Arunion wrote:And after having talked to my father (who's an engineer and an electrician) I've found out that there is... I've no idea what it's called in English. Let me check. "ground fault"? issues. So it is indeed not my computer that is drawing that power but rather some issues with other things on the fuse I'm on. I'll have to report back when we've had an electrician look at it. Thank you for suggesting that it wasn't my computer at fault
And I doubt that the owner is a weed farmer considering he's the only other occupant of the house
I imagine it's something to do with him having a barn since I technically live on a farm. But if he does have a weed farm, when he's one of the most innocent men I've met, I'd be impressed!
(I think you mean "the
Circuit you are on." The fuse is the overload device protecting that circuit from excessive current)
I'm extremely good at growing weeds in my garden... but that isn't the sort of hydroponics "medicinal" weed being hinted at...
No, it all sounds like your recent usage of an old circuit has caused some sort of leakage - perhaps old insulation has begun to fail, and is now allowing a small "short circuit" of some sort. Small enough to use a lot of electricity, but not big enough to overload the fuse.
This is very much what happened in my old house. The current that flowed continuously was high enough to triple my average consumption, but not high enough to blow the fuse (which happens only when the current is high, not when it is leaking away somewhere else).
Glad to hear there is a fault. Well, not glad about there being a fault, but pleased the suggestion was helpful, and you now know the PC is not the problem.
Is there any way your father can "have a look" quickly? (I presume location/distance is a problem, else he might have sorted it for you already.)
Ground fault (or possibly called an Earth fault) is when the positive volts leak away to ground. Current flows, but it is just bleeding away, and doing no useful work. Old insulation on old wiring might be responsible. I hope you can get it fixed fast (or rather, the landlord gets it fixed....)
Have you been able to identify which circuit is the problem? Or are all of the power outlets you are using on a single circuit? It might be safer, to temporarily run an extension cord from a different circuit, known to be working OK, and shut off the damaged circuit entirely. Just be very careful about weather proofing, if it has to run outside.
Most modern electrical installations use an "RCD" (Residual Current Detector) - it compares the outgoing current along the positive line, with that returning back along the neutral line, and trips the circuit if they differ by more than (typically) 30 milliamps. Because, that means the current is leaking away, possibly electrocuting someone. It is a safety device. But there is no legal requirement to retrofit these things in any existing building.
I presume your Dad knows all about this stuff, so I should probably just shut up and let him deal with it for you. Good luck!