[sdiy] A bit OT: mains conditioning.

[Harry Bissell Jr]

--- Julian <julian at 22host24.com> wrote:
> Ive done a bit of reading, and have got together
> three options, all with
> pros and cons...
> 
> #Surge protected 4 gang socket (with or withough rfi
> filter)
> cheap.  will surges just cause it to turn off, or do
> they throttle the
> voltage to a level?

They stop killer surges, once.  Think of them like a
fuse, when they work, they need to be replaced. This
won't help you much.

> 
> #Computer style ups.
> resonable spike, brownout protection, but poor
> attempt at a sine wavefom
> from most units it seems.

Not a bad choice... how good the sine wave has to be
depends on your load...

> 
> #Constant voltage transformer.
> harder for me to obtain.  looks like a good
> solution, but noisey?

Ferroresonant transformer (Sola)... fairly goos sine
wave, runs hot, makes a loud audible hum (locate in
another room).  Will filter almost any spike, but can
only help on a voltage sag (low) for maybe 1/2 cycle.
Does NOT behave well if over or underloaded - you have
to get the correct size for your application.

Option 4:  Power line conditioner - autotransformer
that
changes the output voltage to regulate against voltage
sag and surge.  Will NOT help if the power drops out.
More efficient than a Sola transformer, quieter.  I
had one on my computer for 20 years... now died of
electrolytic failure (so sad...)

H^) harry

doubt this is off topic, mightly important stuff this
mains voltage is. Try doing DIY without it :^P