Losing internet connection every night...

For the past two weeks, my logs have been telling me that my internet
connection has been going down every single night around 3AM...

At first, I didn't think much of it and figured RR was doing some
middle-of-the-night upgrades. After all, they did just bump us up to
7Mbps.

But after a while, it became irrating because from ~3AM to ~7AM, the
connection would go up and down, up and down -- generating a bunch of logs.

Tonight, it happened much earlier and being awake, I found the guilty party.
It seems the cat has decided that where the surge protector lies on the
floor makes a nice place for him to sleep. The power adapter overlaps the
surge protector strip just enough for it be rocked back and force: power on,
power off, power on, power off! LOL

Damn cat...

"Eric" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:46ba6597$0$8012$(E-Mail Removed)...
> For the past two weeks, my logs have been telling me that my internet
> connection has been going down every single night around 3AM...
>
> At first, I didn't think much of it and figured RR was doing some
> middle-of-the-night upgrades. After all, they did just bump us up to
> 7Mbps.
>
> But after a while, it became irrating because from ~3AM to ~7AM, the
> connection would go up and down, up and down -- generating a bunch of
> logs.
>
> Tonight, it happened much earlier and being awake, I found the guilty
> party. It seems the cat has decided that where the surge protector lies on
> the floor makes a nice place for him to sleep. The power adapter overlaps
> the surge protector strip just enough for it be rocked back and force:
> power on, power off, power on, power off! LOL
>
> Damn cat...
>

Power adapter for one of my main routers...

On Aug 8, 8:53 pm, "Eric" <nob...@anywhere.nnn> wrote:
> Damn cat...

Solve the problem. Eliminate a protector, that when too close to
the router and too far from earth ground, may then contribute to
router damage. Instead install a properly earthed 'whole house'
protector that does more than all other protectors combined. Don't
blame the cat. The problem is a protector that also does not even
claim to protect that router AND that has significant history in
contibuting to damage of an adjacent appliance when too far from earth
ground.
On Aug 8, 8:53 pm, "Eric" <nob...@anywhere.nnn> wrote:
> Damn cat...

Solve the problem. Eliminate a protector that, when too close to
the router and too far from earth ground, may even contribute to
router damage. Instead install a properly earthed 'whole house'
protector that does more than all other protectors combined. Don't
blame the cat. The problem is a misplaced protector that also does
not even claim to protect that router AND that has significant history
in contibuting to damage of an adjacent appliance when too far from
earth ground.

Did you know that phone lines and cable already have effective
protection? Did you know those utility wires were already surge
protected by something, installed free, that cats will not disturb?

"Eric" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>> Tonight, it happened much earlier and being awake, I found the guilty
>> party. It seems the cat has decided that where the surge protector lies on
>> the floor makes a nice place for him to sleep. The power adapter overlaps
>> the surge protector strip just enough for it be rocked back and force:
>> power on, power off, power on, power off! LOL
>>
>> Damn cat...

>Power adapter for one of my main routers...

How about building something like this?
<http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/drivel/slides/wall-wart-01.html>
However, it's not cat proof. Build a welded wire mesh cage, and put
it over the mess. If it works, patent it as a cat proof power strip
protector.

Actually, I've had to deal with far too many flakey and intermittent
power strips. The internal brass contacts just simply do not apply
enough pressure to the power plug blades. The power plug blades also
vary considerably in thickness. Sometimes, I can twist the plug
blades slightly, but most often, I'm stuck with replacing the power
strip. I keep a supply in the truck. If the power plug or wall wart
is loose in the receptacle, you are going to have flakey power
problems, even without the cats help.

For power receptacles that are difficult to replace, such as those
built into UPS power supplies, I have to decide whether to repair or
replace. Most often, it's replace, but I do it in my palatial office,
not in the field.


--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Eric wrote:
>
> Damn cat...
>
>

That's actually a really nice story, considering how much
troubleshooting if often needed to find the issue.

It wasn't a "technical" issue at all, personally I've found intermittent
issues with wireless to be the most frustrating of all technical problems..

On Aug 10, 6:55 pm, w_tom <w_t...@usa.net> wrote:
> On Aug 8, 8:53 pm, "Eric" <nob...@anywhere.nnn> wrote:
>
> > Damn cat...
>
> Solve the problem. Eliminate a protector, that when too close to
> the router and too far from earth ground, may then contribute to
> router damage. Instead install a properly earthed 'whole house'
> protector that does more than all other protectors combined. Don't
> blame the cat. The problem is a protector that also does not even
> claim to protect that router AND that has significant history in
> contibuting to damage of an adjacent appliance when too far from earth
> ground.
> On Aug 8, 8:53 pm, "Eric" <nob...@anywhere.nnn> wrote:
>
> > Damn cat...
>
> Solve the problem. Eliminate a protector that, when too close to
> the router and too far from earth ground, may even contribute to
> router damage.

For anyone who can read, the problem is the cat.

Excellent information on surges and surge protection from the IEEE is
at:
http://omegaps.com/Lightning%20Guide...ion_May051.pdf
And from the NIST at:
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/p.../surgesfnl.pdf

Both say plug-in suppressors are effective.

Note that all interconnected equipment needs to be connected to the
same plug-in suppressor, or interconnecting wires need to go through
the suppressor. External connections, like phone, also need to go
through the suppressor. Connecting all wiring through the suppressor
prevents damaging voltages between power and signal wires. These
multiport suppressors are described in both guides.

--
bud--

Oh, I don't blame the kitty. Just thought it was funny.

The powerstrip is now behind a bookcase where he can't use it for a
pillow...