2. digital
  3. 179079-28080

Node failing, surges?

This is not bashing the product which I enjoy and have other units elsewhere. I have this unit in CO and after 11 mos it simply failed to power up anymore. It was replaced under warranty. Used the new one for 2 weeks and seems like the same issue where it simply shut off and that was it. There was some lightning the second time.

All the stereo electronics are hooked up thru Panamax Max 5100 power conditioner and surge protector. There was no pop, click or anythin when this unit powered off. All other components are fine and kept running. In fact in 20 years never had a power surge take anything out here. The only other thing I can think of it I have Ethernet hard wired into this node and that Ethernet switch is on a different surge protector device. So not clue if I could be a power surge, something thru Ethernet, or something else. 
 

I have started a ticket with bluesound but figured I would see if anyone had any ideas as besides the loss want to try to ensure it does not happen again. Thanks.

jbs

Showing 2 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,589 posts
 

Hey. So sometimes switching power supplies fail due to low incoming voltages. It’s an issue which has been mostly dealt with but may still happen. The issue is that a switching transistor must be on or off. That’s how it gets efficient and stays cool. If a long term low voltage situation arises the transisor may go into a linear state, not fully on or off.. and that’s the least efficient and most heat creating part of the curve.

Advanced power supplies like Furman and Panamax with low power disconnects can prevent this, but I’d be surprised if this happened. Most power supply makers are aware and have ways to prevent this issue from happening.

From what I've read, these situations often happen when power is being restored, or the power flickers, without actually surging.

erik_squires
16,589 posts
 

Use a power conditioner without joules.  Both Panamax and Furman (same parent company) have LiFT and SMP.  You want SMP enabled surge devices.  Anything with a joule rating is second tier stuff.

If your Ethernet cable is very long it might pick up an induced lightning strike.

There are a couple of suggestions:

If your network enters your home from coax, put a gas discharge coaxial protector on the outside of the home. On the inside use one of two things:

  • Ethernet/optical converters
  • Ethernet isolators (hospital grade)

I use two Ethernet/optical converters back to back to isolate my internal router from the cable modem. The Ethernet isolator ($45-$150) is used for particularly long Ethernet runs. Don’t use Ethernet surge protectors that need to be grounded. They tend to make the problem worse.

 

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