Tech said the Power Adapter can not be plugged into a strip?

**nitemare** · 02-09-2010 12:40 PM

Just had direcTV installed. Tech said the big black power adapter must be plugged directly into the wall so that the current is regular. I told him to use the power strip instead, but he said no because the electric current changes and can cause problems with the power of the dish.

Is this correct? So what if lightening hits or I get a power surge - well there goes my Dish equipment! I did not sign up for insurance so I am concerned about this.

I think I want to move it into the power strip.

**TDK1044** · 02-09-2010 12:48 PM

My DirecTV equipment has been plugged into a multi plug power strip for about 9 months with no issues.

**nitemare** · 02-09-2010 12:55 PM

From google searching,. it seems it is better to have it plugged in directly to wall.
Ill keep it where it is for now. Unless someone can claim different.

**sddtvtech** · 02-09-2010 01:16 PM

as a tech, ive plugged PIs into the strips. no issues there.

it may be something that the local office suggest, but no where do i understand that you cant plug a PI in the strip. i would perfer in a power surge strip.

if they say you cant use it in a strip, then why ground the system? thats beyond me.

**sum_random_dork** · 02-09-2010 01:38 PM

I was one of the first SWiM installs after the testing was done. We had an issue with one TV always losing it's signal. After a lot of research the issue came back to the power adapter being plugged into my Panamax power cleaner. When it was moved directly to the wall the issue disapeared. So that being said I am not surprised a tech would say to go to the wall. I had 4 visits and a 2nd dish installed and they still couldn't figure out the problem until we switched the plugs around.

**NYRANGERS** · 02-09-2010 02:34 PM

Mine has been plugged into my Monster Cable adapter since last February when I had the install and I've had no issues. Funny story, a few weeks ago my cat ran behind the TV and we didn't think anything about it. So all TVs in the house lost signal. I was going out so I didn't really look into it but my Dad called and the guy said to unplug the SWiM box and plug it back in. Thing is the cat unplugged it. LOL. That would be a good thing to know from the installer, that if it gets unplugged every receiver doesn't work.

**fleetfarmer** · 02-09-2010 02:34 PM

I've heard you're not supposed to plug an ethernet powerline adapter into a powerstrip, should go directly to wall outlet.

I don't know why an SMW PI isn't supposed to go into a powerstrip.

**wildbill129** · 02-09-2010 02:42 PM

As long as it's a decent surge suppressor you will be fine. It's the cheap ones with a lot of electronics plugged into them that have a difficult time maintaining voltage. Better yet, buy a UPS and it will do a better job of maintaining a constant voltage and provide excellent surge protection.

**Bob Nielsen** · 02-09-2010 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by fleetfarmer

I've heard you're not supposed to plug an ethernet powerline adapter into a powerstrip, should go directly to wall outlet.

I don't know why an SMW PI isn't supposed to go into a powerstrip.

The powerline ethernet adapters shouldn't be plugged into a strip because many of the strips have surge protection and EMI filtering which would filter out the networking signal (Directv sells a strip which has the adapter built-in and that works fine).

I have my SWM PI plugged into a UPS along with the DVR (and have done so for nearly 4 years). Using a strip shouldn't cause any problems.

**kovach** · 02-10-2010 08:43 AM

I had a few of those outlet/adapters screwed into my light sockets in the basement. The installer plugged it into that. So the guy upstairs is fidding with the receiver, the guy downstairs prepares to leave and switches the light out, and the whole system goes out.

No joke.

I seriously started to wonder about these guys at that moment. Although so far, so good (got the system in late October).