power/ line conditioner

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PlutonicChronic

Well-Known Member
Is it recommended to use a power/ line conditioner with LEDs? I've heard LEDs have micoprocessors like computers and the surges can hurt them. A line conditioner seems like the best protection and I've seen LED journals with them which I can not currently find. Wish I could remember what brand of conditioner they were using.
 
Hey thanks I think that's even the same model of conditioner I saw in the previous LED journal that I can't find. One thing- If LEDs have a driver that can effectively deal with fluctuations, then do you think something like a brick wall/ isobar surge protector would be more logical to protect against lighting? Or would the conditioner still do a better job at this? Seems to me like if the brown outs/ fluctuations don't hurt the LEDs, then the conditioner is kind of aiming at the wrong problem?

Then again I've heard nothing can protect against lightning so don't invest in an expensive surge protector lol if that is true, might as well plug in2 the wall outlet

The "power centers" are also interesting. I guess they have better surge protection than normal line conditioners?
 
PlutonicChronic said:
A line conditioner seems like the best protection
Click to expand...
Some line conditioners selling even for $100 are a same circuit selling in a power strip for $7 in Wal-Mart. Any *subjective* answer can even prove Obama is a Martian.

A typically 120 volt UPS may output 200 volt square waves with a spike up to 270 volts. That may be harmful to some electric motors and power strip protectors. And is ideal voltage for all electronics. Because electronics are required to be so robust as to even make 'dirtiest' power from a UPS irrelevant.

They have you *subjectively* fearing a mythical anomaly. How often do your incandescent bulbs brighten or even dim to 50% intensity? Ideal voltage for electronics is even when incandescent bulbs dim to 50% intensity. Where is this destructive anomaly that will be cured by a line conditioner?

If it does line conditioning, then it defines each anomaly with a number. No numbers is why a $7 Wal-Mart circuit can also sell for $100 in an expensive looking box. If a threat exists, then see it. Such as in changing brightness of incandescent bulbs.

A useful line conditioner defines what anomaly it addresses with a number. No specific anomaly and no numbers is how the best and most profitable scams are promoted. How often are your lights dimming to 50% intensity? Where is the anomaly to be solved?
 
Well the debate over line conditioners rages on....ha:-) .......its forty bucks, so if it gives you peace of mind....worth it

Happy growing
 
westom1 said:
They have you *subjectively* fearing a mythical anomaly. How often do your incandescent bulbs brighten or even dim to 50% intensity? Ideal voltage for electronics is even when incandescent bulbs dim to 50% intensity. Where is this destructive anomaly that will be cured by a line conditioner?

A useful line conditioner defines what anomaly it addresses with a number. [/QUOTE

My lights dim maybe once every day. So you agree that the voltage fluctuation is harmless? That's what we concluded, so I was more concerned about lightning and I do remember you recommending a "whole house" surge protector for that.

Was just wondering if there is any easier way like "brick wall", "sureX", "isobar" etc. Or do the conditioners provide better surge protection?

You say some are the same as cheap walmart powerstrip, which ones are good?
Click to expand...
 
PlutonicChronic said:
So you agree that the voltage fluctuation is harmless? That's what we concluded, so I was more concerned about lightning and I do remember you recommending a "whole house" surge protector for that.

Was just wondering if there is any easier way
Click to expand...
Those devices claim to protect from transients that typically are not destructive. A Brickwall or Surgex will stop what three miles of sky could not? Not likely.

How often does a destructive surge exist? Typically once every seven years. A number that varies with venue. To say more would require, for example, a neighborhood history for the past decade.

Spend that much for an expensive solution plug-in solution. Or spend equal or less money for a 'whole house' solution.

Which ones are good? Numbers. For example, if power factor is a problem, then a line conditioner may list a number for power factor correction. If noise is a problem, then it will list filtering in dB for various frequencies. If voltage regulation is required, then it will list that regulation with numbers. If harmonics is a problem, then it might list something like %THD. If galvanic isolation is required, then numbers define that isolation. But no line conditioner does everything.

But again, no box solves all anomalies. That magic box is to often recommended when an anomaly is not first defined. Or when hearsay is sufficient to make a blanket recommendation.

Lightning (or something equivalent such as a car crashing into a telephone pole) may create a typically destructive anomaly. No adjacent box claims to protect from that anomaly. Again, the numbers.
 
PSUAGRO. said:
like I said drivers and ballasts can deal with current fluctuations generally speaking...
Click to expand...
Electronics are hyped as 'sensitive' when claims are made without numbers. For example, click for specifications for an LED driver sold by Clare:
This driver has an internal regulator that allows it to operate from 8VDC to 550VDC . This wide input operating voltage range enables the driver to be used in a broad range of HB LED applications.
Click to expand...
Why would anyone spend $100 for a UPS or line conditioner? When superior protection is easily inside an LED driver for so much less money.

What are spec numbers for those LED lights? Numbers are always required for a useful answer.
 
UPS would be pointless for LED although i bet it would be useful to prevent a HPS from having a hot start. Since the voltage fluctuations dont matter, i guess the line conditioner would be pointless as well. The only thing left is lightning protection and since nothing can stop that, I guess a wall outlet is the best choice.
 
PlutonicChronic said:
The only thing left is lightning protection and since nothing can stop that, I guess a wall outlet is the best choice.
Click to expand...
Your telco connects their $multi-million computer to overhead wires all over town. Therefore it suffers typically 100 surges with each storm. Why is it not damaged? Because protection even from direct lightning strikes has been routine for over 100 plus years.

Electronics atop the Empire State Building are struck 23 times annually. Why no damage? Because science and urban myths remain contradictory. A homeowner may suffer one surge every seven years. Even a direct lightning strike remains completely unknown to the homeowner if well proven solutions (that typically cost tens or 100 times less money) are implemented.

Any conclusion made without first learning facts and numbers is junk science. Upsetting how many still cannot tell the difference between junk science and 100 years of well proven science. We know how many can be manipulated by advertising (lies). How many knew Saddam had WMDs? Same junk science reasoning proves that outright and intentional lie.

Protection from direct lightning strikes is routine and easy. But only when one first learns well proven science. And ignores both urban myths and wild speculation. Subjective reasoning and wild speculation proven nothing. Any honest recommendation also provides perspective. That means numbers. Always.

Numbers: a typically destructive surge may occur once every seven years. A number that varies significantly even in the same town. A number that can be learned from over a decaded of neighborhood history.

Your telco suffers maybe 100 surges with each storm - and no damage. Because protection from direct lightning strikes was that routine even 100 years ago. But only if the consumer implements solutions defined by science and numbers.

So many just knew LEDs need protection. Then we view numbers from an LED driver manufacturer: any voltage from 8 to 550 volts. Claims that recommended protection simply failed to first learn the numbers.
 
PSUAGRO. said:
Yes a line conditioner is always advised when using sensitive electronic devices(i have a large unit in my entertainment center/ live in an old apartment complex).....But led panels due use a driver which can effectively deal with fluctuations in current..........I doesn't hurt to use one though........here you go

http://www.amazon.com/APC-LE1200-Au...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336572702&sr=1-1

happy growing.......
Click to expand...
Thanks for this. It answered my question as well and it's a reasonable price.
 
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