Well, the best way is to pay a pro to measure the quality of the incoming power, then calculate the power factor correction system required. Don't have a clue what the cost would be, but I imagine it would take many years of reduced power consumption savings to amortize it, so most folks just buy as many of these types of line conditioners as it takes to cover all the desired loads: Walmart.com: Corsair CMPSU-650HX 650w HX Series 80 Plus Bronze Certified Power Supply: Computers
GM
Loud is Beautiful if it's Clean! As always though, the usual disclaimers apply to this post's contents.
I understand you can request the power company to install a meter to determine if you are getting power surges. This can at least verify the power coming into the house. This lets the power company off the hook if there is a problem thought to be from the power company. If there are surges coming from their end, they are liable. I understand they will do the testing for free. Maybe worth a phone call.
That's an internal power supply for a computer, GM. Were you thinking of a UPS type box? If so, I don't think they necessarily produce a sine wave..... in fact I saw one the other day that specifically said it didn't.Originally Posted by GM
Could you explain a bit more about the power correction? I've actually calculated power correction, in the past, for simple circuits for academics. The goal was to compensate for a inductive load where a capacitive ( I think) load was planned for. It's my understanding that normal home service from the power company are not designed for large inductive loads. Would a stereo/HiFi really be all that highly inductive? I wouldn't think it would be anywhere near the load a good size motor would be.
Audio_by_Goodwill
Michigan, USA
We use capacitor banks for PF correction where needed for induction motors and such.
Clean, phase correct AC's a worthy goal for some things (AC motors in turntables, tape and disc drives, etc), but it's less a problem for amps and audio circuits, because as soon as it passes the power switch, it's converted to DC in the device' power supply. I'm not aware of any audio circuit that uses 60Hz line AC for anything. The quality of the power supply determines the quality of the DC, and dollars spent there will see a better return than most "fixes" for the AC line. Decent surge protectors can be had cheap to filter spikes, and your quality gear should handle it from there.
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Hmm, I didn't read its description, just did a search for filtered power supplies and picked the first one listed, but no, I wasn't thinking of a UPS, though there are some that will get the job done, i.e. swing the phase rotation back to unity and filter out any harmonics. Anyway, the units I remember were like that computer power supply except with 120 V/60 Hz receptacles, but now can't find any in a quick search.
What I did find though is that since 2001, manufacturers have been increasingly filtering their product's power supplies as their products becomes more computer like in design, so I guess this is why I could only find units for larger motorized appliances. One article even stated that entertainment electronics needed no extra protection beyond extreme surges.
I guess for older gear we're on our own to DIY as required.
GM
Loud is Beautiful if it's Clean! As always though, the usual disclaimers apply to this post's contents.
OK, my power supply design knowledge is mostly limited to knowing that I've seen transformers between the AC cord and rectifier, so we have a coil affecting the PF that in theory needs some correcting and since rectifiers are non-linear, isn't it affecting it also? Or does the transformer sufficiently isolate it?
GM
Loud is Beautiful if it's Clean! As always though, the usual disclaimers apply to this post's contents.
Well maybe not at line voltage. But stepped down it runs filaments in plenty of tube amps.
That's important.
As far as electricians go in checking a circuit for correct phase I use this you just plug it into a receptacle but if it is clean that is another story.I don't know ???
Sperry Instruments
120V (110-125V) Line Conditioners
My first experience with Tripp Lite was back in the late 70's, i share OG's sentiments where they are concerned, "good stuff".
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