FSR SPC-20 - Manual (Page 2)

POWER PRODUCT GROUP
Phone: 973-785-4347 Fax: 973-785-3318 Web: www.fsrinc.com E-Mail: [email protected]
FSR
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your purchase of an FSR
SEQUENCING POWER CONDITIONER
(SPC-20) and congratulations on your choice.
This equipment, not only sequences the
power turn on, it also provides maximum
protection form the types of hazards faced by
delicate analog and digital pro audio and video
equipment.
Your SPC-20 provides the most complete and
comprehensive protection form power line-
related transient voltages, noise and wiring
faults available. It combines a high voltage
surge and transient suppressor with an RFI/EMI
interference fi lter. The fast-acting suppression
circuit responds in less than a nanosecond,
clamping transient voltages to safe levels, the
fi lter works to prevent noise from fl uorescent
lights, certain dimmers, radio transmitters, and
similar sources of “electronic pollution” from
contaminating the AC line and from there,
leaking into sensitive audio, video, or computer
circuits.
What sets the FSR SPC Series apart from
other sequencers and conditioners is the
use of TRIACS as the switching element
instead of relays, which are prone to failure.
Also another distinguishing feature is the
quantity, quality, and confi guration of its
suppression devices. These include MOV’s,
gas discharge tubes, fast-blow fuses, and high
voltage inductors and capacitors. This unique
combination can safely absorb and dissipate
large spikes from nearby lightning strikes and
other sources as well as highly attenuate audible
high frequency noise.
NOTE: SPC-20 requires that a safety ground
be present for proper operation. Any attempt
to operate the SPC-20 without a safety ground
is considered improper operation and could
invalidate the warranty.
Effects of Lightning
Lightning is a natural phenomenon of
overwhelming force that represents the most
diffi cult circumstance faced by a power
protection product. The degree of protection a
SPC-20 can offer depends on the intensity of
the strike. If lightning strikes a distant power
line and causes a relatively small disturbance to
reach your location, the spike suppressors in the
SPC-20 will absorb the excess voltage invisibly
and harmlessly. However, if lightning strikes the
actual building where the SPC-20 is installed
(or somewhere very nearby) some damage
may be unavoidable due to the extremely
high voltage and current present. If this does
occur, most likely damage will be limited to
the SPC-20 itself and will affect only certain
spike suppression components (called varistors
or MOV’s.) In this “suicide” mode, the SPC-
20 may sustain minor damage but generally
will protect all equipment plugged into it from
much more serious and costly damage as long
as the equipment is properly grounded. Proper
grounding requires the use of three-prong AC
cords, and that the building’s outlets are actually
grounded to earth as specifi ed by local building
codes.
Any SPC-20 known to have taken a direct
lightning hit should be checked by a qualifi ed
technician or the FSR factory to determine
whether the MOV’s need replacement. If
the surge circuits indicator is not lit, there
is defi nitely some damage. Some spike
suppression capability may still be available,
but there is no guarantee of this.
For optimum protection, you should not rely
exclusively on the SPC-20 to protect against
a direct lightning hit. The fi rst line of defense
against lightning should be a lightning arrestor
installed on your building’s electrical service
entrance. If your building does not have
one, contact your local power company or a
contractor to have one installed.