Surge Protector or Power Conditioner?

[Slpbass81]

Which do you use and why? If you have a make/model of one you like include that as well.

I have read old posts on this topic but I want to get an updated response.

 

[MrMerrey]

Power conditioners are better. They ensure a consistent output to your gear and are longer lasting, but obviously more money.

Surge protectors are fine, but can wear out if they have to stop a lot of power surges so you will need to replace them more regularly (though still only every few years unless you are unlucky).

Both are viable options. If this is for use at 1 location then a surge protector should be fine, but if you want to travel around and wire things up semi permanently get a conditioner.

 

[s0c9]

Which do you use and why? If you have a make/model of one you like include that as well.
.

What's the intended purpose? Studio/recording/home use, or live/stage?

 

[Slpbass81]

What's the intended purpose? Studio/recording/home use, or live/stage?

Live/stage

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

If you have not read this I would highly recommend reading it before making any purchases.

Link Removed

 

[walterw]

Surge Protector or Power Conditioner?

If you have not read this I would highly recommend reading it before making any purchases.

Link Removed

there you go, not much "or" involved; a typical power conditioner is a surge protector (power strip) in a fancy rack enclosure with lights and stuff.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

The power strip in my rig has basic surge protection. I've never bothered to use a power "conditioner."

 

[Tunaman]

Our power conditioner keeps tripping GFI outlets so we have a rush to bypass them.

 

[megafiddle]

Our power conditioner keeps tripping GFI outlets so we have a rush to bypass them.

The transient absorbers in protectors shunt voltage spike currents in the line and neutral to ground. If they leak enough current, it will register as a fault in the GFI.

Is this a new development on existing units, or does it it occur with new units also?

If it's something that's developed, the transient absorbers are probably headed towards failure.

-

 

[Tunaman]

The transient absorbers in protectors shunt voltage spike currents in the line and neutral to ground. If they leak enough current, it will register as a fault in the GFI.

Is this a new development on existing units, or does it it occur with new units also?

If it's something that's developed, the transient absorbers are probably headed towards failure.

-

Its an older power conditioner so maybe its on the way out. Works fine on regular outlets for inside gigs.

 

[tshapiro]

Our rule of thumb is to run our digital and signal processing gear thru conditioners. Power amps go directly to the wall. No point running all those amps through the conditioner.

 

[KeithAlanK]

Rack mounted power conditioners are convenient as heck, but after three decades running sound I've decided that they aren't worth MY money.
If someone else is paying to build the PA, I'll let them buy Furman, TrippLite, or whatever...but my own rigs are power strip only.

It's not the 1970-80s anymore.
Despite the prevalence of crystal meth abuse among carpenters and electricians these days, most stages are meeting standards and codes.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Our rule of thumb is to run our digital and signal processing gear thru conditioners. Power amps go directly to the wall. No point running all those amps through the conditioner.

You should define what sort of "conditioning" you need.

 

[Slpbass81]

I already bought a surge protector as the power conditioner was not necessary.