Let’s start with power demand and quality…
The electrical load in a home today is much different than it was for past generations. Today’s homes have so many more devices to power like computers and printers, chargers for wireless devices, modems, routers and home networking devices, telephones, televisions and cable boxes, dimmers and lights (low voltage, LED, incandescent and fluorescent), small and large appliances, air conditioning systems, in floor heating systems, and on and on…The sheer number of new electronic devices that are being used today is staggering and they are all connected to an electrical grid that was designed and engineered decades ago.
Every electronic device emits electrical noise that can be picked up and transmitted through electrical circuits in your home. All of this devices combine to create a noise floor within the electrical environment of your home. However, it is not just your electronic devices and appliances that add to the noise floor…your electrical service is likely to be connected in parallel with many of your neighbor’s, so you are subject to electrical noise that is present throughout your neighborhood. There is an ever-increasing problem of power line noise pollution that is present in virtually every home, and it is only getting worse.
There are two types of noise that exist on the power line …
1. Differential mode noise: Noise that is conducted on the hot and ground line in opposite direction to each other.
2. Common mode noise: Noise that is conducted on all lines in the same direction.
When it comes to audio, video, and control systems, noise is the enemy. Power line noise can cause poor performance in audio and video systems, and can even contribute to reliability issues for electronic components that use sensitive microprocessors.
Power conditioning products and noise filters are widely used to reduce noise that is present on the electrical lines and improve the quality of power that is being delivered to various electrical components like audio/video and home technology systems. It is widely accepted within the home technology industry that providing a clean, stable power foundation for audio, video and control systems is a must, but there are many ways to try to accomplish this…
Torus Power is purpose built for today’s high performance audio video systems.
Torus Power Toroidal Isolation transformers are designed specifically for use with audio, video, and control systems. The purpose of using an isolation transformer in audio video applications is to provide the best possible operating environment, free from noise and interference that ultimately strangles the dynamics and does not allow a system to reach its best performance.
With a Torus Power isolation transformer, your audio system will come alive with more dynamics, improved imaging, and cleaner, enhanced bass performance. Video will be crisper with darker blacks and brighter, more vivid colors.
Torus Power uses a toroidal core with special insulation between the primary and secondary copper windings to isolate the transfer of electrical power.
By isolating the transfer of electrical power from the main power source, Torus Power blocks electrical noise and interference that degrades performance and provides increased dynamic capability to dramatically improve the overall system performance.
Torus Power isolation transformers eliminate electrical noise caused by sources such as motors, lights, appliances and dimmers commonly found in the home environment. Providing power to your system from a Torus Power isolation transformer is infinitely superior to using wall power that is increasingly polluted and noisy.
There are many benefits derived from using Torus Power isolation transformers…
1. Cleaner power provides cleaner sound & pictures:
Noise floor is a measurement of the signal created by the sum of all the noise sources and unwanted signals that cover or “mask” audio & video signals. The best possible performance in audio & video systems can only be achieved when the noise floor is lower than the amplitude of the audio & video signal.
Torus Power uses Plitron’s patented NBT noise filtering technology to remove electrical noise and interference that is present on AC lines without using external circuits or components that can restrict high performance audio & video signals.
In the simplest of terms, NBT filters out noise and interference that is present on the power line and allows the pure AC to flow through to your components. This means that the system will have the lowest possible noise floor and best performance. Audio will come alive with improved imaging and clarity and the soundstage becomes larger and more dynamic. Video is crisper with brighter color fidelity and darker blacks.
“Torus Power greatly enhanced subtle details of tone, timbre and imaging. Removing the Torus Power unit shrank the soundstage making my system flatter and less detailed. I highly recommend Torus Power to increase any serious audiophile system’s power of musical resolution and imaging.” Larry Greenhill | Stereophile magazine
“Torus Power units were lowering the noise floor of the entire system into non existence…Highly recommended!” Jeff Fritz | Editor-in-Chief, The Soundstage
2. Dynamic Power means superior performance for audio and video:
Dynamic power in audio/video refers to the system’s ability to reproduce the very largest and most demanding music passages and video images. Music is very dynamic when there are many instruments playing at the same time, and when the frequency ranges from low bass to vocals and other instruments that play at different pitches and levels of intensity and volume. Images are dynamic when there are many colors and frequent changes of intensity and motion. If a system is constrained by voltage issues then it will become distorted and unpleasant. Video becomes grainy and pixilated.
Torus Power units provide astounding dynamic capability to systems by delivering high instantaneous current on demand. Torus Power units present very low impedance to connected electronics. A 20A Torus Power isolation transformer has an output impedance of 0.2 ohms and can deliver 400 amp peak instantaneous current. The Torus Power transformer acts as an energy reservoir when dynamic power is required.
A typical 200-watt audio amplifier demands 10 amps RMS current from a 120-volt line (1200 VA) but may demand up to 50 amp instantaneous peaks. The standard residential wall outlet can’t supply the 50 amp peaks because it typically has a higher nominal impedance. A Torus Power 20 amp isolation transformer plugged into the same wall outlet can easily supply these peak current demands.
3. Superior protection against damaging power surges:
Torus Power protects connected equipment with innovative Series Mode Surge Suppression (SMSS) while also restoring the incoming power to its original, clean state. Most surge protection circuits are shunt mode circuits that allow excessive voltages to be shunted to ground which raises ground voltage and may contaminate audio video signals. Torus Power’s design absorbs surges more than 2 volts above peak line voltage so ground is not contaminated. Torus Power’s surge suppression meets IEEE endurance standards of 6000 volts, 3000 amps, with 1000 repeats.
Torus Power further innovates by using the Toroidal Isolation transformer to replace the series inductor typically used by other brands. This ensures extremely low stray magnetic fields within the chassis.
4. Automatic Voltage Regulation provides the ultimate protection and reliability:
Voltage fluctuations stress electronic equipment and can easily cause sensitive equipment to operate unreliably or even fail. Torus Power automatic voltage regulation (AVR) technology eliminates these problems by providing pure, stable voltage to the connected equipment to ensure reliable operation.
AVR technology continually monitors incoming voltage to detect high and low voltage conditions and instantly triggers compensating circuitry to ensure consistent voltage to connected equipment.
Torus Power AVR models use a microprocessor to monitor and control the voltage, seamlessly switching the multi-tapped toroidal transformer to the correct setting. Torus Power AVR units accept input voltage from 85V to 135V and regulate the output to a consistent 120V +/-5V. The Torus Power AVR unit displays input voltage, output voltage, and current draw in real-time as well as displaying fault conditions. Torus Power AVR models will automatically shut down when voltage exceeds 135V or drops below 85V and resume normal operation when voltage returns to a safe operating range.
Why does your system need Automatic Voltage Regulation?
Under ideal conditions, your equipment will operate within the normal tolerance of the line voltage. In reality however, the power supplied to most areas is less than ideal due to outdated power grids. In most areas, the power regularly drops or rises beyond the acceptable range (in North America +/– 5V, Europe/Asia/Australia +/- 10V).
These voltage sags, brownouts, and surges can stress components and shorten equipment life. In the worst case, voltage fluctuations can even destroy valuable equipment. In such real-world conditions, the Torus Power AVR protects your equipment, stabilizes the line voltage, and improves the quality and enjoyment of your audio and video experience.
Summary
Using a Torus Power isolation transformer with NBT technology, Series Mode Surge protection, and Automatic Voltage Regulation provides the very highest level of performance and protection that is available. Instead of using external filters, Torus Power uses a Toroidal Isolation transformer to electrically isolate the audio video system from the incoming voltage line and provide the finest power foundation available. Other, less expensive solutions try to solve some of the issues discussed, but only Torus Power effectively provides this complete foundation of performance and protection for audio, video and control systems.