the neutral must be bonded to the panel either there or to a main panel.Being you said he has 2 prong receptacles this indicates to me that he likely either has knob and tube or 2 wire romex.In short he altered the wiring.Now as far as reversed polarity goes yes it could fry some electronics.With a schematic of the router i could tell you if this is the case.The mov could burn up and if its on the circuit board could burn other items with it.Am curious just how could one check for polarity on a 2 prong ? posibly with a hot stick.You may be partly to blame if you did not correctly check polarity.Do 2 prong receptacles have a wide and narrow slot ?
[ January 05, 2005, 05:05 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: smoking router
I was asking about the wide slot because its been a long time since i seen any.I do recall some exstention cords that would not take a polorized plug.Years ago i did tv repairs and there were some sets that if polarity was wrong you had a 120 volts on chasis.It needs to be watched.In this case he said there was an adapter so that indicates the router had 3 prongs.2 people are at fault in this case.If i as an electrician goofed and reversed polarity and caused damage we would be exspected to pay the bill.Should a home inspector missing this on an inspection pay too ? He was hired to check this and there is no excuse for missing it.
I was asking about the wide slot because its been a long time since i seen any.I do recall some exstention cords that would not take a polorized plug.Years ago i did tv repairs and there were some sets that if polarity was wrong you had a 120 volts on chasis.It needs to be watched.In this case he said there was an adapter so that indicates the router had 3 prongs.2 people are at fault in this case.If i as an electrician goofed and reversed polarity and caused damage we would be exspected to pay the bill.Should a home inspector missing this on an inspection pay too ? He was hired to check this and there is no excuse for missing it.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: smoking router
http://iguana18.securesites.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=bes&Product_Code=223I&Category_Code=w13
guess at least some are polorized maybe all
[ January 05, 2005, 06:28 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
http://iguana18.securesites.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=bes&Product_Code=223I&Category_Code=w13
guess at least some are polorized maybe all
[ January 05, 2005, 06:28 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: smoking router
The words in the contract are a 'representative sampling'
Not necessarily, if you read the contract for a HI (at least a NACHI HI) you will find that you are not paying for every single device to be checked.
The words in the contract are a 'representative sampling'
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: smoking router
With that wording no he is not responsible.But why would they not check all of them.The one they missed might be dead.Average 3bd 2 bth home takes how long on average to inspect everything.Maybe i exspect to much.Gave thought to being a HI might still do it.Do they get any pressure not to find to many problems with any one house ?
With that wording no he is not responsible.But why would they not check all of them.The one they missed might be dead.Average 3bd 2 bth home takes how long on average to inspect everything.Maybe i exspect to much.Gave thought to being a HI might still do it.Do they get any pressure not to find to many problems with any one house ?
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: smoking router
If the contract said 'all' and they missed one they would be violating the contract.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: smoking router
Jim do your electrical inspectors verify each and every device?
Jim do your electrical inspectors verify each and every device?
Re: smoking router
If I remember right, a 50 year old house would not have the wide slot for neutral. A good way to test polarity is with the little neon test lights which used to cost 29 cents, but now cost $3.00. Hold one pin in your bare hand and push the other into the slot. You should get a faint glow on the hot side. A proximity tester might do it too; I will check that out if I can find mine.
If I remember right, a 50 year old house would not have the wide slot for neutral. A good way to test polarity is with the little neon test lights which used to cost 29 cents, but now cost $3.00. Hold one pin in your bare hand and push the other into the slot. You should get a faint glow on the hot side. A proximity tester might do it too; I will check that out if I can find mine.
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