Surge protector for amp?

Joe · 05-08-2003, 09:04 PM

I need a surge protector that will allow 10 amps to flow through unrestricted. I don't know much about this area but appearently providing unrestricted high current can be an issue.

Can you explain and/or recommend anything?

Cliff Olson · 05-08-2003, 11:24 PM

I was running my power amp, and everything else for that matter, through my surge protecter. Everything seemed fine, but I decided to buy one of those aftermarket power cords for my power amp. I exchanged the stock one with this new garden hose sized one. It sounded a *little* better. Then I read that you're supposed to plug the cord DIRECTLY into the wall, and bypass any/all protection! Once I did that ~~ WOW! It made a HUGE difference on the sound (IMO). Not only cleaner sound, but I could tell a lot more current was flowing freely to my amp (I have to keep the volume lower than I used to). Even my wife noticed a difference, and that tells you something.

Moral of the story; I will take the risk and leave my higher powered electronics unprotected in trade for much better sound

I'm not suggesting that you don't check into a surge protecter, but in my case, it sounds much better without it.

Chu Gai · 05-09-2003, 08:06 AM

Do you own your own home Joe?

Joe · 05-09-2003, 08:23 AM

"Do you own your own home Joe? " Yes. I actually ran a 20amp circuit for my HT as well.

Chu Gai · 05-09-2003, 08:57 AM

Then strongly consider adding a whole house surge protetion device to your home. They're installed either at the meter or at the breaker. If you're in a non-lighting prone area, likely a 1000 joule unit will do fine. More problematical area such as Florida, certain parts of the midwest, tx, etc. a 2000 joule unit is adequate. These units protect EVERYTHING in your home from surges. The type of unit you're looking for would act as the interface for any incoming wires...AC, cable, satellite, phone...whatever it is that you've got. Your local HD or decently equipped electrical supply store can provide reasonable units. Cost intalled will of course vary but can be under a couple of hundred. Figure an electrician is going to soak you for 1 hour minimum.
If you're not going to protect your amp, why bother protecting anything else. After all, a surge could come in via your amp and then choose multiple ways to ground itself...maybe your microwave, garage door opener, your TV, you get the picture.
Then you can always provide redundant protection for the other components focussing more on units that deal with glitches, noise, etc.

**HTF Ads**

Dennis LM · 05-09-2003, 10:37 AM

Wouldn't "whole house" protection only protect you from what's coming in from the street/pole? What about power surges caused by devices within your home (e.g., microwaves, TVs, dryers, water pumps, unidentified faulty devices, etc.)?

Chu Gai · 05-09-2003, 11:18 AM

Dennis, those by definition aren't surges. Call them glitches, little spikes, perturbations, whatever, but surges they're not and they most certain wouldn't damage your equipment any more than they'd damage your phones, X10 boxes, home alarm system, clocks, etc. However, a separate line, possibly off a separate breaker box mitigates against that. Besides, after you've guarded against the outside, you can choose point of use units based on something like Silicon Avalanche Diode technology, hybrid units, units that work on the basis of sinewave tracking to clamp down tightly against the glitches.

Frances_H · 05-09-2003, 12:05 PM

Cliff,
what kind of surge protector are you using? I use Panamax 5500 ACRegenerator, and all gears are routed through it, including my power amp (B&K 125.7), and use the after market power cord to Panamax. I have dedicated 20 amp outlets for my system, one for the sub, and one for the gears. Receptacle by PS Audio. I haven't try to connect the amp directly to the wall, simply because I want to have a complete protection. The Max has 2 dedicated high-current outlet that is only limited by a 15 A breaker. Supposedly, no current limiting circuitry for these outlet. But, would be open to recommendation that plugging it directly to the wall outlet will produce *improvement*
Anybody else has thoughts and datapoints on Panamax 5500?

james e m · 05-10-2003, 12:11 PM

I too am going to be looking for surge protection. Right now I have a Brickwall 2R15 which I love but, I am building my own house and was thinking about whole house surge protection. Is there anything I should look for, or ask my builder about?

If I do get whole house surge protection, does that mean I should just hook my new amp directly to the wall without an additional surge protector?

I was thinking giving one outlet just for my amps and another outlet for everything else (pre/pro, tv, subs, cd player etc.). Does this sound like a good plan?

Would two outlets be sufficient to power my whole home theater?

If it matters I have a 150 amp in our house. I know nothing about power. :b
Thanks,
James

Chu Gai · 05-10-2003, 04:14 PM

Quote:

If I do get whole house surge protection, does that mean I should just hook my new amp directly to the wall without an additional surge protector?

you got it, although you may want to still pick up a point of use device that does a better job of dealing with glitches seeing as how the 'whole house' unit has taken over the hard work.

Quote:

I was thinking giving one outlet just for my amps and another outlet for everything else (pre/pro, tv, subs, cd player etc.). Does this sound like a good plan?

sounds reasonable and you may want to add additional ones around the room to allow for possible moving of things around. consider making the outlets industrial or hospital grade to better identify them for the future. Also, since your sub may well be located in another part of the room, have an outlet there.

No reason you still can't use the Brickwall for the amp and some nice Silicon Avalanche Diodes for everything else. Buy your builder some donuts, maybe he'll toss in an extra outlet on the house.

Cliff Olson · 05-11-2003, 01:19 PM

I have a Monster HTS2000, Frances. I haven't gone as far as you, I've only added the conditioner to the existing "stock" wall outlet. I would recommend at least trying to plug the amp directly into the wall to see if it makes a difference. If it does sound better without using the surge protecter, try what Chu is recommending to cover the whole house from incoming surges. I think it's at least worth a shot

BrendanG · 05-11-2003, 04:52 PM

Does anyone know if having one of these whole house surge protectors limit the flow of electricity throughout the house? or is it unrestricted?