Brown out

Brown out are usually during the summer when power consumtion is at it highest. Do you use a heatpump for heat or are you using your a/c this time of year or another type of pump or motor in your house could be failing. Some of these will cause what you discribe at startup.

This isn't a consistent thing... in fact it's the first time it has happened here.

I do use a pretty nice power conditioner / surge protector - a Furman elite 15i. This doesn't have any protection against a brown-out though, does it? It has an automatic voltage shut-off when the power dips below about 85v... and I don't believe that this kicked the other night when the brown-out happened. My amp did go into 'protection mode' for a second though, so maybe the undervoltage protection kicked in...

How severe and for how long does a brown-out usually need to be for any damage to occur? What actually causes the damage?

Thanks-

Djembeplay I have the same model Furman as well and your question prompted me to email Furman regarding brownout protection. I think brownouts can wreak havoc on electrical motors, but I am not so sure about audio gear.
Anyway, I will post Furman's response, once I have it.

Djembeplay, this is the response I received from Furman.

Hello,

This unit will not regulate the voltage but it will still protect from a surge.


Thank You

Rob Harris
Product Specialist
Direct: 707-766-2370
Toll Free: 800-472-5555, ext 2370
Mobile: 707-364-8962
Fax: 707-763-1310
E-Mail: [email protected]

PANAMAX / FURMAN
Power Management Solutions

Subject: Furman - Elite 15PF - i - Power Conditioner

Hi,

I own the Furman Elite 15PF and was just wondering about the effects of a brownout. Is the equipment conmnected to the Furman still protected as in a power surge?

Differant manufactures recommend differant limits but the rule of thumb is no more than 10%. I do not allow more than 5% myself.