What could happen during brownouts?

[wingman0121]

Most newer stuff just turns off when the AC line voltage gets too low, but what about things that only have a manual on/off switch? What could happen if I was listening to music and all the sudden the AC voltage drops to say, 80v or something really low?

 

[sony6060]

I do not know where you live, but 80 volts line is not likely anywhere in the USA unless damage from a storm occurs. Most tube gear would not be damaged, the SS Sony VFET vintage gear would likely be damaged.

 

[wingman0121]

I do not know where you live, but 80 volts line is not likely anywhere in the USA unless damage from a storm occurs. Most tube gear would not be damaged, the SS Sony VFET vintage gear would likely be damaged.

There was a storm last night (central WI), I see the storm approaching on the radar so I turned off all of my equipment then unplugged the power cord for my surge protector. A few minutes later the lights started to flicker, it went from off to halfway on then off again for about 10 seconds before we lost power. It was a pretty severe brownout when a 120 watt blub looks about as bright as a 40 watter.

 

[slow_jazz]

Used to be very bad for refrigerators and freezers.

Not sure if that is still the case...

 

[Rockyhill]

There was a storm last night (central WI), I see the storm approaching on the radar so I turned off all of my equipment then unplugged the power cord for my surge protector. A few minutes later the lights started to flicker, it went from off to halfway on then off again for about 10 seconds before we lost power. It was a pretty severe brownout when a 120 watt blub looks about as bright as a 40 watter.

+1.

If weather suggests a potential issue with electrical supply, I just turn things off and unplug sensitive electronics.

 

[BigElCat]

I had the transformer closest to my house fail in a manner that cause a brown-out to take place on one of the 110 volt legs. This destroyed a $160 vhs vcr that I had recently purchased. My window ACs also failed prematurely.

It seems to me that most transformers fail with a loud shot gun blast, and these sudden failures don't cause damage to household appliances.

I guess most residences in the US have the two 110 volt entrance legs. It said to be 110v, not that it actually is 110v.

 

[131east23]

This can really mess with your rectifier tubes... A quick off then back on with a tube amp can really be annoying.

 

[Gang-Twanger]

+1.

If weather suggests a potential issue with electrical supply, I just turn things off and unplug sensitive electronics.

I've been unplugging certain sensitive stuff lately whenever I see/hear a storm coming . I've heard people argue for AND against going the power-strip route. I scored an undustrial one from my stepfather's place of business, so I use that on my 2-channel hi-fi rig (which basically consists of my receiver, my turntable, my external dac, and obviously my speakers (I assume that the speakers are just as vulnerable as the amp that's powering them when it comes to lightning-strikes, brownouts, etc., since they're connected to the power-source that's connected to the power-outlet).


One thing I wasn't sure about was the computer and hard drives. Since they have external power-supplies, is the data on a hard drive just as vulnerable to brownouts, lightning strikes, etc., or is it not a big deal? I do physical backups, and I rarely-have more than one external hard drive plugged in at the same time (usually just one plus the one on my desktop PC), and I mainly do this in case any of the drives themselves fail, but I'd still like to know the real story on this.

I love listening to rap and techno stuff on my W60's (Been listening to that all-night-long). They have a smooth, effortless bass-response that makes that stuff sound great without the bass being TOO-much (or UNREALISTICALLY-big). The funny thing is, my jazz music is generally-more-punishing to my speakers than the rap and techno stuff I have (I like rap music that uses punishing JAZZ beats).

 

[Pandovski]

 

[jimbofish]

the SS Sony VFET vintage gear would likely be damaged.

Not necessarily. I've got two Sony Vfet amps and they have a protection circuit that clicks in and shuts down the output if the power supply drops. It clicks back in when the power returns to normal.

At the house we used to live in it would click off for a few seconds every time the furnace blower started. In this house it only does it when the AC compressor starts.

 

[transmaster]

This is where a whole house power conditioner can really help part of their functioning is as a voltage regulator they can maintain a steady voltage as long as it falls with in their operating parameters, while this is not a problem here is the states, if so equipped, they can also maintain a 60Hz syn-wave. If you live in an area that does have this problem a whole house power conditioner is money in the bank.

 

[sony6060]

Not necessarily. I've got two Sony Vfet amps and they have a protection circuit that clicks in and shuts down the output if the power supply drops. It clicks back in when the power returns to normal.

At the house we used to live in it would click off for a few seconds every time the furnace blower started. In this house it only does it when the AC compressor starts.

Good info. For what I read in other posts about reduced voltage start up warnings on Sony VFET products, apparently no real danger exists.

 

[jimbofish]

Good info. For what I read in other posts about reduced voltage start up warnings on Sony VFET products, apparently no real danger exists.

I can't say that. There is a warning in the SM not to increase the voltage gradually as it will cause V-fet failure.

I just said that there is a protection circuit and maybe a brownout doesn't necessarily cause a failure.

There's an explanation in the SM or how it works, but it's greek to me.

 

[jsisk]

The only things in my house that are plugged directly into the wall outlets are the lights and kitchen appliances. Everything else is on a surge protector or UPS. Our power goes out at least 2 or 3 times a year and has for the last 20 years. Never lost any electronics.