for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners

RE: for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners, posted on July 6, 2012 at 07:07:35
jad Audiophile Posts: 228 Location: OH Joined: August 23, 2002	I built mine with a DU-5 to Batman's schematic and use a 15amp thermal breaker (instead of fuse) which is fed from a dedicated 20amp line. The transformer has power to it 24/7 and the breaker has never tripped in 10 years of use. I do use a sequencer to power up (and down) my equipment. If they powered on all at the same time that probably would trip the breaker.

RE: for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners, posted on July 9, 2012 at 08:02:40

jea48
Audiophile

Posts: 6770
Joined: January 5, 2005

I built mine with a DU-5 to Batman's schematic and use a 15amp thermal breaker (instead of fuse) which is fed from a dedicated 20amp line.

Used as balanced power system.
5000Va derated by 1/2.
2500Va divided by 120V = 20.8 amps.
20.8 X 125% = 26 amps. Minimum wire size #10 awg. (Minimum if full power potential of xfmr is desired.)
Breaker size 30 amp.

Depending on the total length of the #12 branch circuit wire, times 2, the transformer could be starved for dynamic head room power and thus not be able to supply the full power needed by a power amplifier connected to the balanced power xfmr.
(Also keep in mind the power efficiency of the xfmr is some what reduced because you are feeding the the primary winding with half the voltage the xfmr was designed to be fed by.)

RE: for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners, posted on July 11, 2012 at 06:24:32
jad Audiophile Posts: 228 Location: OH Joined: August 23, 2002	I believe your math and wire size are correct if I had a 26amp load on it, however, my equipment is less than 10amp load.

RE: for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners, posted on July 11, 2012 at 08:50:21

jea48
Audiophile

Posts: 6770
Joined: January 5, 2005

The Signal DU-5 transformer is capable of delivering about 23 amps @ 120V continuous connected load when used in a balanced power mode per the data sheet in the link provided. (Secondary windings are in series.)

Note I said continuous connected load.

In the case of a power amp the mains current draw will fluctuate depending on the dynamics and gain of the source material that is fed to the inputs of the amp. (Dependant on how good the power supply of the power amp.)

The better the supply mains power to the Signal xfmr the better the chance the xfmr will have in handling the dynamic current draw pulses placed upon it by the connected power amp.. Also the better output voltage regulation of the xfmr.

I should note the Signal DU-5 would probably sound better in your system if you fed the primary balanced power 240V (nominal) and paralleled the secondary windings for single ended 120V (nominal) out.

http://www.signaltransformer.com/sites/all/pdf/DU-SU.pdf

RE: for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners, posted on July 17, 2012 at 09:38:52

jad
Audiophile

Posts: 228
Location: OH
Joined: August 23, 2002

OK, from what you say the DU-5 is mismatched for my system which is triamped-290 watts each, total 870 watts, active crossover-10 watts, preamp-25 watts, CDP-25 watts, plus tuner,reel to reel, cassette etc that might bring the total around 1100 watts if I'm lucky. P=IV the total current draw with everything running is 1100/120 = 9.2 amps. The amps are Yamaha B2's - each have dual power supplies each with their own transformer and each with 36,000 mfd power supply capacitance. Components are powered up and down in sequence with a 15 sec interval (to allow settling) between components. From what you said in this thread and others is that I'm starving the amps of head room with the DU-5 and the 12awg mains wire coming from a 15amp panel breaker. I have a surplus DU-2 that I didn't use as I thought it might be too small. Is is a better match for may system? Thanks.

RE: for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners, posted on July 6, 2012 at 06:52:02
Dave Garretson Audiophile Posts: 2448 Joined: June 14, 2005	With DU I’m using a Schurter 20A thermal breaker(identical to the switch used in BPT's commercial balanced conditioner)to protect both hot and neutral on the line side of the trannie. The Schurter includes an illuminated rocker switch for on/off.

RE: for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners, posted on July 5, 2012 at 19:25:58

Batman
Audiophile

Posts: 4194
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Joined: March 31, 2000
Contributor
Since: June 16, 2000

For the DU-3 I would put a 10-15 amp fast-blo fuse in the PRIMARY of the transformer. Do NOT put fuses in the secondary because a soft fault might only blow one fuse leaving the whatever it's powering still energized with 60V.

RE: for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners, posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:26:08

jea48
Audiophile

Posts: 6770
Joined: January 5, 2005

For the DU-3 I would put a 10-15 amp fast-blo fuse in the PRIMARY of the transformer.

Used as a balance power system.

The 3000Va transformer is derated by 1/2.
1500Va divided by 120V = 12.5 amps.
12.5 X 125% = 15.62 amps. Minimum fuse size 15 amp if the full potential of the xfrm is to be utilized.

The drawing you supplied does not show GFCI protection , (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter), on the secondary output which is required for electrical safety.

RE: for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners, posted on August 23, 2012 at 14:50:28
wheezer Audiophile Posts: 4309 Joined: January 24, 2001	...GFI or a double pole breaker if one could find a small one for chassis mounting?

RE: for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners, posted on July 5, 2012 at 18:24:20
hennfarm Audiophile Posts: 535 Location: Oregon Joined: October 8, 2008	I have a signal du7.5, it stays powered up 24/7. Fed from a 20a breaker, dedicated circuit

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for those who built Signal DU/SU-based conditioners

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