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Post subject: Re: transformer, surge protector or power strip?
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:17 pm
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BMW2002Ti,

Keep in mind "ELI the ICE man". Reluctance has to do with the resistance to change in current, and since the voltage leads the current in a transformer, there really is no protection from voltage surges, and I'm not sure what the Indians are claiming about their "ultra isolation transformers", but a transformer can not do much for a voltage surge. Transients, spikes and noise aren't the same as a voltage surge. Likely that the noise, or transients on the line would be far more common than a voltage surge at your house. If it were voltage surges destroying your computers, you would also be blowing light bulbs and TVs and anything else electrical in your house. The old "buck-boost" transformers offer more protection from surges than any isolation transformer can. An isolation transformer merely isolates the neutral from ground, nothing more. Any shielding will help with noise and transients, but can not stop a voltage surge. And since you still have a grounding conductor on an isolation transformer (the ground wire), lightning can still get through also, so not much protection there either.

Think of an OT in a tube amp used without a speaker load. It's the huge build-up of voltage that will destroy the OT, not the current, as the current would be limited by the transformer properties. This is the same reason that an OT can easily handle very low impedance loads, it is the very nature of a transformer that limits current. Remove the load from the OT and you have no counter EMF so the voltage builds to the point of "punching through" the insulation. The counter EMF of an energized winding, with a load attached, will limit current. You are correct about the transformer helping with transients, spikes and noise, similarly to a simple choke. But put a higher voltage on the primary of a transformer, and I guarantee that you will get a higher voltage from the secondary, that is what a transformer does. I also agree with you about the power section in an amp, transformer and capacitors work well together in combating voltage transients and noise, but a high enough voltage surge will destroy both.

I still stand by my statement that an isolation transformer offers ZERO protection from power surges. In fact, a power surge on a transformer gives you a double whammy in that the higher voltage from a surge also collapses after the surge, and can be an even higher voltage than the surge itself. And use a large enough transformer in front of your equipment can actually cause more harm than good.

Fascinating discussion, none-the-less. :)

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Post subject: Re: transformer, surge protector or power strip?
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 7:33 pm
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Furman PL-8 Power Conditioner and Light Module. What do you think about this one? if I buy one, I'll need to buy something else? i saw in you tube many players using it, including Buddy Guy. I'm new on Tube amps...so i'll need some help to buy the correct stuff that will protect my amp. Thank you guys!!!


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Post subject: Re: transformer, surge protector or power strip?
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:41 pm
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Yes, and Buddy Guy also endorsed the Cyber series over his vintage fender amps... endorsements shouldn't sway you. The PL-8 is a fancy power strip with rack rails and a bigger power button. Same MOV technology as a $10 powerstrip from Home Depot.

Look at Surge X if you really need to protect your gear from power surges. It's really the only one.

Furman does make good gear like the AR1215 that can prevent voltage drops-- that's much more important especially if you play in sketchy bars with the ice machine, blenders, etc. on the same circuit as the band.

Ebtech has the Hum-X isolation transformer to get rid of noise with dirty power, floating grounds, etc.

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Post subject: Re: transformer, surge protector or power strip?
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:29 am
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nedorama wrote:
Furman does make good gear like the AR1215 that can prevent voltage drops-- that's much more important especially if you play in sketchy bars with the ice machine, blenders, etc. on the same circuit as the band.


+1

That sounds like Big Nose Kate's over in Tombstone!

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: transformer, surge protector or power strip?
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 3:39 pm
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Nedorama, if i buy one i won't need the other. right? or do i need both working together? many thanks for your attention.


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Post subject: Re: transformer, surge protector or power strip?
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 8:54 pm
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Arjay - it would also be the Stick & Stein and Standard station bars in El Segundo, CA, as well as the Automotive Driving Museum. Glad I bought a $5 Home Depot circuit checker -- I always plug that in first to ensure that the outlet is at least wired correctly; if the outlet is on the same circuit as the ice machine, neon signs, not much can be done, although the Hum-X has helped on this on more than one occasion.

Souza - happy to help. The gear I mentioned all do different things. Surge protection, voltage regulation, and noise suppression through an isolation transformer. Depending on your needs, one purchase may be fine, or you may have issues that require multiple purchases.

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