The thought struck me of building my own power distribution box with a surge protector inside. Then I thought, why cant I just build my own surge protector from scratch? Then I thought, if I'm building my own circuit, why not incorporate some filtering as well? Note that the goal here would be a fun project/experience more than practicality/cost savings.
Is such a DIY project safe, or is it best to leave surge protection to the certified professionals?
Are there resources/guides/discussions about building such circuits I could reference?
Is this even the right forum for this discussion?
Is such a DIY project safe, or is it best to leave surge protection to the certified professionals?
Are there resources/guides/discussions about building such circuits I could reference?
Is this even the right forum for this discussion?
I don't think it is any more dangerous than building a power supply. You have to take into account the rules for creepage and clearance for things connected straight to the mains, use X and Y capacitors where appropriate and use a suitable fuse, but the same holds when making a power supply fed from the mains.
It's cheaper to just buy a good one. If you need higher current for all the gear, just buy two.
I have a bunch of these, and would never even consider trying to build one.
https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Protector-Right-Angle-ISOBAR8ULTRA/dp/B0000511U7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3NUHQPIARIHY9&keywords=Tripp+Lite+ISOBAR8Ultra+Isobar&qid=1654377923&s=electronics&sprefix=tripp+lite+isobar8ultra+isobar,electronics,85&sr=1-1&th=1
I have a bunch of these, and would never even consider trying to build one.
https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Protector-Right-Angle-ISOBAR8ULTRA/dp/B0000511U7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3NUHQPIARIHY9&keywords=Tripp+Lite+ISOBAR8Ultra+Isobar&qid=1654377923&s=electronics&sprefix=tripp+lite+isobar8ultra+isobar,electronics,85&sr=1-1&th=1
I've found some nice filters and power bars at thrift stores over the years. The best being a Monster that includes a wired remote with switchable volt/amp meter. But I'm also fond of the Intermatic Electra Guard that's designed to serve as a computer monitor stand and has lighted rocker switches on the front and outlets at the back.
Building makes sense if you can acquire the parts from junk or cheap surplus sources, more so if those include vintage panel meters and neon indicators.
Building makes sense if you can acquire the parts from junk or cheap surplus sources, more so if those include vintage panel meters and neon indicators.
SoaDMTGguy:
Richard Marsh's article (supplied by Mark, above) mentions the benefits of balanced power conditioners. You'd need a balanced toroid, and I'm trying to get a balanced toroid group buy started (https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/balanced-toroid-group-buy.386798/#post-7037948). Want in?
Regards,
Scott
Richard Marsh's article (supplied by Mark, above) mentions the benefits of balanced power conditioners. You'd need a balanced toroid, and I'm trying to get a balanced toroid group buy started (https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/balanced-toroid-group-buy.386798/#post-7037948). Want in?
Regards,
Scott
If you recycle an old induction cooker you can find nice parts.
Ik have 2 filter pcb's . Each with 4inductors 9 caps and a varistor.
And the main pcb has nice high voltage caps.
Ik have 2 filter pcb's . Each with 4inductors 9 caps and a varistor.
And the main pcb has nice high voltage caps.
1kw isolation traffo, 30A EMI filter, 270VAC MOV....parts harvested from junked equipment...
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Your getting great advice here and I would just add that while building such a unit for the workbench is one thing please also bear in mind that if it is something you intend to use as a fixture in the home (where other family members will come into contact with it and where it may be left powered and unattended) then it must constructed to be safe under all possible conditions such as shock hazards and fire risk. Every possible safety scenario must be accounted for.
My interest in power conditioners was in improving audio quality. Each surge protector has some AC filtration, so I daisy-chained all my surge protectors, 14 in total, to see if daisy-chaining improved the sound.
In my headphone setup I noticed a significant improvement in imaging and instrumental separation as well as a much much deeper bass. The resolution of the sound and background atmosphere became much clearer particularly when actors are speaking and background sound is noticeably clearer such as ocean surf, car traffic or cafe background voices.
In my final 14th surge protector I have plugged in a Sony 4k Bluray X800M2 15W player, Dell 1080p HDMI monitor, one linear 15v R-core linear power supply (with two GX16 output ports) to power my Topping 15v A50s headphone amp on one output and down regulate the second output to 5v to power the IanCanada PurePi + DAC stack, one linear 12v R-core power supply down regulated to 5v and one 5v Talema power linear power supply to power the IanCanada OPA861 I/V board.
This experiment didn't cost me much money, my local used goods store (Goodwill) sells them for $7 each. Although used surge protectors may or may not function properly... a couple I had to return. I also had problems with power stability when using Furman brand power conditioners in the chain, wifi dropped, or black screens and audio dropout, so I removed those.
American plugs are rated limited to 1440 watts (12A x 120V) for continuous loads (on for more than three hours). I will need to get an AC watt monitor the total power consumption. I will not plug in a high power high heat device e.g. floor heater, microwave oven, or a high power Class-a amp.
However, I cannot comment on surge protection and daisy-chaining and am reading conflicting advice if one surge protector will interfere with another's ability to protect (electronics.stackexchange.com). My setup has been plugged in for several weeks and haven't had problems.
In my headphone setup I noticed a significant improvement in imaging and instrumental separation as well as a much much deeper bass. The resolution of the sound and background atmosphere became much clearer particularly when actors are speaking and background sound is noticeably clearer such as ocean surf, car traffic or cafe background voices.
In my final 14th surge protector I have plugged in a Sony 4k Bluray X800M2 15W player, Dell 1080p HDMI monitor, one linear 15v R-core linear power supply (with two GX16 output ports) to power my Topping 15v A50s headphone amp on one output and down regulate the second output to 5v to power the IanCanada PurePi + DAC stack, one linear 12v R-core power supply down regulated to 5v and one 5v Talema power linear power supply to power the IanCanada OPA861 I/V board.
This experiment didn't cost me much money, my local used goods store (Goodwill) sells them for $7 each. Although used surge protectors may or may not function properly... a couple I had to return. I also had problems with power stability when using Furman brand power conditioners in the chain, wifi dropped, or black screens and audio dropout, so I removed those.
American plugs are rated limited to 1440 watts (12A x 120V) for continuous loads (on for more than three hours). I will need to get an AC watt monitor the total power consumption. I will not plug in a high power high heat device e.g. floor heater, microwave oven, or a high power Class-a amp.
However, I cannot comment on surge protection and daisy-chaining and am reading conflicting advice if one surge protector will interfere with another's ability to protect (electronics.stackexchange.com). My setup has been plugged in for several weeks and haven't had problems.
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Safe? Well that depends on how good you are informed about the legislation in your part of the world, the use of appropriate components and the design rules to comply with them. I'm not saying it cannot be done but keep in mind that if something happens then you as builder will have a lot to explain to your insurance company. Now that does not mean that it is impossible but just to warn you that this isn't as simple as to put some low voltage circuit together. And even when I see some on this board I have cold shivers down my spine.
Like this one...
Oh my... This is just a disaster waiting to happen.
Surge protection and co-ordination of the devices and making sure it works as intended is not simple. I'm an electronics engineer and have worked years developing commercial, communications and medical equipment. But protection was always verified by others specialised in the field. Be it like here overvoltage and overcurrent or EMI and EMC. And tested by independent laboratories. Even then we got surprises. (like potted double insulated transformers with a hole burned through them and still working!)
Point taken. This was a short term experiment, nothing long term.
I will invest in a robust surge protector and power filter. For now I'll be using the Tripp-lite Isobar 8 plug. Although some amazon reviews note that sometimes there is an audible hum in the unit when using power hungry devices, something to look out / listen for when buying this unit.