Power Conditioner Circuit (Picture shows up now)

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rouslan

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Joined 2006
#1
I am planning to make a simple power conditioner\stabilizer for 120VAC 60Hz and have bought a few parts.

(sorry about the picture not showing up-it should now!)
pix: ftp://nrouslan.dyndns.org/DSCF0507.JPG

Will this circuit actually help even out the power without interfering with the AC frequency?

Will the capacitor safely work for this purpose (it is from USSR production and probably does not follow the X1-2, Y standard)?

What ampere rating do you think the toroids work at?
 
#5
rouslan said:
Will the capacitor safely work for this purpose (it is from USSR production and probably does not follow the X1-2, Y standard)?
Click to expand...

X and Y Mains rated capacitors

Two types of safety mains rated capacitor are available: Class X and Class Y. They are designed for connection across the 230v mains supply, and are are self-healing, and flame resistant. However Class X must NOT be used where failure could pose a shock hazard, such as across live and earth. Class Y should be used for these applications, and in general, are a better solution for the DIYer.

These are the only type of capacitor rated for connection across mains AC voltages, for instance in mains supply EMF filtration. Any other type will fail when subjected to the stresses of constant mains AC.
 
#6
rouslan said:
Will this circuit actually help even out the power without interfering with the AC frequency?
Click to expand...

What you have here won't "condition", "even out" or "stabilize" anything - it's an EMI filter, so it will keep high frequency noise out, and that's that.

Your toroids have bifilar windings, i.e. there's only the enamel to insulate L from N, which is insufficient. Compare a proper common mode choke:
CM_172_190_WB.psd.gif


The cap is rated at 400V, that is DC. While 250VAC = 350VDC peak, this is no longer considered adequate - see pinkmouse's previous post. BTW, an X2 cap is tested for 2.5kV spikes ... and note your cap has a metal can for worst safety :xeye:

For a simple filter, get a canned one (often combined with an IEC320 power plug and fuse). It will have proper specs printed on top.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

Alternatively, take the input filter from a dead PC SMPS, it has all the proper parts, including the essential fuse as well as a PTC to limit inrush current, and specs follow from the SMPS rating.
 
#8
rouslan said:
From the picture, there is a symbol with a 1 and says its rated at 400V. I think it is intended to be connected to the mains.
Click to expand...

Quite likely was intended for an asynchronous motor (running off 230V, yes). It very likely won't blow up in your face if you connect it across 230VAC, but it's not safe for X or Y applications by today's standards, and you'd be liable if the s* ever did hit the fan, e.g. live shorting to the metal can and somone getting their fingers into the wrong spot at the wrong time ...
 
#9
Working with mains voltages is potentially very dangerous.

I recommend you always follow safe working practice.

If you do not yet know the safe practices then leave the mains side alone and use your new skills on the low voltage side until you have developed the expertise to start working on the mains side.

BE SAFE. BE ALIVE.
 
#13
AndrewT said:
can anyone decypher the Russian codes into plain English?
If B is substituted for V in the voltage rating, then what does B indicate?
Click to expand...

Some Russian data sheets print units in Latin, just like the labelling on this capacitor - "2 µF 400 V" is 2 microfarads, 400 Volts. In Cyrillic, microfarads would be written as "мкф", volts as "В".

I'm by no means an expert, but I would guess "ОКБГ" (OKBG) to be the manufacturer and "МИ" (MI) to be the type of capacitor. I've seen similar units with "-МП" (MP, metal/paper??) suffix.
 
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