Power Conditioners and such

[chuck10553]

So i recently got a Samsung Ln46a750 which for me as a college student is perfect size and has perfect features and such (I know i prolly don't need anything quite so nice for college but what the heck :-D) and was looking into power conditioners and heard about voltage regulators and surge protectors (which i have a small one of) and am wondering what is necessary. I do know a surge protector is def necessary and do want to upgrade it but if a power conditioner is necessary i have read a lot of them have the surge protector built in. I have read things that some people do not believe that power conditioners work and say its just another monster/ bose scheme to get money for fancy looking equipment at high prices that don't really do much. So basically what do i need/ should i have/ would be a luxury/ does absolutely nothing but provide fancy looking equipment and lights.
Thanks!

 

[10010011]

Well here is something to think about...

I am an engineer for one of the largest manufacturers of UPS's and line conditioners in the country.

I have a UPS on my computers and my Tivo to keep them running during power outages and nothing, besides a power strip with MOV's on my TV and HTS.

 

[ChunkyDark]

If you think you need a power conditioner (lots of brown outs, lights flicker, ect) you can get something simple like this:
http://www.buy.com/prod/apc-line-r-1200va-automatic-voltage-regulator-external-ac-220-230-240/q/loc/101/10353993.html

There is a "home theater" version; apc av h type. Those are much higher priced, but cooler looking

/yes i got the h15

 

[BobSD]

Power conditioners to me are much more then a surge protectors. They actually manage in coming power, and can even reduce stress on your equipment. I have auditioned the Power Plant Premire, Furman, and the moster 5500. Both the PPP, and the Furman upgraded the sound by isolating electircal cables and making a cleaner sound that is very noticeable from just a surge protector. I an sure the PPP will be much more then you would want at this point in your life to buy, but it really cleans up the in coming Ac power by converting it to DC and back to AC to your equipment, no power fluctuation. In the future if you have considerable investment in your audio equipment keep power conditioners on your back burner.

 

[Djizasse]

upgraded the sound by isolating electircal cables and making a cleaner sound that is very noticeable from just a surge protector

I don't believe this, unless your electrical installation is really screwed.
Where can I read more about this?

 

[BobSD]

Check out the Power Plant Premire site, for one, read audio mags. about power conditioners, vist a high end audio shop.

 

[GlocksRock]

While I don't generally have any issues with power in my area, I still have the APC H15, which I can't tell a difference in PQ or AQ, but I do like that it regulates the voltage, which means longer life for the lamp in my DLP tv, and just offers more peace of mind, and lots of outlets for all my gear.

 

[lsiberian]

I got a APC Power Conditioner recently for like 20 bucks at fry's. I got it for it's asethetics and design. You can plug stuff in the back of it and have it look like a part of the rack rather than a typical power strip.

It did nothing to improve my sound. Putting my speakers closer to the wall did improve my sound. If you want better sound move around your speakers. Don't waste time with PCs or speaker wire.

 

[sholling]

I keep my TV (Samsung LN52A850), satellite DVR, PS3, and media PC plugged into an APC 1200VA UPS but plan to shut them down during any outages. We get a lot of brownouts and I want the voltage regulation, and I get tired of resetting the clock on the TV. My receiver and DVD players go though a Belkin Pure AV power center just for surge suppression.

In reality most people will be happy with a very good quality surge suppressor but I would not trust a cheap one. I also believe in changing out surge suppressors annually. Of course I've had a bad experience that's made me extra careful. Years ago a surge took out my Sony XBR TV, DVD player, and PC.

 

[GlocksRock]

Why would you need to change out sure suppressors annually? Do they go bad, or wear out or something?

 

[niget2002]

I got one the APC h15 simply because of the good price. I also "heard" that it would be good for my bulb life or my RP tv.

I run all my gear through it and have only had the under-voltage kick in a few times.

I also think the blue LEDs make a great night light for the living room.

I also can't see how a power conditioner could make any difference in AQ. I might understand someone saying that it helped their receiver and amps make power more effieciently, but not cleaner. The caps on the output lines would have more affect on AQ than the AC line coming into the system. The torodial in the powersupply will knock out more noise than the rest of the device will see.

 

[lsiberian]

I got one the APC h15 simply because of the good price. I also "heard" that it would be good for my bulb life or my RP tv.

I suggest a UPS for a RP TV. You don't need one for your entire system just one that give you enough time to turn the tv off. So a nice computer one will work fine.

 

[nibhaz]

Why would you need to change out sure suppressors annually? Do they go bad, or wear out or something?

Simple answer is yes, mulitiple small spikes wear down the MOVs overtime.

 

[bigspur1984]

Surge suppressor or power conditioner

The only time you need a power conditioner is if you have large fluctuations in power, i.e. brown outs. Very few places, if any, have a constant 120V AC at the outlet but modern power supplies in equipment can compensate for fluctuation in input power without any loss in equipment functionality.

All you really need is a sine-wave tracking surge suppressor that meets or exceeds IEEE 587 category A & B specifications. All good suppressors will list these two things in there specifications.

Now power conditioners are usually good surge suppressors so if you can find one for around the same price as a good surge suppressors ($75.00-$100.00), then get it, otherwise they are a waste of money.

 

[lsiberian]

The only time you need a power conditioner is if you have large fluctuations in power, i.e. brown outs. Very few places, if any, have a constant 120V AC at the outlet but modern power supplies in equipment can compensate for fluctuation in input power without any loss in equipment functionality.

All you really need is a sine-wave tracking surge suppressor that meets or exceeds IEEE 587 category A & B specifications. All good suppressors will list these two things in there specifications.

Now power conditioners are usually good surge suppressors so if you can find one for around the same price as a good surge suppressors ($75.00-$100.00), then get it, otherwise they are a waste of money.

You have fancy surge suppressors. . I got my APC Silver Power Conditioner for 30 bucks from fry's

 

[bigspur1984]

You have fancy surge suppressors. . I got my APC Silver Power Conditioner for 30 bucks from fry's

I work in telecommunications and we buy a lot of Tripp-Lite and Innovative Technology surge suppressors, the IT suppressors cost a lot more , but both are very good. We will sometimes have a $50,000-$100,000 worth of equipment connected though them.

 

[niget2002]

I suggest a UPS for a RP TV. You don't need one for your entire system just one that give you enough time to turn the tv off. So a nice computer one will work fine.

That's the next purchase