(w_tom) writes:

Unervoltage - also known as a brownout - does not damage electronics.
Unfortunately too many take what they learned about motors and
expolate that to knowledge about electronics. One must first learn
basic concept before making assumptions such as low voltage will
damage a computer.

In an ideal world this would be so.

In the real World, it's quite possible that brownouts can cause
switchmode power supplies to fail.

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The Intel specs are quite bluntly clear about this. AC mains
voltage can drop so low that incandescent bulbs are at less than 40%
intensity. Even at that low voltage, a computer with a full load of
peripherals must power up and run normally. Where is the damage? It
only exists in a world where people don't learn simple technologies
nor read manufacturer numerical specs.

What is a shutdown? Power is removed. Electrolytic capacitors
slowly discharge. The computer suffers a brownout - diminished
voltage. So the computer is damaged? Of course not. Computer must
work just fine until voltage becomes too low - and then it must switch
to a no more output mode. IOW a shutdown is a brownout that
eventually becomes a blackout. But if brownouts - low voltage - cause
hardware damage, then a shutdown will also damage hardware.

Can computers be damaged by a brownout? Well if it is, then the
computer fails to mean numerous industry standards and defacto
standards that have exists longer than most every reader here. The
answer to the OPs question is found in those specs. If undervoltage
damages the electronics, then the human knows exactly what the reason
for failure was - the human.

"James Sweet" wrote in message . ..
"Greg" wrote in message
om...
...
My question to you, if you would be so kind...."What chance is
there
that the slightly under supply of grid voltage would severely
damage
pcs, or, is the pc damage more likely to be as a result of the
arcing
at the switchboard?"

Greg,
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia


Either undervoltage or arcing can damage equipment.