Dirty power can be upsetting. Clean it up with Z Series AC power conditioning from MIT.

Transcription

1 F Z ogy M IT rpole Tech no l ilte M I T Z S e r i e s Dirty power can be upsetting. Clean it up with Z Series AC power conditioning from MIT. Inside: Why you need MIT AC power conditioning The benefits of MIT AC power conditioning How Z Series works, and why it's more effective Z Series family of AC power products Music Interface Technologies TM

2 Why you need AC power conditioning. With power comes noise. The very power it takes to drive your audio (or home theater) system can have a damaging effect on audio and video fidelity by allowing noise pollution into your system. It is the quality of the power that counts. Most audio and home theater equipment (in the US) is designed to function at 120 volts at a frequency of Hertz. Usually, power lines feeding AV components not only carry usable frequencies (50-60Hz), but also carry frequencies above and below this operative range. It s those uninvited frequencies that inject distortions directly into the audio and video path. This results in distortions you can see and hear. Generally, most appliances plugged into your walls are not sensitive to these problems. When it comes to lights or the refrigerator, the quality of the power does not really make an operational difference. Because of that, normal household power is not stabilized, filtered or conditioned certainly not for precision audio or video equipment. The higher the fidelity, the more noticeable AC distortions become. Q: Where does the noise come from? A: Power-line noise can come from a number of sources. Noise coming directly through the power-line or, direct-coupled noise, is caused by equipment such as electric motors, arc welders, powersupply switching-circuits (found in flat screen TVs), as well as most household appliances. Any device connected to your AC line can be a potential source of distortion. Many times, a noise source might be coming from a neighbors table saw down the street! Noise that is induced from indirect contact with the line is called fieldcoupled noise. This mode occurs when the line itself behaves as an antenna to external fields. These fields are generated by broadcast stations, radar, and many other sources of field radiation, including other unshielded cables positioned nearby. Computers, video components and digital audio equipment all feed noise into the AC power line which results in distortion! Q: How does dirty power affect audio quality? A: With audio components, power line problems will result in: Compressed imaging and sound staging Increased background noise Unnatural tonality Grainy, gritty distortion Digital data loss and errors Reduced power output Q: How does dirty power affect my video system? A: With video components, power line noise causes problems you can see as: Video noise (grain, grit or snow) Hum-bars passing through the picture and letterbox fields Loss of contrast, definition and depth of field Unnatural color shifts and increased dot crawl in shadows Q: Where do I place a power filter? A: Locate a power filter anywhere that suits you, such as: In your equipment rack (Z Powerbar) On the floor behind your equipment (Z Strip; Z Stabilizer III) Flush mounted inside a wall junction box near your plasma or LCD (Z Stabilizer II) Even in tiny amounts, power line problems are interfering with the quality of the audio and video reproduction you have already paid for. Every piece of electronic equipment in your home adds to power line noise. These sources would include refrigerators, lights, computers, even air conditioning! 2

3 What's wrong with typical series filters? Most power-line treatment products depend upon series filters to correct AC line noise problems in the audio/video system. However, these series filters, unlike MIT s parallel filter system, have inherent flaws that make them ineffective at many vital frequencies for A/V use, causing them to add certain noise and distortions! Q: What problems are associated with typical series filters? A: Unlike MIT parallel filters, series filters: are ineffective at removing noise have inductors that create distortion products at audible frequencies reflect noise back into the circuit rather than directing it to ground for removal cause resonances that actually create noise at audible frequencies -8 Before Z Powerbar: Fig. One Power spectral density of the harmonics produced by a well known isolation transformer. Harmonics Reduction of the Z Powerbar -8 Fig. Two After Z Powerbar: Isolation Transformer of Figure above with Z Powerbar, which provides greatly lowered harmonic levels. A series filter operates by blocking, or rejecting certain types of noise. Imagine a series filter working by shutting a door in the face of noisy pollutants. What happens to the noise after the door is closed? Since noise is energy, it cannot be destroyed; it must be consumed to be removed. So, when a series filter blocks or rejects unwanted noise, it simply reflects the noise right back to the source. The noise has not been removed, only reflected. This type of filter cannot rid itself of noise, as the noise is continually reflected between the series filter and the source, again and again. This is yet another source of audible noise, inserted by the very device called upon to eliminate it! The Solution: Parallel AC filtering. The Z Series of power products from MIT uses patented parallel AC Filterpoles ; a tuned LCR technology. MIT Filterpole technology eliminates reflections by efficiently absorbing all forms of AC noise from the mains, and then converting it into harmless thermal heat. The result? Once the Z circuitry is working to clean, condition and protect your AV system, you will instantly enjoy blacker Example: blacks, better color saturation, and increased shadow detail; movie sound tracks will deliver dialog, Foley sounds and background music with theater-like quality. Because your audio system now has a lowered fp noise floor, you will have pinpoint audio image placement within a lifelike soundstage, all with clear and authoritative bass. Power Factor Correction: Stops Energy Waste MIT's Z Stabilizer circuitry also provides "PFC" (Power Factor Correction), by controlling the phase angle of the inbound AC sine wave for maximum efficiency. With PFC you will: use less energy for the same work prolong the life span of most electronic components never limit your current flow Clean power from MIT provides: Greater Clarity Increased Contrast Enhanced Dynamics Greater Depth of Field Better Imaging at All Volume Levels -4 Distortion Reduction Curve Fig. Three Z Series distortion reduction. The Z Stabilizer II has three filterpoles for video displays. 7 fp The Z Strip has 7 filterpoles for audio and video components. 24fp The Z Powerbar has 24 filterpoles over the broadest bandwidth for optimal performance! 3

4 MIT's Z Series A full line of products for clean AC power in any application. Standard Series Z-Cord (AC Power Cord) Z-Cord II (AC Power Cord) Custom Installation Series Z Duplex 15 and 20 The Z-Cord is a double shielded power cord for detachable cord sets (IEC type). It incorporates specially selected filters at each end to prevent RFI contamination, and component generated digital noise. Z-Cord uses dual-tuned ferrites and is effective to 500 KHz. Comes standard with NEMA 15A U.S. plug. The Z-Cord II provides double filtering, which removes more noise and distortion, and offers a second set of filters, filtering over a broader bandwidth. The Z Cord II is particularly effective for eliminating power line noise emitted from digital components. Comes standard with NEMA 15A U.S. plug Designed to be easily installed in new or existing wall outlet receptacles, the Z Duplex Series are the perfect solution for that newly installed or upgraded home theater. The Z Duplex 15 SKUs: ZDUP15; ZDUP20 and 20 use three patented, parallel tuned filters engineered to remove common mode and differential mode noise from any Hz AC power line. Z Duplex 20 Super SKU: ZCORD SKU: ZCORD2 The Z Duplex 20 Super uses Six patented, parallel tuned 6 fp filters operating over the widest frequency range, engineered to remove noise from any Hz AC power line. Unlike the common series filter, the Z Duplex 20 Super SKU: ZDUP20-SUPER will not limit dynamics, or reflect noise back at the source (amp, etc.). The Super also provides power factor correction for perfect energy transfer and improved service life. fp Technology Series Shotgun Z III SKU: SGZIII Magnum Z III SKU: MAGZIII High End Series Shotgun Z Trap Universal AC Filter The Shotgun Z III is a quality foil-shielded power cord using pure copper conductors. 110V 250V; 20 amp. UL/CSA/FT4 listed. This premium quality power cable features 3X12 AWG OCC (Ohno continuous cast) copper conductors for lowest resistance over distance. Uses three separate conductors with TPE (Teflon ) dielectric (Red, Green, Black). CL/3 and FT/4 rated for conformity to international fire regulations. The Shotgun Z Trap offers a modified version of the fp famous Z-Stabilizer with 3 Filterpoles, optimized for the most common frequencies near the ideal 50/60 Hz. Quality foilshielded cord uses pure copper SKU: SGZTRAP conductors and is 100% shielded. Use with any standard IEC power cord, in any country! Magnum Z Trap Universal AC Filter SKU: MAGZTRAP Perfect for use with Shotgun Z Trap! Perfect for use with Magnum Z Trap! 6 fp The Magnum Z Trap features 11ga. ultra-pure OCC (continuous cast) pure copper conductors as the basis for this remarkable design. Double shielded for field coupled noise rejection. MIT (patented) Z Series circuits, including parallel AC noise sinks, are employed to trap and dissipate AC noise. Use with any standard IEC power cord, in any country! 4

5 Reference Series Oracle Z III The Oracle Z III features proprietary 24 hand wound cable with perhaps the best measurable performance of any nonnetworked AC cable on the market today. This unique winding topology combined with the highest quality silver-clad conductors and the finest dielectrics results SKU: ZCORD3 in an AC power cable with a dielectric constant that is more than 25% lower than Teflon! The result is a cable that exhibits an extremely low noise floor and reduces dielectric distortions to well below the audible level. The benefits of this attention to detail are greatly improved dynamic contrasts, improved low level detail, and proper image localization and stability. Z Strip 3 MIT Filterpole Technology FILTERPOLE TECHNOLOGY The Z Strip provides all of the patented protection and improvements 24fp to your audio 7 fp and video systems as the Z Stabilizer III HG above, with the addition of 4 more hospital grade SKU: ZSTRIP audiophile type outlets and 2 Digital isolated outlets. The digital outlets isolate digital components from the analog components and further eliminate digital noise insertion from connected components such as a CD or a DVD player. Save money & maximize performance with a Z Strip & all Shotgun Z IIIs or Magnum Z IIIs! 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed or your Money Back! fp For audio: improved dimensionality, better detail and improved dynamic contrast. Surge and spike protection for noise-free A/V performance and improved service life. Designed to fit in standard electrical receptacles. Perfect for installation behind a wall-mounted display! Rack Mount Series Z Powerbar MIT Filterpole Technology The Z Powerbar: FILTERPOLE TECHNOLOGY Multiple patented, parallel fp 24fp tuned filters operating over the widest bandwidth, engineered to remove noise from your AC power fp line. fp fp SKU: POWERBAR 3 Hospital Grade, audiophile type duplex outlets (grey) with patented Stabilizer circuitry (US version). 1 Digital isolated Hospital Grade duplex (orange): isolates digital components from the analog components and further eliminate digital noise insertion 24 from fp connected components, 7fp such as fp a CD or DVD player. 1 Hospital Grade duplex outlet (red): to indicate power is always on. PFC (Power Factor Correction): reduces transmission losses and improves voltage regulation. Surge and spike protection: for noise-free A/V performance and improved service life. 15 amp breaker with reset switch. Satellite/cable/telephone protection circuits. -8 Excellent for silent AV power distribution near fluorescent Fig. Onelights and low voltage lighting. Flat Screen Series Z Stabilizer II The Z Stabilizer II provides: Multiple, patented, parallel tuned filters operating fp over the widest frequency range, engineered to remove noise from your Hz AC power SKU: CI-ZSII-IW line. Unlike series filters, the Z Stabilizer II will not limit dynamics. Includes PFC. Elimination of common mode and differential mode noise. For video: reduced noise results in improved black levels & color saturation, and improves overall realism and depth. -8 Before Z Powerbar: Fig. One Power spectral density of the harmonics produced by a well known isolation transformer. -8 Fig. Two After Z Powerbar: Isolation Transformer of Figure above with Z Powerbar, which provides greatly lowered harmonic levels. -8 Fig. Two 5

6 Other related literature: Copyright 1995; 1996 Music Interface Technologies All rights reserved. For further information, call 916/ Fax 916/ Power-line Noise: How Series Filters Work (AND WHY THEY DON T ALWAYS) Most power-line treatment products depend upon series filters to correct AC line noise problems in the audio/video system. However, these series filters, unlike MIT s parallel filter system, have inherent flaws that make them ineffective at many vital frequencies in A/V use, and cause them to add more noise and distortions than they remove. In this paper, we will explain how: U series-filter noise rejection is ineffective in real-world systems series inductors create distortion products at audible frequencies noise that is supposed to go to ground is fed back into the circuit safety issues require the use of inadequate capacitance to reduce noise series-filter resonances actually create noise at audible frequencies tility power-line related noise, as most of us know, affects the audible performance of our audio & video systems. The primary means of reducing noise in the audio equipment s circuits is passive AC line filtering placed in series with the AC utility line. Over the years, increased use of electronic filtering and regulation of DC power supplies have also helped isolate the powerline noise from amplifying circuits. Improved grounding techniques within the chassis (e.g., "star grounding" - please see Glossary, page 6) and from chassis to chassis have improved audio system noise performance. These "line" filters are composed of inductor (L) and capacitor (C) networks placed in series between the AC line and the audio equipment. However, depending on how the noise is coupled to the power line, a great deal remains to be done to remove its effects from our systems. Hey! Where Does This Utility Line Noise Come From, Anyway? Power-line noise can come from a number of sources. These sources determine the type of noise and ultimately how it is removed. Noise that is coupled directly through the power-line conductors or wires by other equipment on the line is known as conduction-mode noise coupling. This mode is caused by equipment such as electric motors, arc welders, power supply switching circuits (found in computers, Power-line Noise: How Series Filters Work Utility power-line related noise, as most of us know, affects the audible performance of our audio & video systems. The primary means of reducing noise in the audio equipment s circuits is passive AC line filtering placed in series with the AC utility line. Over the years, increased use of electronic filtering and regulation of DC power supplies have also helped isolate the power-line noise from amplifying circuits. Improved grounding techniques within the chassis (e.g., "star grounding" - please see Glossary, page 6) and from chassis to chassis have improved audio system noise performance. These "line" filters are composed of inductor (L) and capacitor (C) networks placed in series between the AC line and the audio equipment. However, depending on how the noise is coupled to the power line, a great deal remains to be done to remove its effects from our systems... To download a PDF version of this publication, please visit the MIT web site at technical/white papers. F A C T S H E E T a Program of the U.S. Department of Energy REDUCING POWER FACTOR COST Low power factor is expensive and inefficient. Many utility companies charge you an additional fee if your power factor is less than Low power factor also reduces your electrical system s distribution capacity by increasing current flow and causing voltage drops. This fact sheet describes power factor and explains how you can improve your power factor to reduce electric bills and enhance your electrical system s capacity. What is Power Factor? Understanding Power Factor Low power factor is expensive and inefficient. Many utility companies charge you an additional fee if your power factor is less than Low power factor also reduces your electrical system s distribution capacity by increasing current flow and causing voltage drops. To understand power factor, visualize a horse pulling a railroad car down a railroad track... Working (real) power Total (apparent) power Direction of travel Nonworking (reactive) power To download a PDF version of this publication, please visit the U.S. Dept. of Energy web site at and search for document number: GO To understand power factor, visualize a horse pulling a railroad car down a railroad track. Because the railroad ties are uneven, the horse must pull the car from the side of the track. The horse is pulling the railroad car at an angle to the direction of the car s travel. The power required to move the car down the track is the working (real) power. The effort of the horse is the total (apparent) power. Because of the angle of the horse s pull, not all of the horse s effort is used to move the car down the track. The car will not move sideways; therefore, the sideways pull of the horse is wasted effort or nonworking (reactive) power. The angle of the horse s pull is related to power factor, which is defined as the ratio of real (working) power to apparent (total) power. If the horse is led closer to the center of the track, the angle of side pull decreases and the real power approaches the value of the apparent power. Therefore, the ratio of real power to apparent power (the power factor) approaches 1. As the power factor approaches 1, the reactive (nonworking) power approaches 0. Power Factor = Real Power Apparent Power The energy savings network Plug into it! DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY U NITE D STAT ES OF AMERICA 6

7 Room 1 Equipment Inventory and Worksheet: Component AC Product Length Quantity Example: Rowland Amps Z-Cord 2 m 2 Room 2 Room 3 AC Checklist: Item Description MSRP Quantity Extended Z-Cord Double shielded AC power cord $ Z-Cord II Double filtered, double shielded AC power cord $ Z Duplex 15 Duplex 15 amp AC receptacle with 3 tuned Filterpoles $ Z Duplex 20 Duplex 20 amp AC receptacle with 3 tuned Filterpoles $ Z Duplex 20 Super Duplex 20 amp AC receptacle with 6 tuned Filterpoles and surge and spike protection $ Shotgun Z III Non-networked shielded power cord using 6-nines pure copper conductors $ Magnum Z III Non-networked premium shielded power cord using OCC pure copper conductors $ Shotgun Z Trap Modular power filter uses Z Stabilizer circuitry with 3 Filterpoles $ Magnum Z Trap Modular power filter uses OCC conductors & Z Stabilizer circuitry with 6 Filterpoles $ Oracle Z III Reference level non-networked AC power cord with highest quality dielectrics $ Z Strip AC Power Conditioner with Z circuitry, 6 hospital-grade outlets and digital iso outlets $ Z Stabilizer II In-wall power conditioner with 3 Filterpoles & surge and spike protection $ Z Powerbar Reference level power conditioner with 24 Filterpoles and isolated digital circuits $ 7

8 Q: What are MIT Filterpoles? A: Poles of Attenuation (as referenced in The Impedance Domain)* A properly built AC filter will not only attenuate unwanted noise on the AC power line, but it will also FILTERPOLE TECHNOLOGY optimize the power factor. The best way to attenuate unwanted noise is to create a very low impedance (a zero of impedance across the load which acts as an attenuation pole to the noise) surrounding the frequency (or frequencies) of the undesirable noise. In the case of audio, that would be at any frequency other than the power line frequency. This is best accomplished by placing a tuned circuit in parallel, around the load. MIT was awarded this patent in November 9, 1993: number 5,260,862. Also important is the Power Factor which is a (dimensionless) number between 0 and 1. When power factor is equal to 0, the energy flow is entirely reactive, and stored energy in the load returns to the source on each cycle. When the power factor is 1, all the energy supplied by the source is consumed by the load and nothing is reflected back to the source. MIT was awarded a patent on this technology regarding audio in July 13, 1993: number 5,227,962. *for additional in-depth information, please refer to MIT Technical Note 101: Transportable Power in Audio Cables: Energy Storage Elements and the Power Factor, available in PDF format on the MIT website reference library at Music Interface Technologies MIT products are manufactured and sold by CVTL, Inc Citrus Ave #9, Rocklin, CA, USA Phone: 916/ Fax: 916/ CVTL, Inc. All rights reserved All products using Z circuitry are protected by US Patents 5, 227,962, 5,260,862 and 5,920,468. Other patents pending. MIT Z Series products are manufactured and sold by CVTL, Inc Doc: ZSeries_power_bro_b&m