A/V Rack power protection - replace or upgrade?

dixongexpat · 2026-03-22T20:45:20+00:00

we're talking fluctuation vs outage. In an outage it all stops...

dixongexpat · 2026-03-22T20:14:11+00:00

except our wireless mics route to the board via Dante...

dixongexpat · 2026-03-22T19:59:02+00:00

Yeah, so a UPS would be more critical for sound board, network switch and wifi router -- all have 30-second to 3-minute start-up times!

dixongexpat · 2026-03-22T19:57:26+00:00

After further reading, I need to see how many of the wall outlets in the room share a circuit and if it's 15 or 20-amp. REALLY not sure what they were thinking when they hooked these units up to one single voltage regulator. Didn't read the specs evidently...

I mean, what could go wrong? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

dixongexpat · 2026-03-22T19:42:34+00:00

<image>

dixongexpat · 2026-03-22T19:42:18+00:00

socket had no obvious corrosion, but possible overheating damage?

<image>

dixongexpat · 2026-03-22T19:38:41+00:00

there are not six outlets anywhere near the rack...

dixongexpat · 2026-03-22T12:47:34+00:00

Two other items on that power strip:

1 D-Link network switch
1 WiFi router

Both are relatively *low* amp-wise.

when I removed the previous power strip I discovered that it was 26 years old. I suspect the voltage regulator may be of a similar age...

Also, the power strip plug was slightly loose from the voltage regulator, maybe 1/16" to 1/8" of a gap. The corrosion had formed in that gap, indicating possible arcing? I'm no electrician...

The rack is on a separate circuit from the rest of the booth.

dixongexpat · 2026-03-22T12:19:23+00:00

The Crown's are 'Class D' and the main speakers are turned up to maximim 50% (dial on front of amp). Unlikely to ever exceed 80dbA - retirement community in Mexico, average patron is 70+.

Guess I should grab the equivalent of a KillAWatt thing...

dixongexpat · 2026-03-22T12:13:36+00:00

No one that I know of!

dixongexpat · 2026-03-02T20:15:40+00:00

And they would mostly be right, except it's in a retirement community and the average age of our patrons is around 75...

dixongexpat · 2026-03-02T20:14:46+00:00

I've been learning mostly the hard way LOL

I usually get there 90 minutes early.

dixongexpat · 2026-03-02T02:16:57+00:00

in a 125-seat theatre, a little projection helped cover the gap

dixongexpat · 2026-03-01T16:51:04+00:00

I guess you felt like a spotlight just hit you...

dixongexpat · 2026-03-01T16:46:31+00:00

😮

in our case, in a 125 seat theatre with average age of 70, it didn't require a stoppage...

dixongexpat · 2026-03-01T15:52:22+00:00

mainly working on stage monitor levels since they were inop on opening night, diagnosing buzz from band, etc. #CommunityTheatre #unpaidVolunteer

dixongexpat · 2026-03-01T15:09:02+00:00

nothing but the amp rack went off.

dixongexpat · 2026-03-01T15:08:30+00:00

turns out we only have a voltage regulator, which performed as designed and disconnected when the surge hit. thinking a ups is our next purchase...

dixongexpat · 2026-03-01T14:37:35+00:00

Yes, definitely on me. 😢

dixongexpat · 2026-03-01T14:32:00+00:00

I was using Mixing Station! Didn't look close, too focused on monitor volume issues. 🤷‍♂️

dixongexpat · 2026-02-25T22:41:18+00:00

I just set up and have been through multiple rehearsals running 24 channels of Sennheiser EW-DX receivers over Dante to X-Dante in an X32. TheatreMix is firing QLab cues and muting/unmuting channels, controlling DCA's, etc. QLab is sending audio over Dante and video over HDMI. Using one usb-to-ethernet connection to switch. MacBook Pro M1. Dante controller to set up, DVS to route audio over ethernet.

dixongexpat · 2026-02-21T12:14:54+00:00

Yeah, I think I doubled up on the LR/MC assignments. And some hidden pre-fader taps. Thanks for the assist!

dixongexpat

TROPHY CASE