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Power Conditioning

173.57.76.75
Posted on May 3, 2015 at 10:51:58
dromney
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Dallas
Joined: September 9, 2010
 OK, this might be a little off topic for this forum but I trust the people on here to be well informed. Last Sunday night my next door neighbor's house got struck by lightning. He definitely got the worst of it, but the power surge did ruin a cable box and damage an Onkyo amp I use in my home theater. When I realized I had some damaged components I tried out my McIntosh equipment and my 20.1s, and thankfully they seem to be fine.

Anyway, most of my equipment is hooked up to a surge protector (so was the stuff that got destroyed though), but my Mac amp is plugged directly into the wall. I am not sure if there is anything out there that is really made for surge protection that can handle the power draw of the MC402. Mac makes a power conditioner, but of course it also carries a McIntosh $ price tag.

Any suggestions for power protection? I recently moved to the Dallas area and these thunderstorms are not uncommon here.

Thanks for any input.

 

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RE: Power Conditioning, posted on May 3, 2015 at 11:04:37
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 Get a relay type surge protector like that used in medical equipment. There are lots of them on the used market and they are rated for different power ranges, some of them in the high power amp category.

You can also get a transformer based power conditioner from the medical device used market.

For power cleanup get a decently built power strip and add a high voltage AC film capacitor across the two poles to ground (one each) on one of the plugs, that should get you 1/2 way to the results you get with the Shunyata power products, which are very impressive in noise reduction from the power line.

 

Unplug., posted on May 3, 2015 at 14:24:23
Audiophilander
Audiophile

Posts: 30200
Location: Fort Worth (D/FW Metroplex)
Joined: March 31, 2000
 I use surge protectors as well (BTW, I also live in the Metroplex on the Fort Worth side, so I'm familiar with nasty spring thunderstorms; lightening isn't always the worst of it).

For my money, Brick Wall surge protectors may be the best designed and implemented on the market. They may not get the sort of audiophile nod that PS Audio and the like get, but they're designed for quickness and use the kind of electrician recommended relays that aren't prone to failure. Note: I have both a Brick Wall and a PS Audio, and the PS Audio unit is too sensitive to minuscule power fluctuations (shutting down unexpectedly and requiring a reset), not that it would protect my gear any better in the event of a lightening strike. Note: I've edited this to include the BW url link below.

Truth is, surge protectors will only go so far in protecting gear. Virtually nothing will provide a 100% guarantee from a direct or near direct strike. The best option is to always unplug, especially at the onset of any fast moving storm front, Well designed surge protectors are good for two things: protecting gear from power spikes and providing a means for the owner to quickly unplug cords from a single source in the event of a dangerous storm.

Cheers,
AuPh

 

RE: Power Conditioning, posted on May 3, 2015 at 18:34:51
dumpingground
Audiophile

Posts: 256
Joined: February 23, 2011
 power surge can come down the coax line from your cable TV as well. Especially if the cable provider did not properly install an earth ground for your setup.

given that you said your cable box was hit that makes me suspect that that may have been the path for the surge.

 

RE: Power Conditioning, posted on May 4, 2015 at 00:57:55
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 You must distinguish between all the functions of the add-on devices.

For SURGE Protection, especially in T-Storm prone areas, you should consider WHOLE HOUSE protection.

Most power conditiioners may ALSO include some surge protection. Keep in mind that MOST surge protection devices use MOVs which while Dirt Cheap are also EXPENDIBLE and can only take so much 'zap' before becomeing useless.

Low current devices which require some power conditioning may be well served by use of an ISOLATION transformer. I use one on ALL my low power stuff.

And lastly, some power conditioners/ surge protectors will shut OFF all outlets if voltage exceeds some level. In my case, @135v or below about 95v, the outlets cut off.
Too much is never enough

 

x2, posted on May 4, 2015 at 06:52:54
grantv
Manufacturer

Posts: 7724
Location: B.C.
Joined: January 15, 2002
 For years now I always unplug when not listening, 10 seconds for peace of mind.

 

RE: Power Conditioning, posted on May 4, 2015 at 11:08:18
dromney
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Dallas
Joined: September 9, 2010
 Hard to say. My two Tivo boxes are both on the same coax line and they are fine, but my Verizon cable box was damaged. My Onkyo had the HDMI board damaged, and I think that is the problem with the cable box to, based on how it was acting. Maybe HDMI cards are especially succeptable?

 

RE: Unplug., posted on May 4, 2015 at 11:13:48
dromney
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Dallas
Joined: September 9, 2010
 Thanks for the advice. I will look into the brick wall and the brand Satie recommended. I agree unplugging is the only sure way to avoid a massive spike like those associated with lightning, but I want some protection on the line too. Maybe I just need to get into the habit of unplugging when not listening. I might be too lazy ...

 

x3, posted on May 4, 2015 at 14:50:29
slapshot
Audiophile

Posts: 2248
Joined: January 9, 2006
 I live in Colorado Springs, so lightning is a regular phenomenon. I unplug my system completely when not listening, except for the winter, when we don't get lightning. Surge protectors cannot really help against lightning, no matter what they may advertise.

 

whole house surge protection , posted on May 4, 2015 at 17:18:48
mbnx01
Audiophile

Posts: 7956
Location: Eagle, Idaho
Joined: October 22, 2004
 I just had one put in my main panel. It covers the entire house.




'A lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on'. -Mark Twain

 

RE: whole house surge protection , posted on May 6, 2015 at 23:54:07
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Is it MOV based? If so, and you live in a T-storm 'zone', I'd replace it at the start of every 3rd rainy season! Unless you could get the MOVs replaced. They are, after all, commodity cheap and available. Like a buck apiece.
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Power Conditioning, posted on May 24, 2015 at 07:05:35
Tympani
Audiophile

Posts: 236
Joined: July 24, 2001
 Environmental Potentials makes great stuff. I have the "Whole House" surge protector, with MOV status lights, and the Ground Noise Filter.

Peace of mind, bettered only by disconnecting the gear until use (which I hate to do, since all of my components sound better when left at least on Standby). And unplugging gear in anticipation of a storm only works if you're home!

http://ep2000.com/uploads/EP-2050_SeriesSpecifications.pdf
http://ep2000.com/uploads/EP_Ground%20Filter.pdf


 

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