What's wrong with this picture???

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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No wonder the systems requiring lower current reportedly suddenly sounded better. Most of the big systems recommend 20A dedicated lines for EACH monoblock. That's a serious handicap. It would make me think twice about joining a show held in a venue with such restrictions. Good call in forgoing that gadget Gary.
 

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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Manila, Philippines
If it limits current draw then I can easily imagine how they could have been limiting dynamics. I was planning on going to CES next year but if all I'll be hearing are systems with Venetian ball and chains on their ankles, forget it.
 

amirm

Banned
Apr 2, 2010
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Seattle, WA
Speedskater, the power limiting is occurring in that active blue box. So in that sense, it is a very bad thing especially when inserted in the path of the huge amps being shown in these shows.
 

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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I share your opinion Tom
 

DonH50

Member Sponsor & WBF Technical Expert
Jun 22, 2010
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Monument, CO
Exactly, the only way that the blue box limits current is by tripping it circuit breaker.

Actually, there are a number of ways it can limit current without a circuit breaker. A simple resistor is one, but if it is active as stated, I would imagine it's a simple current-limiting pass circuit with a feedback loop. The net effect would be to reduce the current, and the almost certainly the voltage, on current peaks past its trip point. Sort of like a "soft-start" circuit.

Chances are the major problem is in-rush current at turn-on, and thus after everything's powered on it is unlikely you'd see breakers tripping unless somebody got unlucky in the timing of peaks with their neighbors. Not sure why someplace would host an audio show with adequate power capacity. Faced with something like that at a show, I'd probably get a bank of UPS units and conditioner after them.
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
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Portugal
The best type of anti-surge circuit consists of a series power resistor in parallel with the contacts of a good quality relay. The resistors limits the current at start-up and after a short time the relay shorts the resistors.

All other types - mostly using temperature or current dependent resistors or power semiconductors - may affect the performance of the system, as they act as a series variable element, sometimes generating mains noise or distortion!
 

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