2. tech-talk
  3. 186111-20253

Idalia and Power Issues

I had started another thread on whole house surge protectors and the value of using them in combination with plug-in surge protectors. Forty-eight hours after I started that thread the weather models all started forecasting it would go over my head sometime Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

I’m going to use this thread to keep track of any power problems I experience.

My power protection:

  • Siemens BoltShield in the panel
  • Furman with SMP, LiFT and EVS in the HT rack
  • Three APC UPS used for PC’s, telecom and nightstand
  • External gas-discharge tube on coaxial Internet
  • 3’ of fiber to air gap the modem from the router
  • Ethernet isolator before HT network switch
  • Tripp Lite Isobar surge strips in a couple of locations.

Of course, the ideal situation is to unplug everything before a major storm, but that only works if you know they are going to happen.

I'd like to ask this thread to stay focused on Idalia and any power related issues you suffer as a result.

erik_squires
erik_squires OP
16,057 posts
 

I should also say that if I can I absolutely WILL turn off the power to my equipment before a major storm, but that may or may not be possible, and I do intend to leave my telecom equipment on 24/7 as I need it for communication.

That last part is kind of iffy though as my cable provider and T-Mobile seem to be colocated nearby, so when the power goes out to the tower, so does the Internet.  You would think these two systems would provide me with redundant coverage but about half the time they do not.

erik_squires OP
16,057 posts
 

PS - Here is the other thread:

 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/why-whole-house-surge-protectors-are-not-enough

jeffrey125
282 posts
 

I think if you are in the path of this storm flooding maybe a bigger issue, what do I know I live in a desert. Hope all in its path weather the storm well.

erik_squires OP
16,057 posts
 

Hey @jeffrey125

Depends where you are. For sure Florida will have that problem from the storm surge (the ocean moving inland) and the rain.

The further away Idalia moves from the ocean the less moisture and energy it has.

Given the long path over land Idalia will have, and where my home is the storm surge isn’t a problem, but wind and rain will be, but not nearly as bad as Florida.

That 80 MPH wind will definitely challenge our power lines with an abundance of trees falling on them, and other such problems.

jeffrey125
282 posts
 

@erik_squires hopefully it will Peter out before making its way north. One can hope and pray. 

More to discover