Surge Protectors & Power Conditioners

I forgot to mention in my long post above. Most of the high voltages transients events in our homes are caused by equipment and appliances found in our homes. Hopefully a correctly installed Type 2 SPD diverts, clamps, them to the service entrance neutral conductor at the main electrical service equipment, panel. Therein, not allowing the high voltage transients to go out the branch circuit wiring wiring feeding the audio equipment... And that’s where a good point of use Type 3 come in. It hopefully protects the audio equipment from any high voltage transients that may get by the Type 2 SPD at the electrical panel.

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NEMA Surge protection Institute

Note:

Type 3– Point of utilization SPDs, installed at a minimum conductor length of 10 meters (30 feet) from the electrical service panel to the point of utilization, for example cord connected, direct plug-in, receptacle type SPDs installed at the utilization equipment being protected. The distance (10 meters) is exclusive of the conductors provided with or used to attach SPDs.

 Type 3 SPD is Not effective if the length of the branch circuit wiring is less than 30ft in length from the main electrical service panel.

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Eaton video on surge protection

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I live in Kansas city and we have lots of electrical action with our thunderstorms. I run a surge protector on my main panel, two Shunyata Typhon 2s on my amps, and a Everest X for the other components. If you read the fine print on the audiophile power conditioners I have looked into, they don't state that they protect the system as a surge protector for large spikes. Yes, they have surge circuit breakers, but that's not their primary function. I have never seen a surge damage insurance guarantee from an audiophile power conditioner. My Leviton surge protector on my main panel has one, but I don't see Leviton paying for one of our systems.

Worried about lightning I had my electrician add a subpanel for my three dedicated circuits. Power flows from my main panel through a 60 amp breaker with the largest copper wire that would fit into a 100% copper knife switch that completely isolates my system. I am told even protection from a direct lightning hit on my house. When the knife switch is turned on the big copper cable flows out of the switch box to a subpanel with 6 breaker slots. Three 30 amp breakers are mounted in the subpanel on the same power leg (every other breaker slot). Added to the sub panel is an Environmental Potentials surge protector and ground filters for each circuit (3). The EP surge protector converts the surge to heat rather than dumping it to the ground or neutral cables. The sound IMPROVMENT from the dedicated panel and EP system was certainly noteworthy with better defined bass and tightening of the sound stage to name a couple of stand outs. Remember, I started with dedicated circuits and the Shunyata Typhon 2s and the Everest X and still had sonic gains. I shut the system down and throw the knife switch when I know there are storms coming.  I'm way more calm when I can't throw the switch for whatever reason now that I have the EP surge system.

I am not an engineer and what I have told you is what I have read or been told by people I think should know. If I am missing something or am ill-informed please let me know here or in a PM. Sonic gains and better protection, contact V-Audio if you want to add an EP system.

PS Audio.  Give them a call Paul will probably answer the phone and will help you with this problem. He is fantastic and they have amazing equipment.  

First, anything less than a whole home surge protector is a waste of your time and money. They aren't that expensive. But remember the only way to avoid damage to any electrical device from a direct lightning strike is to have them physically unplugged from the wall socket. 

Second, there is no power conditioner or surge protection that will improve sound. That is not a thing that exists in the world of physics and the science of sound. So don't be fooled by those who say otherwise. The truth will set you free (and protect your wallet).

I also live in Florida (Miami Beach), and after a lightning strike fried my preamp, I put a whole house surge protector at the panel, another between the panel and the generator, and put in a Shunyata Everest.  Haven’t had any problems, and the Everest made everything sound better.  It was a surprisingly good investment and I highly recommend them.