MOTM

1) NEVER EVER NEVER daisy-chain power strips that contain surge suppression. Meaning, don't do
this:

AC Outlet >>> Power Strip #1 >>> Power Strip #2

This reasons are complicated, just trust me on this one. It has to do with something called
"longitudinal balance", and the end result is that MOTM-900s plugged into Power Strip #2 will
cause hum and noise. Some other audio gear will also hum if you do this. And the surge
suppression of Power Strip #2 is negated (in fact, it can HARM stuff).

2) I have upload 3 tiny photos to www.synthtech.com/pix that are illustrating the *wrong way* and
the *correct way* to attach wires to jacks. This is NOT for coax, but for the stranded 22ga.
wires. You need to be sure you do *two* things:

a) form a 'J' hook in the wire and insert into lug hole. This is the purpose of 'chain-nose'
pliers mentioned in the tutorial. The 'chain' refers to jewelry chain.

b) be SURE you fill in the lug hole COMPLETELY with solder. This DOES NOT mean goop in on thick.
It means to apply the tip of the iron for about 1.5 seconds, and use solder until it naturally
covers the hole. It doesn't take much, and I give you plenty :)

Stay tuned for more Tech Tips.

Paul S.

Is this an inherent problem in daisy chained sure protectors, or is 
it more of a problem with daisy chained power strips?  For example, 
waay at the wall, there's a one outlet surge protector.  My surge-
protected power strip plugs into that.  Is this a problem, or is it 
having some devices that run through one surge protector and others 
running through two that causes the problem?

--- In motm@y..., "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> 1) NEVER EVER NEVER daisy-chain power strips that contain surge 
suppression. Meaning, don't do
> this:
> 
> AC Outlet >>> Power Strip #1 >>> Power Strip #2
> 
> This reasons are complicated, just trust me on this one. It has to 
do with something called
> "longitudinal balance", and the end result is that MOTM-900s 
plugged into Power Strip #2 will
> cause hum and noise. Some other audio gear will also hum if you do 
this. And the surge
> suppression of Power Strip #2 is negated (in fact, it can HARM 
stuff).
> 
> 2) I have upload 3 tiny photos to www.synthtech.com/pix that are 
illustrating the *wrong way* and
> the *correct way* to attach wires to jacks. This is NOT for coax, 
but for the stranded 22ga.
> wires. You need to be sure you do *two* things:
> 
> a) form a 'J' hook in the wire and insert into lug hole. This is 
the purpose of 'chain-nose'
> pliers mentioned in the tutorial. The 'chain' refers to jewelry 
chain.
> 
> b) be SURE you fill in the lug hole COMPLETELY with solder. This 
DOES NOT mean goop in on thick.
> It means to apply the tip of the iron for about 1.5 seconds, and 
use solder until it naturally

> covers the hole. It doesn't take much, and I give you plenty :)
> 
> Stay tuned for more Tech Tips.
> 
> Paul S.

> Is this an inherent problem in daisy chained sure protectors, or is 
> it more of a problem with daisy chained power strips?

99% of power strips bought after 1995 have some surge protection in them.

> waay at the wall, there's a one outlet surge protector.  My surge-
> protected power strip plugs into that.  Is this a problem

Yes.



> having some devices that run through one surge protector and others 
> running through two that causes the problem?

The devices plugged into the second one are at risk!!

Paul S.

Humm well this is no good, I have a surge strip then like 3 power strips
plugged into that. What would be a good solution/alternative? I think
every single outlet in the room is taken up )-:

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Schreiber [mailto:synth1@...] 
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2001 10:05 PM
To: sucrosemusic
Cc: MOTM listserv
Subject: Re: [motm] Re: Tech Tips of the Day



> Is this an inherent problem in daisy chained sure protectors, or is 
> it more of a problem with daisy chained power strips?

99% of power strips bought after 1995 have some surge protection in
them.

> waay at the wall, there's a one outlet surge protector.  My surge-
> protected power strip plugs into that.  Is this a problem

Yes.



> having some devices that run through one surge protector and others 
> running through two that causes the problem?

The devices plugged into the second one are at risk!!

Paul S.




 

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I would be interested in hearing the technical details behind the surge 
protector problem sometime.

Personally, I use a Surge-X and regular power strips (without MOV's) plugged 
into that.  But the Surge-X is a whole different beast.

Ivan

> Humm well this is no good, I have a surge strip then like 3 power strips
> plugged into that. What would be a good solution/alternative? I think
> every single outlet in the room is taken up )-:


At the wall, I buy this 6-outlet thingie that actually looks like a pyramid with the top leveled
off. You unscrew the wall plate, and this thingie plugs into the wall, and screws in where the
plate went. Every hardware store has them. Then, you can plug in say 3 or 4 (NOT 6!!!)
surge-protected outlets. Use extension cords to place outlets across room, NOT BY DAISY-CHAINING
across the room.

Paul S.

Hi Paul and list,
Would be great to have a Tips of the day section at synthtech.com website
with info for oficial mods and the kind of tips you are posting. I know
there are some mod info in other motm sites but I think synthtech.com must
be the reference site for MOTM users. Some info about oficial mods is posted
only in the list, then lost for non-list members and is a pain searching the
list for messages when you need them. Also, a patches section as the one at
Wiard web would be great.
Regards,

Josue.

>1) NEVER EVER NEVER daisy-chain power strips that contain surge
>>suppression. Meaning, don't do
>this:
>
>AC Outlet >>> Power Strip #1 >>> Power Strip #2
>
>This reasons are complicated, just trust me on this one. It has to do with
>>something called "longitudinal balance", and the end result is that
>>MOTM-900s plugged into Power Strip #2 will cause hum and noise. Some
>other >audio gear will also hum if you do this. And the surge
>suppression of Power Strip #2 is negated (in fact, it can HARM stuff).

That's a very common practice, considering that most power strips have some
sort of surge suppression.

For example, I use two separate circuits with isolated grounds ("hospital
outlets"), one is for my computer setup and DSP boxes with switching
supplies, the other is for everything else, including MOTM.  On each of
those outlets I have a Tripplite LC2400 power conditioner.  Although the
mixing board, monitor amp, and UPS are plugged directly into the LC2400's,
everything else is on Isobars plugged into the 2400's.  I have Isobars
chained in a couple of places, and a couple of inexpensive power strips to
handle wall warts.  I switch both the 2400's and the breakers off when it's
not in use.

I realize that Paul is busy working on modules, so perhaps Larry or some
other electrician could explain what "longitudinal balance" is, or at least
point me in the right direction webwise.  I don't have any hum or noise,
and my setup at home is quieter than many of commercial studios I've
worked.  However, I would like to keep my gear as safe as possible.  I
realize you aren't Jerry McGuire, but "show me the math!!"

Afaik, a "longitudinal" is a wire that returns to ground through a load at
some remote point, but that ground is not carried along with the original
cable, as in a telegraph or alarm system using single wires.  Then again, I
could be wrong.

Regardless, I'd like a technical explanation regarding power strips before
I change things in my studio or pass this advice along to other people.
Even if what Paul is saying true, I have to be able to back it up before I
can warn others.


THANX!!