Hi,
I wish to ask what I am sure is essentially a dumb question:
I have an Aussie made 250VA, 240VAC, 50Hz, 1 A Conditioner made By Sola with two 3 pin power outlets.
It is an "industrial looking" 13.5 Kg unit so it's no toy.
I have no manuals or product info, it's an auction pick-up.
Website of Sola, now Powerware, no help.
Can anyone guide me in suitable uses & describe it's exact purpose.
Here on the Gold Coast the power supply is said to be "variable" but of course its hard to get a bead on what is meant by that, I think mainly the suggestion is that voltage can & does frequently fall below "legislated" levels, however I can't say I have noticed this affecting my audio gear, TV etc.
If I were to use this would I also need surge protection?
Peter O
I wish to ask what I am sure is essentially a dumb question:
I have an Aussie made 250VA, 240VAC, 50Hz, 1 A Conditioner made By Sola with two 3 pin power outlets.
It is an "industrial looking" 13.5 Kg unit so it's no toy.
I have no manuals or product info, it's an auction pick-up.
Website of Sola, now Powerware, no help.
Can anyone guide me in suitable uses & describe it's exact purpose.
Here on the Gold Coast the power supply is said to be "variable" but of course its hard to get a bead on what is meant by that, I think mainly the suggestion is that voltage can & does frequently fall below "legislated" levels, however I can't say I have noticed this affecting my audio gear, TV etc.
If I were to use this would I also need surge protection?
Peter O
with that weight, my guess it's some sort of transformer , probably self regulating type, meaning it can regulate the AC output voltage, by a servo motor action. so if the line voltage drops, the mechanism automatically adjust the transformer ratio to compensate in order to stabilize the output voltage.
Inside the Power Conditioner
I did take a peek inside & took the opportunity to vacuum away accumulated dust.
I saw only 2 components:
A Cornell Dubilier "Soggy Foil" can, oval in cross section rated 60Hz, 90Deg C, size about 80 mm high x 60 across - function unknown.
And a huge transformer like device, three windings within a laminated steel hoop - never seen anything similar before.
Wiring connections are silicone insulated rated 150 Deg C.
Nothing else except a pilot light & the outlet plug bodies.
No servo motor visible.
No unique earth connection either which surprised me.
Peter O
I did take a peek inside & took the opportunity to vacuum away accumulated dust.
I saw only 2 components:
A Cornell Dubilier "Soggy Foil" can, oval in cross section rated 60Hz, 90Deg C, size about 80 mm high x 60 across - function unknown.
And a huge transformer like device, three windings within a laminated steel hoop - never seen anything similar before.
Wiring connections are silicone insulated rated 150 Deg C.
Nothing else except a pilot light & the outlet plug bodies.
No servo motor visible.
No unique earth connection either which surprised me.
Peter O
mysterious devicePower Conditioner
No provision for manual adjustment.
Whatever this is exactly, it is clearly labelled:
"Power Conditioner" & it's obvious that whatever it does it is automatic.
I can't figure out how it does whatever it does with such a low component count.
Probably obvious to most here.
Peter O
No provision for manual adjustment.
Whatever this is exactly, it is clearly labelled:
"Power Conditioner" & it's obvious that whatever it does it is automatic.
I can't figure out how it does whatever it does with such a low component count.
Probably obvious to most here.
Peter O
Power Conditioner 20 guesses
If it's an isolation transformer it's unlike the mainstream.
And would an isolating tranni be marketed as a power conditioner?
This is a metal boxed piece of industrial gear with a makers name, clearly not a "one off".
There's lots of air around the components inside.
Peter O
If it's an isolation transformer it's unlike the mainstream.
And would an isolating tranni be marketed as a power conditioner?
This is a metal boxed piece of industrial gear with a makers name, clearly not a "one off".
There's lots of air around the components inside.
Peter O
Perterlo,
What you describe might be a ferroresonant transformer -
http://www.solaheviduty.com/products/powerconditioning/cvs.htm
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/chpt_9/6.html
If it looks like the one in the first URL, it is a ferroresonant transformer.
They're noisey, inefficient, but within their constraints do their tasks quite well.
As to the specifics as to what a power conditioner should and shouldn't do, I'll let you guys argue the semantics amongst yourselves......
What you describe might be a ferroresonant transformer -
http://www.solaheviduty.com/products/powerconditioning/cvs.htm
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/chpt_9/6.html
If it looks like the one in the first URL, it is a ferroresonant transformer.
They're noisey, inefficient, but within their constraints do their tasks quite well.
As to the specifics as to what a power conditioner should and shouldn't do, I'll let you guys argue the semantics amongst yourselves......
Ferroresonant Transformer as Power Conditioner
You found material on the web which I did not.
The metal box like configuration & description of extreme simplicity tend to confirm your assessment.
The specs do not look impressive to me:
Efficiency: up to 92%
Audible noise: 35 to 65 dBA
Distortion: 3%.
Also the use of a capacitor, which in my case might or migjt not be in good shape is of concern. In fact the can I described is not labelled with its capacitance so maybe its something else.
Looks like its time to plug this puppy in & see if I can put up with the noise & heat.
Thanks for the help
Peter O
You found material on the web which I did not.
The metal box like configuration & description of extreme simplicity tend to confirm your assessment.
The specs do not look impressive to me:
Efficiency: up to 92%
Audible noise: 35 to 65 dBA
Distortion: 3%.
Also the use of a capacitor, which in my case might or migjt not be in good shape is of concern. In fact the can I described is not labelled with its capacitance so maybe its something else.
Looks like its time to plug this puppy in & see if I can put up with the noise & heat.
Thanks for the help
Peter O
It's about time
A Sola is a voltage regulating transformer that adds distortion to the waveform itself. Use it with care, and listen if you do actually hear a positive difference. You well might, but then you might not. Trust me, I had a 1500W unit in my living room for years. It worked on my projection TV very well.
A Sola is a voltage regulating transformer that adds distortion to the waveform itself. Use it with care, and listen if you do actually hear a positive difference. You well might, but then you might not. Trust me, I had a 1500W unit in my living room for years. It worked on my projection TV very well.
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