Home electrical questions

Remember that the power ratings from your PC power supplies and monitors are MAX load, not continuous. 1600W may still cover your usage if your breakers are doing their job, even without a line conditioner.

 

You can get a few of these to see exactly what your equipment is pulling. I have one and find it extremely useful. You could use one, just checking one device at a time.

$12 SURAIELEC Watt Meter, Plug-in Socket Power Meter, Auto Cost Calculator, Backlit Large Display, Overload Protection, Kilowatt Wattage Voltage AMP Tester, Electricity Usage Electrical Energy Monitor

https://www.amazon.com/Suraielec-Ca...2008&sprefix=plug+in+amp+check,aps,132&sr=8-5

 

yeah, i was actually looking into those.

 

I would recommend a UPS as well. Computers do NOT like sudden power outages.

The software that comes with it can show you your power usage as well.

 

That's an AFCI breaker. Unfortunately there is no way to know on that brand whether the trip was from an overload or from an arc-fault condition.

You could try replacing it with an up to date AFCI breaker as someone else said and maybe the problem will resolve itself, or temporarily or permanently replace it with a standard overload breaker to figure out if the issue is from an arc-fault or overload condition.

Regardless, it sounds like you need some more power. Plus you'll have dedicated power for your work computers. Just have an electrician add 2 circuits for you.

 

DO NOT run an extension cord please....if all of that fancy computer stuff actually pulls 2600 watts all on at the same time for too long that breaker is doing its job. That would be 21.666 amps. Arc faults have their issues and there was a run of bad batches a while back and still happens here and then with all manufacturers but I'd say that you'd likely need just a new 20A circuit to take off some load and you'll be good. I don't think that line conditioner is a bad Idea but I don't think it'll solve the problem either.

 

THIS! Pull that AFCI breaker out and install a "normal" 20A breaker. This should fix your problem. If not, since you have 2 additional circuit spaces left in your panel, you could run a new cable to feed up to 10 additional outlets in your office.

 

I have had a 10 year old AFCI breaker go bad the same way, tripping on small loads. I replaced it with a normal 20A breaker and it solved all my problems. Not a fan of AFCI...