I've spent the last few weeks trying to get my machine stable, one problem after another.. I've finally gotten it to work multiple days at a time but now the surge protector has tripped, at least twice now not sure why. I'm in another state at the moment so I can't change it out until Sunday. Anyways, would a 1000W PSU and an 850W PSU powering 5 GPU's (2 @ 250W, 3 @ 180W) blow a surge protector or is it likely the surge protector has gone bad? I feel like its not enough but I'm not an electrician or really know anything about the specifics.
Yes, that is exactly why it is tripping. Basic math, 2000 + 850 = 1850 watts/120V = 15.4 amps. While you may not be running at the exact maximum, you are probably pushing very close to that. In addition to the GPUs your system draws a little power ~50-75 watts and depending upon your PSU's efficiency it could add another 50 watts to the total draw. Have you used an external watt meter to measure the load being pulled from the PSUs? Just from the info you give and adding in system and UPS you could be right around 1400-1500 watts for both rigs.
I have some high quality Tripp-lite surge suppressors and they have a built in breaker that trips at 12 amps as they are supposed to be used on a 120V 15 amp circuit. The NEC limits a 15 amp circuit to 80% continuous load, which is 12 amps, thus why it is a commonly found breaker size on surge suppressors. On a 120V circuit, 12 amps equates to 1440 watts, or probably close to your total system draw. Maybe you surge suppressor is a bit weak, but you are also drawing a lot of power through it.
With your setup, you would need to power each rig off of a separate surge suppressor. You could run both rigs off the same circuit IF and only IF the breaker that feeds it is rated for 20 amps. Be thankful the surge suppressor is tripping as it is probably saving you from a far worse outcome.
