My first simple mains conditioner/surge protection:

[maxlorenz]

Hello everybody:
This is my first post starting a thread
Please dear Moderator, look at this, in order to avoid doing harm to anyone who attempts to build it (including myself).

This is not an original schematic but an adaptation of various ones. I'm not inventing the wheel, I know, but I wanted to post it because it is simple, cheap and it works, IMHO.



Parts:

VDR: RS catalog nº 289 7301; use as many as you want. I use 3.

Capacitor X1: 47nF; RS cat nº 240 5334.

Capacitor Y2: 1.0nF; RS cat nº 441 9824.

Double apperture ferrite: 10uH each; RS cat nº 212 0617. I use at least 5 of these.

My AC mains are 220VAC. You should look at adequate parts if your AC mains are different.


Rather easy to build. Now I use them to power my digital front end(s) and my Class A power amps. I do find a positive effect in term of less HF noise but more importantly music is "rounder", less aggressive, with warmer tone and sweeter highs. I don't find any dynamics limitations.

Price, including cords and ac outlet should be around 20-30 UKP, depending on other parts quality.

I hope the diagram shows up

Please be kind with your comments as I'm very sensitive these days...

I hope you like it

Regards
Mauricio

[maxlorenz]

Oops!

The diagram doesn't show up.
Moderator: may I send it to you for edition?

Thanks
Mauricio

[maxlorenz]

I'm no good at this

The image is hidden on my gmail and a password is needed

Is there a charitative soul that would post it for me if I send it?

(seems that Moderator didn't like my post)

Thanks.
Mauricio

[wintermute]

Hi Mauricio,

if the image is no bigger than 100K and less than 900 pixels wide you should be able to upload it using the attach file bit below the input window.

when you have your image open in gmail right click on it (I'm assuming windows, not mac) and choose save image as. save it somewhere on your hard disk (or desktop) then use the browse button next to attach image to upload it

Hope that works for you.

and BTW welcome to the forum

Tony.

[Vidalgo]

Or use this fast and free service for image posting.

[Tyimo]

Hi Mauricio!

Please don't give up to post the picture! You make me interested for this mains conditioner.

Greets:

Tyimo

[maxlorenz]

Hi all!
Thanks for the help!

I hope you won't be dissapointed with this very basic unit
First image is of course the schematic. Second one is how it should look when built (rapid in-job drawing )
The double apperture core ferrite is made of a hi L material and also won't limit I.



Thanks Vidalgo for the imageshack service. I hope I can post it.
My 10 year old daughter has a personal photolog and his daddy can't post a simple pick on the forum!
Our age is passed

and BTW welcome to the forum

Hi Wintermute, in fact I'm here two years. Only recently I found the "introductions" forum. I will make my formal intro ASAP

Thanks again and enjoy my first humble contribution


Mauricio

[ctviggen]

Are those capacitors really nanofarads? (i.e., 0.047 microfarads) Are those Radio Shack numbers? I can't find them in the US version of the catalog.

[claudio]

Should be RS-Components code: www.rs-components.com

Mauricio, why don't you get a ready to use IEC filter like RS FN9222-1/06 or similars?

Regards,
Claudio

[Tweeker]

Those are really nF, I see ~22nF capacitors to ground and/or across the mains on the primary side of alot of products. If you make them way too big they will eat some power and become less effective at HF.