Are Power Conditioners *really* necessary?

iggypop

iggypop

Experienced
Would like to hear from some of the engineers here, should I really use one? Seems like the usual conditioners (cheapo) won't protect our equipment from lightning storms and such, but just from innocent spikes? And considering that most places where I'll gig won't have proper grounding...
 
I have sold PC Point of Sale systems to Restaurants and Bars for 11 years and I see big difference in long term servicability with power conditioner and with out. Axe Fx might not be as picky its power supply may have better filtering than a PC. But for me I woudnt error on being cheap. I surely wouldnt plug into an ungrounded outlet or miswired. Testers are only 3 bucks or so to be safe.
 
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Define "won't have proper grounding". The kind that causes hum or the kind that gets you electrocuted?

As for power conditioning, Cliff has stated that the power supply is pretty robust. That said, I'd give it at least as much electrical protection as I'd give a big screen TV in that price range. Probably more if I'm using it to generate income.
 
claudel said:
Probably not, but I'm gonna be using protection for the II when it happens...

I'm considering this one

SMART500RT1U - SmartPro .5kVA Line Interactive UPS, SNMPWEBCARD option, 1U Rack/Tower, USB, Serial, EPO, 120V

although it's a bit heavy @17 lbs I'm probably going to give it a go...

I especially like the included $250K "connected equipment" insurance policy.

It's reasonably inexpensive and I've had good luck with TrippLite gear over the years.
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What's this all about?? "Simultaneous communications via SNMPWEBCARD slot, USB and DB9 serial ports"
Would I as an Axe-Fx user need this?
 
Grounding and surge protection is a small price to pay when both your ANALOG Devices TigerSHARCs get fried because of a momentary power surge. The Axe FX II is a computer and those CPUs are expensive, indeed a large component of the cost of the unit.
 
s0c9 said:
One should always use protection... when it happens ! :)
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I'd hate for my shiny new Axe II (whenever...) to catch lightning bolt disease.

It's endemic to the area... ;)

phillyred79 said:
What's this all about?? "Simultaneous communications via SNMPWEBCARD slot, USB and DB9 serial ports"
Would I as an Axe-Fx user need this?
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Nope.

That's a bunch of extra stuff for use in a computer room for if it would need to be monitored or remotely controlled.

Just ignore that part. :ugeek

It's an actual UPS with a battery...

I'm guessing maybe 20 minutes runtime with a Fractal.

I sorta need that where I live. I have a UPS for the computer and one for the home theater stuff.

I've been listening to the music of the UPS alarms all morning, including as I type this...
 
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I plug my Ultra into a Furman. I've had the Furman shut everything down more than once when commercial power went too high.

It's a risk management tool, and with my AxeFX I'm risk averse. It's also convenient to have a power bar in my rack and lights available on the front and back.

Terry.
 
I already have a Furman ML8 or something like that, the one with lights :p
The improper grounding is "the one that gets you electrocuted"- i.e., complete absence of grounding.
The idea would be to reduce my rig weight and size - I have a Gator 4U and a Gator 6U, the rolling one.
The Axe, 2U, VHT, 2U. Lighter with the Gator 4U, and heavier BUT with rollers, if I use the 6U.
So if the conditioner is not really necessary, I'd better stick with the 4U, you know?
 
cinealta said:
Grounding and surge protection is a small price to pay when both your ANALOG Devices TigerSHARCs get fried because of a momentary power surge. The Axe FX II is a computer and those CPUs are expensive, indeed a large component of the cost of the unit.
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I agree, but the point is most places will not have any grounding/improper grounding. I suppose that defeats the use of power conditioners, since there's no path for those electrons to flow, in the event of a surge/lightning. And I believe none of these power conditioners could take a lightning without frying or melting?? What do you think?
 
iggypop said:
I agree, but the point is most places will not have any grounding/improper grounding. I suppose that defeats the use of power conditioners, since there's no path for those electrons to flow, in the event of a surge/lightning. And I believe none of these power conditioners could take a lightning without frying or melting?? What do you think?
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Well, I would think most clubs (and other venues) should have proper grounding (at least 3-prong) to prevent shock (if not for ground loops). Commercial venues must be governed by some sort of building codes requiring this?

For power surges through the grid, the surge protectors fuse *should* blow first, not allowing the current to reach the downstream devices.

I agree it would be hard to dissipate lightning but even that can be done.
 
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