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Old 06-17-2002, 10:49 AM   #3
MaggieL
in the Hour of Scampering
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Jeffersonville PA (15 mi NW of Philadelphia)
Posts: 4,060
Re: Weird side effect

Quote:
Originally posted by sycamore

The dialysis machine is a rather large unit, and I believe it runs on a 220V current. When Rho is plugged up to it at night, it causes the lights in our bathroom to flicker, sorta like a strobe effect....
I was concerned that it would eat up a lot of power, but I didn't notice a huge dent in our electric bill last month, so that's a good thing.
Probably the spike of current that the pumps draw during start-up causes a temporary voltage drop. I'm assuming the lights are flourescent? That initial spike is brief enough that it's not noticable in the overall electric bill, though.

I'm guessing that the machine is *not* 220v, unless you've tracked down a special 220v outlet to plug it into; not common in an apartment. It's probably the trying to get as much current as it needs to start at 120v that causes the voltage drop you're seeing in the bathrrom; it's likely on the same 120v branch circuit as the bedroom.. Goofy looking but basically harmless.

Peritoneal dialysis is indeed a modern marvel--as for the taxes, you're welcome. :-)
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