Power Surges Caused by HVAC Equipment
Power Surges Caused by HVAC Equipment
Hi, I have a curious case... I reside in a condo where the two HVAC units/fans are connected to the same circuit as my main desktop setup. Whenever either of them shuts down, I notice a brief audio disturbance coming from my speakers and occasional monitor flickering. My system is linked to an APC BE850G2 battery backup. It seems these spikes are affecting my components. Apparently, when the HVAC units turn on, there are also noticeable power dips that resemble this issue, though that hasn’t occurred recently. Should I be concerned? Could these spikes lead to damage or long-term wear? If so, what steps can I take to safeguard my hardware from such disturbances? APC suggested a $1300 enterprise battery backup, which is quite an investment. Thanks!
@Lutfij confirms it's possible to move in. I also have a circuit tester available if needed.
A top-tier surge protector must possess a minimum joule capacity of 2,000 joules.
The APC BE850G2 meets this requirement with 354 joules.
Cyberpowersystems also highlights that each surge demands a certain amount of energy, which is irreversibly consumed. Consequently, after sufficient surges, the device loses its protective capability. For instance, if an 800-joule protector absorbs eight surges of 100 joules each, it will no longer safeguard against further surges.
Most surge protectors feature an LED indicator to show active protection and ongoing safety for connected devices. Yet this light does not display the remaining joule count until the battery is fully drained. When that occurs, the light extinguishes, indicating the device has absorbed its maximum capacity.
For a desktop PC setup, surge protection should reach at least 2,000 joules.
Additionally, sudden on/off cycles of HVAC equipment can generate voltage spikes that disrupt PC operation, sometimes triggering restarts. Ensure your computer is powered by a robust power supply unit capable of managing these fluctuations. A high-quality PSU with sufficient wattage can effectively handle such variations.
It’s not recommended to connect a UPS directly into a surge protector for more than one purpose.
If I were making the decision, I’d opt for a basic 4,000-joule surge protector priced around twenty dollars, using the APC BE850G2 for my alarm clock in case of power loss so I can wake up. I’d also verify that my computer’s PSU is of good quality and has ample wattage to accommodate the extra load from the HVAC system.
Thank you for the guidance. I reached out to APC several years back regarding their UPS models and how their joule ratings didn’t fully capture the surge protection capabilities. They mentioned that the joule rating alone didn’t reflect the real protection level, possibly explaining why a 354 joule unit could offer protection similar to higher-rated devices. The specs page doesn’t mention this detail. I suspect they used terms like EJ or equivalent-joules. Additionally, the APC UPS page lists a $75,000 surge protection equipment policy, suggesting the rating might not be sufficient.
I currently own a Corsair RM850x 850 W 80 Plus Gold PSU. According to my APC UPS app, it idles around 150 W with the monitor, including audio and display. I only use my computer at night, and during that time I haven’t experienced any restarts—just occasional audio glitches and the monitor flickering briefly. My 5070ti requires a 750W PSU, which Nvidia specifies, so I’m confident there’s enough power available.
Could these voltage spikes affect my computer, monitor, or speakers?
I can install a robust surge protector to replace the UPS; based on my experience over the past 15 years in this city, the power has remained stable.
I got a line interactive UPS with AVR and true sine wave. These units are built to filter out noisy power. Surge protectors typically clamp at 330V, meaning anything lower passes through. Thanks to everyone!