power conditioners

[WillthaThrill]

do I need to spend $500 on a power conditioner? what are the best products for the money?

 

[j_garcia]

Do you have a power problem? If not, then no you don't.

 

[Speedskater]

Remember that 'power conditioner' is an undefined term. It could mean almost any combination of the following.

a] Noise filter - a low-pass EMI/RFI filter.
b] Surge protector - although it's better to have surge protection at the home's service entrance.
c] UPS - note that many UPS's are not really UPS's!
d] Line voltage adjuster.
e] Balanced power transformer.
f] Isolated power transformer.
g] DC blockers.
h] Regenerators (PSAudio)
i] Power Factor Correction
j] I forget? But I think that there are more.

But most people don't need one.

 

[TLS Guy]

do I need to spend $500 on a power conditioner? what are the best products for the money?

The real question is where do you live? Metro or rural? What is you climate? Are there a lot of severe thunderstorms in your area?

I live on a lake in a forest, with hundreds of miles between here and the power plants, and we have a lot of severe weather, winter and summer. So I need maximum protection.

 

[lsiberian]

You don't need anything more than a power strip, but it's not a bad idea to get a higher quality one from a reputable brand like APC. Of course in my lightining strike the power strip didn't even matter.

Now if you have a projector, game or a DVR that records. I suggest getting a UPS to keep them on during power flips and the like. If you have electrical issues definitely look into a power conditioner as well.

 

[panteragstk]

You don't need anything more than a power strip, but it's not a bad idea to get a higher quality one from a reputable brand like APC. Of course in my lightining strike the power strip didn't even matter.

Now if you have a projector, game or a DVR that records. I suggest getting a UPS to keep them on during power flips and the like. If you have electrical issues definitely look into a power conditioner as well.

I tend to agree, but if you are in a location (like I am) that has random blackouts for a few seconds then a UPS may be a good idea.

 

[lsiberian]

I tend to agree, but if you are in a location (like I am) that has random blackouts for a few seconds then a UPS may be a good idea.

My UPS has been a life saver for games, DVRing and the projector. I think that would be a better investment than a PC.

 

[MR.MAGOO]

If one has an expensive, high-end, super-colossal system, yes you probably need to protect it with something more than those power strips found in the grocery store.

 

[lovinthehd]

If one has an expensive, high-end, super-colossal system, yes you probably need to protect it with something more than those power strips found in the grocery store.

They are as effective as many power conditioners from what I can tell....best is the whole-home surge protection type.

 

[panteragstk]

If one has an expensive, high-end, super-colossal system, yes you probably need to protect it with something more than those power strips found in the grocery store.

It's not really that, but about how good/bad your power is. If you have good power that never cuts off ever then a simple surge protector is all you need.

If your voltage goes out of whack then you may need a regulator or UPS with a built in regulator. A good UPS will take your system off grid power until the voltage quits spiking or dipping.

Panamax and Furman make a balanced power solution that is pretty impressive, but at the cost it is about as close as you can get to "perfect power". I think recording studios are the primary customer for stuff like that.

 

[WillthaThrill]

thanks to all. I live in the sunshine state and the weather here is crazy. power in my home is good. I think I can get a decent small Furman or Panamax and be protected. im still building a small home theater setup but I do want to protect it from lightning. looking at a furman M 8Dx.

 

[lovinthehd]

thanks to all. I live in the sunshine state and the weather here is crazy. power in my home is good. I think I can get a decent small Furman or Panamax and be protected. im still building a small home theater setup but I do want to protect it from lightning. looking at a furman M 8Dx.

I wouldn't consider a conditioner protection from lightning....the whole home surge protection is the best you can do and even that can't stop a close hit from doing damage.

 

[j_garcia]

I've owned a few Panamax units. 2 without issue and one that failed. I switched to APC after that and it is still in my system currently.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I wouldn't consider a conditioner protection from lightning....the whole home surge protection is the best you can do and even that can't stop a close hit from doing damage.

Actually, whole home protection has clamp-down speeds that are usually only fast enough to protect electric motors and other high-current devices. For electronics you need something that reacts much faster. Not that I'm at all recommending against whole-home protection - appliances and HVAC systems are expensive to replace or repair. It is difficult to determine the response time spec you really need for electronics, because the surge protection industry has as much marketing BS in it (IMO) as the audio cable industry. I just go with big name brands (like Belden) and hope for the best, living as I do in an area with a lot of lightning storms.

 

[lovinthehd]

Actually, whole home protection has clamp-down speeds that are usually only fast enough to protect electric motors and other high-current devices. For electronics you need something that reacts much faster. Not that I'm at all recommending against whole-home protection - appliances and HVAC systems are expensive to replace or repair. It is difficult to determine the response time spec you really need for electronics, because the surge protection industry has as much marketing BS in it (IMO) as the audio cable industry. I just go with big name brands (like Belden) and hope for the best, living as I do in an area with a lot of lightning storms.

What is the comparison of "clamp-down" speed between a power conditioner and a good surge protector power strip?

 

[panteragstk]

This article states pretty much what I've always been told. Unplug anything you think may get fried.

Good grounding is a good way to protect against lightning. That or a literal lightning rod. Even then they say that isn't 100% protection.

 

[lovinthehd]

This article states pretty much what I've always been told. Unplug anything you think may get fried.

Good grounding is a good way to protect against lightning. That or a literal lightning rod. Even then they say that isn't 100% protection.

I remember as a kid during storms my grandfather, an electrical engineer, would simply unplug stuff not needed, especially if we were leaving the house. Thought it strange at the time....

 

[Irvrobinson]

What is the comparison of "clamp-down" speed between a power conditioner and a good surge protector power strip?

Due to the 10x+ current capacity differences the response times of the whole house suppressors are longer. For electronics shorter response times are always better. Electric motors use heavier wiring and higher current components that are more surge resistant than stuff like prepress.

Edit - I probably should mention that my worst worry is our 70" LCD monitor. I have it on a surge suppressor and we have a whole house suppressor and I still worry about the monitor becoming a 70" piece of toast.

 

[lsiberian]

This article states pretty much what I've always been told. Unplug anything you think may get fried.

Good grounding is a good way to protect against lightning. That or a literal lightning rod. Even then they say that isn't 100% protection.

I do the same, but even unplugging won't stop induction damage.

Nothing is quite like hearing the thunder and seeing the light flash at the same perceived time and then smelling burning electrical components.

 

[panteragstk]

I do the same, but even unplugging won't stop induction damage.

Nothing is quite like hearing the thunder and seeing the light flash at the same perceived time and then smelling burning electrical components.

Shouldn't the UPS or surge protector help with induction damage?