Planning to buy an LCD TV? And do you want this rather expensive device to serve for a long time, without breakdowns and complaints? Then it is worth worrying about protecting it from external negative influences in advance and creating comfortable working conditions. In this case, the quality of power supply is of the greatest importance.
An LCD TV, like any other electrical appliance, is completely dependent on the stability of the voltage in the network. Power surges and voltage drops can interrupt the operation of sensitive electronic components or damage the power supply.
There is an opinion that modern TVs are not very susceptible to any voltage fluctuations and all the talk about the need to stabilize is just an advertising gimmick. Indeed, recent power supplies have a wide input voltage range. And in the conditions of a large metropolis, where the risk of encountering a poor quality of electricity is small, there is no need to fear the TV goes out of order. Although discomfort can be felt here. Minor seemingly deviations of the supply voltage negatively affect the quality of the video signal and sound. What can we say about holiday villages or rural areas, when due to the decay of equipment the voltage in the network can drop by 60-70 Volts. Money spent on a large diagonal and advanced technical specifications will be thrown into the wind. And the very performance of the TV will be a big question. Install equipment from damage, and the installation of a voltage regulator will allow yourself from unnecessary expenses for repairs.
SUNTEK PR Series Voltage Stabilizer A voltage stabilizer is a device designed to automatically correct and change the output voltage within a narrow range that is comfortable for connected equipment when the mains voltage changes. In the case of intense drops, the power supply is completely cut off, which helps to prevent burnout of devices.
The main characteristic of a voltage regulator is its power. It should be no less than the power consumption of the connected equipment, in this case the TV. For plasma or LCD models presented on the market today, this value ranges from 80-400 watts. You can find out exactly how much energy a particular TV consumes from a passport, instructions or any other documentation supplied with the device. This information is also usually applied to the nameplate - a special plate on the case where the model name, serial number and other technical data are indicated. Practice shows that a voltage regulator with a power of 500-1000 VA is most likely to be suitable for an LCD TV.
In addition to choosing power, another important point to pay attention to is the type of stabilizer. Currently, relay, electromechanical and thyristor stabilizers are most widely used. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.
Relay devices are the most affordable. They are characterized by a high response speed and resistance to overloads, which makes them optimal for use in networks where sudden power surges occur. SUNTEK relay stabilizers have a number of additional advantages, such as the ability to work in sub-zero temperatures, the presence of lightning protection, an extended input voltage range (LV series), and a universal housing (vertical or horizontal placement). The disadvantages of stabilizers of relay type include not the highest accuracy. The deviation of the output voltage from the nominal value is about 5-8%, which, in general, is not a big minus. The vast majority of household appliances, including LCD TVs, are designed to operate with a supply voltage of 220 V ± 10%.
The electromechanical type is characterized by greater accuracy (± 3%) and smooth voltage adjustment. It is more in demand when connecting particularly sensitive equipment. But there are also drawbacks: a system with mechanical components functions more slowly, and a current-collecting graphite brush, due to the movement of which a change in the output voltage occurs, eventually worsens and contaminates coil turns with graphite. The servo drive also wears out, that is, after several years of intensive operation, it is likely that the services of a service center will be required.
The thyristor (triac) type of devices has all the advantages of relay and electromechanical stabilizers. This is speed, and high accuracy of stabilization, and the absence of the need to conduct regular maintenance. In addition, thyristor stabilizers operate almost silently. But such models are much more expensive.
Sony KD-55XF900 TV with a diagonal of 54.6 "(139 cm). Power consumption - 245 W.
The TV does not have an electric motor, which means that complex calculations are not required. To determine the necessary power of the stabilizer, it is enough to add 30% to the power of the TV (reserve). We get: 319 watts. The value of the stabilizer must not be lower than this value. To determine the type of stabilizer and the desired input voltage range, it is necessary to study the parameters of the mains in the room where it will be used. This can be done using a conventional household multimeter (tester). Measurements are best done at different times of the day and on different days of the week.
Suppose that in our network in the evening and on weekends, the voltage drops to 170 Volts and periodically there are short-term sudden voltage drops of up to 130 Volts. Based on these data, we can conclude that a stabilizer with a wide input voltage range (the lower limit should be less than 130 V), with high speed and a rating of at least 319 watts are required.
Such stabilizers are SUNTEK PR 500 VA or SUNTEK 550 VA. Both models are relay-type stabilizers with an input voltage range of 120-285 Volts, simplified plug / socket connection, lightning protection and a convenient digital display. The PR series, unlike the classic line, is made in a compact plastic case and has 4 built-in sockets.