Hi Sintek,
You are probably picking up the arc from the power switch as it opens up. The best way to cure that is to install an MOV across the power transformer primary rated for about 150 VAC with a high energy rating. I have forgotten how to rate these since it has been years since I last bought any. Doing this will also greatly extend the life of your power switches.
Note that this is to be connected right across the primary so that it clamps the arc, and if it shorts due to an AC mains event (voltage spike), it will blow the fuse.
-Chris
You are probably picking up the arc from the power switch as it opens up. The best way to cure that is to install an MOV across the power transformer primary rated for about 150 VAC with a high energy rating. I have forgotten how to rate these since it has been years since I last bought any. Doing this will also greatly extend the life of your power switches.
Note that this is to be connected right across the primary so that it clamps the arc, and if it shorts due to an AC mains event (voltage spike), it will blow the fuse.
-Chris
Hi Enzo,
Yes, it is probably due to the amplifier design during turn-off knowing that there is no "crack" or "snap" component involved. When I hear of a large noise "at turnoff", that usually means the switch arced which the still active amplifier picked up. If the noise occurs as the power decays, then it is a design feature.
Having said this, it is a great idea to install an MOV across the primary of the transformer in anything you would like to keep. This quenchs the turn-off arc which most often occurs, depending on which part of the AC cycle the contacts open. The MOV absorbs the voltage spike due to inductance and therefore saves the switch or relay contacts that are interrupting the current flow. So, an MOV rated at 150V these days is a worthwhile investment. If you get a big electrical spike, or the line goes high,the MOV will conduct and maybe blow the fuse. If the MOV fails, it will blow the fuse. If the MOV fails open, then nothing matters anyhow. Chances are everything plugged in, on or not, has been zapped to death.
-Chris
Yes, it is probably due to the amplifier design during turn-off knowing that there is no "crack" or "snap" component involved. When I hear of a large noise "at turnoff", that usually means the switch arced which the still active amplifier picked up. If the noise occurs as the power decays, then it is a design feature.
Having said this, it is a great idea to install an MOV across the primary of the transformer in anything you would like to keep. This quenchs the turn-off arc which most often occurs, depending on which part of the AC cycle the contacts open. The MOV absorbs the voltage spike due to inductance and therefore saves the switch or relay contacts that are interrupting the current flow. So, an MOV rated at 150V these days is a worthwhile investment. If you get a big electrical spike, or the line goes high,the MOV will conduct and maybe blow the fuse. If the MOV fails, it will blow the fuse. If the MOV fails open, then nothing matters anyhow. Chances are everything plugged in, on or not, has been zapped to death.
-Chris
Thanks for the responses.
My apologies for the confusion of terms. The sound is most definitely a pop, and it happens despite amp or source volume, or when plugged into a surge protector, suppressor, conditioner, or noise filter.
These drivers aren't meant for the kind of excursion I see when they are turned off, and if the voice coils aren't already damaged, they will be after more on/off cycles. I know they're entry-level garbage, but for my purposes they perform just fine.
Thanks for the suggestion of a varistor. That looks to be the way I'll go, after reading up and gaining a better understanding of course.
My apologies for the confusion of terms. The sound is most definitely a pop, and it happens despite amp or source volume, or when plugged into a surge protector, suppressor, conditioner, or noise filter.
These drivers aren't meant for the kind of excursion I see when they are turned off, and if the voice coils aren't already damaged, they will be after more on/off cycles. I know they're entry-level garbage, but for my purposes they perform just fine.
Thanks for the suggestion of a varistor. That looks to be the way I'll go, after reading up and gaining a better understanding of course.
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