Auto Voltage Regulation: How big a deal is it?

[EndersShadow]

I am down to deciding between the two normal surge protectors, the APC H15 or the Belkin PF60. The H15 has Automatic Voltate Regulation, the Belkin does not.

How big a deal is that? I live in an apartment in Indianapolis, and we do have occasionally have the power flip off and then back on a second later. But beyond that not a lot of issues I am aware of with power. How big a deal is Automatic Voltage Regulation? Is it a dealbreaker?

P.S. I have a killawatt which I think I read could measure voltage on my sockets but dont know how to get it to do that.

[heiney9]

Voltage regulation was one of the main reasons I bought the APC. When I lived in an apartment I had quite a voltage swing from 107 to 126 on some Summer days. For me personally I wouldn't buy this type of product with out regulation, but that's just me. In my house it stays between 120-123 pretty consistently.

It's a nice feature, a deal breaker???? Not sure.

H9

[EndersShadow]

Anyone know if the killawatt's display will reflect if you have changes in your incoming voltage, and if so how to set it to do so?

[Joe08867]

I do not know if you can set the display but I prefer voltage reg over non voltage reg.

[EndersShadow]

I guess a better question is what would happens if their is low or high voltage being sent to my components

[Joe08867]

Fluctuations in the signal can cause distortion and if low or high enough possible damage to the components.

The question is, how much are you worried about it.

I prefer regulation mostly for piece of mind, but also to possibly eliminate the distortion from the fluctuating power coming into my home.

[EndersShadow]

Fluctuations in the signal can cause distortion and if low or high enough possible damage to the components.

The question is, how much are you worried about it.

I prefer regulation mostly for piece of mind, but also to possibly eliminate the distortion from the fluctuating power coming into my home.

Yeah I just kept thinking for 300 I could get 2 Belkins or ONE H15.

I think for the time being I will just go with the H15. I want that piece of mind given the total cost of my gear. That and since I will be eventually upgrading to more expensive gear, it will only save me more later on.

I might get a PF60 for my computer setup though at a later date. Not sure.

Unfortunately the wife liked the PF60 better. Too bad.

[Marty913]

IIRC you reset it first (Killiwatt device) and plug it in the device(s) into it it, then plug it in the wall. I forget what the default readout is but think it's watts (maybe volts). Anyway, there is a menu button that should cycle through the readouts. Readings are cumulative for a day, week, month, or year and if you plug in your local power cost (probably around 11.5 - 12.0 cents) it will also show dollars on a different set of readouts. I believe the ones you want (non-$$) are the default so you may not have to mess with menu button much. Can't do any harm to play a round with it, it's a passive device.

[EndersShadow]

IIRC you reset it first (Killiwatt device) and plug it in the device(s) into it it, then plug it in the wall. I forget what the default readout is but think it's watts (maybe volts). Anyway, there is a menu button that should cycle through the readouts. Readings are cumulative for a day, week, month, or year and if you plug in your local power cost (probably around 11.5 - 12.0 cents) it will also show dollars on a different set of readouts. I believe the ones you want (non-$$) are the default so you may not have to mess with menu button much. Can't do any harm to play a round with it, it's a passive device.

Yeah I was thinking maybe I could use it to see the voltage coming from the wall to my components, but I dont know if it can do that.

Does the H15 show you wattage draw on the display like the PF60 does? That would be super nice as I always wonder how much my system actually uses

[Marty913]

Yeah I was thinking maybe I could use it to see the voltage coming from the wall to my components, but I dont know if it can do that.

Does the H15 show you wattage draw on the display like the PF60 does? That would be super nice as I always wonder how much my system actually uses

It measures "draw" (output from the Killawatt) so just plugging it the wall will show zero. You can however measure what "draw" some or all of your equipment has. you can do that with a power strip (or surge protector). Since the Killawatt has only 1 input, just plug everything you want to measure into the power strip / surge and plug that into the Killawatt. It's a purely passive device that just measures the watts passing through it and displaying that info in a number of different ways.

[TECHNOKID]

I am down to deciding between the two normal surge protectors, the APC H15 or the Belkin PF60. The H15 has Automatic Voltate Regulation, the Belkin does not.

How big a deal is that? I live in an apartment in Indianapolis, and we do have occasionally have the power flip off and then back on a second later. But beyond that not a lot of issues I am aware of with power. How big a deal is Automatic Voltage Regulation? Is it a dealbreaker?

P.S. I have a killawatt which I think I read could measure voltage on my sockets but dont know how to get it to do that.

I guess a better question is what would happens if their is low or high voltage being sent to my components

With today's smallish electronic switching power supplies, external voltage regulation is a must as it can make the differece between a piece of gear surviving power outages and fluctuations (I made a killing in repairs during the ice storm in 95 I believe. ;) ). When loosing power, it usually comes back with huge spikes which are very harmfull to nowadays flimsy switching (surface mount) power supplies. Lower voltages than usal can also harm the equipment. External voltage regulation will provide extra protection to your equipment which will also prolonged the lifespan of the gear in some instances (less strain the fragile switching suface mount components).

[Gadabout]

If you really concerned about looking at your incoming voltage, we use one of these at work. Mainly for trouble shooting customers that have repeat problems or symptoms that don't make sense on our instruments.

They work pretty well, just leave in place for a few days or a week and look and see what your power is really doing.

AC Scout Power Monitoring

Scott

[TECHNOKID]

If you really concerned about looking at your incoming voltage, we use one of these at work. Mainly for trouble shooting customers that have repeat problems or symptoms that don't make sense on our instruments.

They work pretty well, just leave in place for a few days or a week and look and see what your power is really doing.

AC Scout Power Monitoring

Scott

Neat little gadget!

[zingo]

You can also use your DMM to measure the voltage at the wall.

I purchased the Tripp-lite LCR2400 because it does have voltage regulation. It's a industrial product that I am very happy with and would choose again. My house was running about 116v out of the wall, so correction was necessary for me.

[EndersShadow]

You can also use your DMM to measure the voltage at the wall.

I purchased the Tripp-lite LCR2400 because it does have voltage regulation. It's a industrial product that I am very happy with and would choose again. My house was running about 116v out of the wall, so correction was necessary for me.

Attachment 60839

If I had a dedicated rack in its own room I might go with something like that, but as its visible, that thing is just too ugly to pass muster with the wife.

[zingo]

Eh, it's not that bad. It has a nice industrial look that means business. Plus, the outlets on the front are a nice touch and convenient from time to time.

[TECHNOKID]

You can also use your DMM to measure the voltage at the wall.

I purchased the Tripp-lite LCR2400 because it does have voltage regulation. It's a industrial product that I am very happy with and would choose again. My house was running about 116v out of the wall, so correction was necessary for me.

Attachment 60839

Love those trip lite, very impressive worth while paying the extra coin for the commercial quality. No more APC plastic home garbage for me. The only thing it is missing is a cooling fan however, nice having couple front outlets and the breaker being in front, you do not have to bent behind it to reset when needed.

Eh, it's not that bad. It has a nice industrial look that means business. Plus, the outlets on the front are a nice touch and convenient from time to time.

Actually if one sets it properly on his rack it would look spiffy. With the amount AC outlet on this thing (16 total, right?) that would be perfect for my future HT rack mount (approx. 4'0), no need for any extra power for your gear. The multitude of front leds aren't too distracting?

[zingo]

I think it looks like a serious piece of audio equipment and is a nice look and addition to my audio rack. It has 14 outlets, can handle 2400w, does not limit current, and like you said, all the controls are on the front which is nice. The LEDs are not distracting as only one is on at a time; based on what the voltage is. The LCR2400 is not as fancy as the H15, and does not have the readouts and screens which would be nice, but I think the LCR2400 is a better overall unit.

[EndersShadow]

I think it looks like a serious piece of audio equipment and is a nice look and addition to my audio rack. It has 14 outlets, can handle 2400w, does not limit current, and like you said, all the controls are on the front which is nice. The LEDs are not distracting as only one is on at a time; based on what the voltage is. The LCR2400 is not as fancy as the H15, and does not have the readouts and screens which would be nice, but I think the LCR2400 is a better overall unit.

I agree its a good bang for the buck product, but for me, its only destined to be in a 2 channel setup that only I really go look at. My wife REALLY liked the P60, but I want the AVR which the belkin doesnt have.

The triplite may find its way into my computer room/2 channel rig at a much later date. Got word on something I need to start saving for so this H15 is my last purchase for a couple months. Thank god I will be working a good amount of overtime the next month to get the new piece of gear