It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:44 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Fender Mustang IV
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 12:15 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:44 am
Posts: 2
Hi,

I am in UK and i own a Fender Mustang IV guitar amplifier and its a great bit of kit.

A friend who also owns one says that Fender Mustang IV has no power factor corrector in it and is therefore illegal......but i have told him that Power Factor Correction is not necessary in guitar amplifiers because the overall average power is less than 75W.

....Also, because music is pulsating, power factor will be poor even of an active power factor corrector is used.

Also, there are relatively few guitar amplifiers in the world compared to televisions and PC's so PFC is just going to be a waste of time for the Fender Mustang IV...am i right?


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Fender Mustang IV
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:59 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:37 am
Posts: 1315
Location: England
I guess you're referring to EU standard EN61000-3-2?

All electrical equipment has to be certified against all relevant legislation before it can be offered for sale in EU countries, and carry a record of that certification on the product or in the documentation. One assumes that Fender has obtained the necessary certifications, otherwise the authorities would jump on them pretty quickly. (I have neither the amp nor manual in front of me to check for the "CE" certification mark, but I'm reasonably certain it's there).

If your friend has a real concern that Fender has not obtained the necessary certification and is selling the Mustang illegally, then he should report it to the relevant authorities. I doubt very much that that is the case though. Plus of course, equipment that was certified prior to legislation taking effect can continue to be used thereafter perfectly legally - the legislation isn't retrospective (and the item can probably still be manufactured/sold, as long as no changes are made that would need re-certification).

I'm sure PFCs are beneficial in any electrical equipment (in terms of reducing unnecessary power usage and thus saving the planet, etc). However that benefit may be so tiny for some equipment that it's not worth doing.

There's a lot of hype about the inefficiencies of switched-mode power supplies in all sorts of domestic electronic equipment (not just guitar amps!) as we all have more and more computers, etc, in our homes, and thus the need for PFCs to reduce their power wastage.

It's easy for that hype to lead someone into believing that anything without a PFC is bad. The facts are more subtle. I think one has to trust the authorities and manufacturers that they are doing the right things in this area. Stuff that needs a PFC has one, stuff that doesn't need it, doesn't have one. As time passes, the boundary of what does and doesn't need one will doubtless change.

Out of curiosity, how does your friend know the Mustang doesn't have a PFC? A PFC is "just" a couple of capacitors or inductors, etc - unless you take the amp apart and know what's what inside it, you aren't even going to know. And someone who does know, presumably also ought to know enough about the regulations not to need to ask the question?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Mustang IV
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:03 pm
Offline
Fender Staff
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:12 pm
Posts: 4396
Hi eem2am,

All Fender electronic products are fully tested and approved for use in the regions that they are designed for. As you are in the UK, you will, of course have needed to have purchased a UK model. If you have further questions or concerns about your amplifier or other Fender products, please do not hesitate to contact us directly, and we will be happy to assist you.

_________________
Fender Technology Support Lab
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
TSL@Fender.com
(800) 856-9801


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: