Do I need a Power Conditioner?

fingerz · 22nd August 2007, 02:04 AM

I moved into a new house back in Nov.
My studio is in my home.

Since then, I've had two flat panel monitors go out on me, and have blown two speakers in two different types of audio monitors this week! - all while monitoring at VERY low levels. As a side note, my wife told me tonight that two of her hair dryers have died since we moved here.

I have everything on surge protectors so I thought I'd be covered - in terms of not blowing up equipment - but I'm trying to get some eductaed opinions on if I need a power conditioners. Looking around the net, there seems to be more than a few disagreements on the matter.

Anyone have any suggestions?
I'll be calling an electrician too of course, but need something immediately just in case.

hangman · 22nd August 2007, 02:31 AM

I would call the electrician. Power conditioners are mostly a sham in my opinion. glorified powerstrips.

they would not help the low voltage levels either. for that you would need a voltage regulator.

my advice is to have an electrician check the wiring in your home. if the voltage is Consistantly low, you should also call your utilities company.

shanabit · 22nd August 2007, 03:07 AM

Power conditioners are cool for getting the noise out of the electric but it sounds like you really need a voltage regulator as was mentioned.
If your wifes hair dryers are dying, theres a good chance your having some major fluctuations in the AC.

idylldon · 22nd August 2007, 04:27 AM

What's the voltage coming out of your wall plugs? My guess is that it's going to be on the high side rather than the low. If it's over what your power company claims to supply, then call them as there might be a problem with the pole pig (transformer) that feeds your house.

Cheers,
--
Don

Jay Kahrs · 22nd August 2007, 04:29 AM

Yes.

Call an electrician first thing tomorrow.

Something is probably VERY far from kosher.

Power conditioners might solve a couple of 'small' problems but if hair dryers & DVD players are blowing up too...

My guess is some sort of DC on the lines.

RichS · 22nd August 2007, 05:53 AM

Once had that kind of problem with my electric supply. Turned out to be a bad neutral connection. Would cause intermittent spikes (up to 230v) at the wall plugs. Blew out a laserwriter motherboard and a TV power supply. Get it checked quickly!

fingerz · 22nd August 2007, 02:43 PM

Thanks for the input!

I'll definitely call an electrician.
Voltage regulators are expensive!

fingerz · 22nd August 2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

What's the voltage coming out of your wall plugs? My guess is that it's going to be on the high side rather than the low. If it's over what your power company claims to supply, then call them as there might be a problem with the pole pig (transformer) that feeds your house.

What kind of meter can read this? Some type of voltmeter?
Any suggestions on where to get one? Home Depot or something?

I'd hate to spend $100 for an electrician to come out here, plug a doo-hickey into the outlet and then tell me it's the power company's problem to solve.

Thanks again!

fingerz · 22nd August 2007, 02:56 PM

found one! :
"wiggy solenoid voltmeter"
I guess I'll start there.

Thanks!

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22nd August 2007, 02:04 AM	#1
fingerz Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 10	Do I need a Power Conditioner? I moved into a new house back in Nov. My studio is in my home. Since then, I've had two flat panel monitors go out on me, and have blown two speakers in two different types of audio monitors this week! - all while monitoring at VERY low levels. As a side note, my wife told me tonight that two of her hair dryers have died since we moved here. I have everything on surge protectors so I thought I'd be covered - in terms of not blowing up equipment - but I'm trying to get some eductaed opinions on if I need a power conditioners. Looking around the net, there seems to be more than a few disagreements on the matter. Anyone have any suggestions? I'll be calling an electrician too of course, but need something immediately just in case.

22nd August 2007, 05:53 AM	#6
RichS Gear maniac Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 183	Once had that kind of problem with my electric supply. Turned out to be a bad neutral connection. Would cause intermittent spikes (up to 230v) at the wall plugs. Blew out a laserwriter motherboard and a TV power supply. Get it checked quickly! __________________ - After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true. -- Spock

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22nd August 2007, 02:31 AM	#2
hangman Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 585	I would call the electrician. Power conditioners are mostly a sham in my opinion. glorified powerstrips. they would not help the low voltage levels either. for that you would need a voltage regulator. my advice is to have an electrician check the wiring in your home. if the voltage is Consistantly low, you should also call your utilities company.

22nd August 2007, 03:07 AM	#3
shanabit Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,013	Power conditioners are cool for getting the noise out of the electric but it sounds like you really need a voltage regulator as was mentioned. If your wifes hair dryers are dying, theres a good chance your having some major fluctuations in the AC.

22nd August 2007, 04:27 AM	#4
idylldon Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Idyllwild, CA Posts: 1,451	What's the voltage coming out of your wall plugs? My guess is that it's going to be on the high side rather than the low. If it's over what your power company claims to supply, then call them as there might be a problem with the pole pig (transformer) that feeds your house. Cheers, -- Don

22nd August 2007, 02:43 PM	#7
fingerz Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 10	Thanks for the input! I'll definitely call an electrician. Voltage regulators are expensive!

22nd August 2007, 02:56 PM	#9
fingerz Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 10	found one! : "wiggy solenoid voltmeter" I guess I'll start there. Thanks!