On Feb 4, 2006, at 5:54 AM, iMac List wrote:
In-Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Message-Id: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
From: Kevin Clark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Power-up Sequence?
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2006 09:28:46 +0000
My G4 iMac 800 keeps blowing the mains (AC) fuse in the plug when I
turn it on at the wall. I'm turning on everything simultaneously as
the iMac and my 2 external LaCie firewire-connected drives (hard disc
and CD-burner) are on the same multi-plug block. Should I be turning
on the main power to these 2 external drives at a different time to
the iMac's power - ie before or after it? Could this be the reason
the iMac's fuse keeps blowing or might there be another reason I
should investigate? I've upped the iMac's plug fuse from a 3 amp to 5
amp and now a 13 amp in the hope of making it more stable....did I do
right?
Kevin:
Please help us in North America understand your hookup.
blowing the mains (AC) fuse in the plug when I
turn it on at the wall.
You have 220/240 electrical service. Is the switch at chest level on
the wall? Otherwise, is it correct to say that, at the receptacle, you
have a heavy duty plug with both a switch and a fuse? I seem to recall
seeing such things in Ireland.
same multi-plug block.
And does the plug/switch/fuse assembly belong to your multi-plug
block?? Is this block also a surge protector? Is it this fuse that
you are upping? Perhaps a good, medium priced surge protector is all
you need.
the iMac's fuse keeps blowing or might there be another reason I
should investigate?
In North America, the iMac has an internal fuse. In the UK, does the
iMac have a fuse in its own plug? Does this fuse blow? I would never
up a fuse that comes with electronic equipment from the manufacturer.
I've upped the iMac's plug fuse from a 3 amp to 5
amp and now a 13 amp
Whether this fuse is in the plug belonging to the multi-plug block or
to the iMac itself, you did NOT do right for electronic equipment. At
http://www.lowendmac.com/imacs/imac17.html
we see that the 800MHz G4 iMac draws 130W of power. That is about 1.1
amp in North America and roughly 0.6 amp in the UK. At startup time,
the draw would be perhaps two times that much for a brief surge.
Your 13 amp fuse is roughly equivalent to a 26 amp capacity in North
America. That is more than what we use for major appliances and close
to the standard 30 amp fuse for an electric clothes dryer. Our flat
irons and toasters take about 10 amps, equivalent to 5 amps in the UK.
Should I be turning
on the main power to these 2 external drives at a different time to
the iMac's power - ie before or after it?
Your initial 3 amp fuse should suffice. In North America, we can buy
"slow-blow" fuses that help handle initial startup surges. But I know
of no reason to use aftermarket fuses of this type for electronic
equipment.
I would go back to the original configuration and experiment, beginning
with each plug-in component in turn. Use a 3 amp fuse. Plug only the
iMac into the block. What happens? Unplug the iMac and try each of
the external drives separately. If the fuse blows, you have identified
the device causing the problem. If the fuse does not blow, then
rearrange your equipment or your routine.
Do your external drives have their own power switches? Switch them on
one after another, or physically plug them into the block. Do this
before turning on the iMac. Again, try a good surge protector.
Al Poulin
Anger, hate, and revenge are for the devil, forgiveness is for God,
proactive self-defense is for the rest of us.
--
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