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timmmay

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#171963 7-May-2015 07:36
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It seems like we have almost monthly power outages caused by high winds in Johnsonville. Whenever it's particularly windy I shut down the computers and AV equipment because there's a 50/50 chance we'll lose power. We lost power last night, and I wouldn't be surprised if it happens tonight as the wind is higher. This isn't my house, this is the whole area including street lights, sometimes taking out hundreds of houses including a friend who lives 3 minutes drive away. Power lines are above ground in my street too, they undergrounded most of the area but missed my street.

Is there anyone I can contact to raise this? They probably know already because they have to fix it, but sometimes it feels third world.

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MikeB4
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  #1299604 7-May-2015 07:41
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There were winds gusting to 140km yesterday and during the night. I am sure the power suppliers are fully aware of the situation.
You live in a high wind zone it is something you will have to get used to unless you and other residence want to pay to have all the power reticulation put under ground.



johnr
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  #1299605 7-May-2015 07:42
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Power cables underground would be the only other option

timmmay

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  #1299608 7-May-2015 07:52
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Given it takes out a significant fraction of the neighborhood it's probably a core feed not a little line down my street. You'd think given it's been happening for a couple of years they'd do something about it.



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  #1299619 7-May-2015 08:08
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Lines crossing in the wind can easily take out large areas.

johnr
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  #1299628 7-May-2015 08:20
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timmmay: Given it takes out a significant fraction of the neighborhood it's probably a core feed not a little line down my street. You'd think given it's been happening for a couple of years they'd do something about it.


They fix it and restore the power go buy some candles

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  #1299630 7-May-2015 08:24
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timmmay: It seems like we have almost monthly power outages caused by high winds in Johnsonville. ...


Power cuts, and more importantly, the switch-on surge that follow them, can easily destroy IT equipment.
You are obviously aware of this risk.

Get a good UPS - not a cheap and nasty Dick Smith toy, but a serious UPS such as an APC - expensive but worth it.




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timmmay

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  #1299631 7-May-2015 08:25
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Yes they fix that individual problem, but it keeps happening over and over, just about every time there's high winds. If it was my property and it happened more than once I'd go for a longer term solution.

We have good disaster supplies in terms of lighting, heating, cooking, etc, so it's not really a big problem, it's just annoying and can't be good for appliances - potential surges and such I guess.

 
 
 

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timmmay

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  #1299632 7-May-2015 08:28
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Sideface:
timmmay: It seems like we have almost monthly power outages caused by high winds in Johnsonville. ...


Power cuts, and more importantly, the switch-on surge that follow them, can easily destroy IT equipment.
You are obviously aware of this risk.

Get a good UPS - not a cheap and nasty Dick Smith toy, but a serious UPS such as an APC - expensive but worth it.


I got an APC UPS but I couldn't stand the high pitched noise it makes so I returned it. I have surge protectors on all equipment, which is probably better than nothing.

Lias
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  #1299636 7-May-2015 08:32
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Solution:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farming-industry/industrial/generators-power-supply/diesel/auction-883210833.htm




I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.


timmmay

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  #1299639 7-May-2015 08:37
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That's only a solution for me, not for the other 1000 homes that have regular power outages.

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  #1299641 7-May-2015 08:44
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timmmay: ... I got an APC UPS but I couldn't stand the high pitched noise it makes so I returned it. I have surge protectors on all equipment, which is probably better than nothing.



What high-pitched noise?  I've got four APC units (all 1000VA or higher), and they are silent as the grave (until a power cut, when they are very noisy indeed).

Maybe you had a faulty unit?




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dwl

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  #1299643 7-May-2015 08:44
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I assume you are served via Wellington Electricity. If so, talk to them (915 6100), saying you are concerned about the frequency of the cuts and ask whether there is a known reason or whether they are all different isolated events (assuming they don't direct you to your retailer). It doesn't need to be a complaint and they don't want the power to fail either. There might be reasons like trees where they have powers to trim but neighbours might be making that process difficult where some local discussion might also help.

kiwitrc
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  #1299647 7-May-2015 08:49
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I assume its WEL you contact, I agree that's crap distribution if they cant sort out where the problem is occurring. Mind you high winds in Wellington are pretty rare............

Geektastic
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  #1299648 7-May-2015 08:50
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timmmay: It seems like we have almost monthly power outages caused by high winds in Johnsonville. Whenever it's particularly windy I shut down the computers and AV equipment because there's a 50/50 chance we'll lose power. We lost power last night, and I wouldn't be surprised if it happens tonight as the wind is higher. This isn't my house, this is the whole area including street lights, sometimes taking out hundreds of houses including a friend who lives 3 minutes drive away. Power lines are above ground in my street too, they undergrounded most of the area but missed my street.

Is there anyone I can contact to raise this? They probably know already because they have to fix it, but sometimes it feels third world.


We have the same issues in Martinborough. I have had more power cuts in the 8 years we have lived here than in the 38 years before emigrating I think!

The longest we had was a few years ago when (unusually) it snowed in the village. That one ran to 19 hours and when I called them to ask why, they told me it was an 'emergency' caused by the snow. We had about 2" of snow that lasted about 3 days....so lord knows what these people would think of running the lines system in Sweden or Canada!





timmmay

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  #1299654 7-May-2015 09:01
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Sideface:
timmmay: ... I got an APC UPS but I couldn't stand the high pitched noise it makes so I returned it. I have surge protectors on all equipment, which is probably better than nothing.



What high-pitched noise?  I've got four APC units (all 1000VA or higher), and they are silent as the grave (until a power cut, when they are very noisy indeed).

Maybe you had a faulty unit?


I might just have sensitive hearing. Ascent/UPC did say yes they do it but not many people can hear it.

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