Furman Power Conditioner / Sequencer config

[geddon]

Hi all

This seemed the most appropriate place for this question, apologies if it’s not.

I’ve purchased a Furman 3600SE power conditioner / sequencer to drive all the audio gear in my rack.

I feel a bit daft but does anyone know if it can be configured so that when the main power switch is set to OFF, all the outlets and the unit itself will turn off? As far as I can see the On/off switch doesn’t do this and solely controls the power going to the sequenced outputs…. Meaning the only way to turn the Unit itself off… is by switching it off at the wall…. Unless I grossly misunderstand this unit.

Does anyone know?

Thanks

G

[Hugh Robjohns]

The answer is no. The clue is that the front and two rear outlets are identified as 'unswitched'' meaning they are always on while the unit is receiving power.

[geddon]

Yeah I feared the worst with that.

There is a cheaper (albeit newer) model called the PS-8RE III that appears to have a rocker switch that powers the panel and the 'switched' outlets. So much more convenient as you'd just flick it off at the rocker without having to go to the wall socket every time you're finished.

With the 3600 being a more expensive model, I thought perhaps there'd be a configuration of dipswitches that could potentially make it function as I desire, but it would appear not?

[resistorman]

Is there a particular reason you want to turn the unit off?

[Lizardpoint]

I would imagine it would simply be a minor internal wiring change to make it do what you want.
Just a thought….
Dave

[geddon]

Is there a particular reason you want to turn the unit off?

Because it’s drawing power when I’m not using it otherwise.

And the wall socket it’s plugged into is behind a small cabinet so not the easiest to access.

I’d hoped I could do it all from the front panel of this unit

[geddon]

I would imagine it would simply be a minor internal wiring change to make it do what you want.
Just a thought….
Dave

You reckon an electrician could sort that for me? That would be perfect if it could be wired so OFF was entirely OFF

[Hugh Robjohns]

It would be a lot easier just to run one or two plug boards from the switched outlets, surely? Just make sure that the total power load on each board is less than the rating for each switched outlet.

[geddon]

True, but still means walking to that side of the room after every session to turn it off.

I’d rather be able to just turn everything off at the desk, and leave the room lol. As lazy as that sounds. It is a very large room.

[Hugh Robjohns]

True, but still means walking to that side of the room after every session to turn it off.

I meant run plug boards from the Furman's switched sockets....

[geddon]

True, but still means walking to that side of the room after every session to turn it off.

I meant run plug boards from the Furman's switched sockets....

Oh lol.

But then I’ve still got the problem of I can’t turn off the furman panel itself when I’m finished with the session without returning to the wall where it’s plugged in…. Otherwise it’s wasting energy by leaving it on. Price of electricity is at a record high here in the UK, so keen on avoiding this 24/7

The devices that are plugged into the furman I’m fine with. I can control them from the furman and solely use the sequenced outputs with splitters. Avoiding the unswitched outputs altogether

But even wirh all the devices turned OFF….the panel still draws power unless I turn it off at the wall.

[James Perrett]

Maybe you could plug the Furman into a switched extension lead or distribution board. I use an Olson switched distribution board for my home setup which works well. This looks interesting

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/product ... ounted-pdu

because it gives you 8 outputs in a small space. In my experience, Olson products are well engineered and possibly more applicable to UK studios than the Furman products (although it doesn't do sequencing). The earth bonding terminal looks useful for people who have noise issues with double insulated gear.

[BWC]

But then I’ve still got the problem of I can’t turn off the furman panel itself when I’m finished with the session without returning to the wall where it’s plugged in….

https://www.etekcity.com/products/remot ... t-zap-1l-s

I have an older version with five separate outlets switched from one remote, been working great for many years now. I know that's the US version, but that's what I have, and I know there are versions available for elsewhere.

[Hugh Robjohns]

But then I’ve still got the problem of I can’t turn off the furman panel itself when I’m finished with the session without returning to the wall where it’s plugged in….

Huh? I thought the issue was that you didn't have enough switched outlets....

But even wirh all the devices turned OFF….the panel still draws power unless I turn it off at the wall.

Because of the remote control features, the panel's electronics have to remain powered and consume 10Watts. There's no way around that. If that's a problem then you've really bought the wrong unit to power your gear.

Maybe you'd be better off with a simple manual switch panel like this one:

Transcension PC 08 Effects Switch Panel https://amzn.eu/d/dVY3sv3

[geddon]

Maybe you could plug the Furman into a switched extension lead or distribution board. I use an Olson switched distribution board for my home setup which works well. This looks interesting

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/product ... ounted-pdu

because it gives you 8 outputs in a small space. In my experience, Olson products are well engineered and possibly more applicable to UK studios than the Furman products (although it doesn't do sequencing). The earth bonding terminal looks useful for people who have noise issues with double insulated gear.

Yeah that could work. I looked at these before I stumbled on power conditioners. But swerved the because all the outlets appear to be front mounted. I wanted them all on the rear hidden within the desk, for reasons of sightlyness / cable management.

Also as the Furman 3600 is 16A MAX (and comes with a special c14 to three pin plug power cable…. I’ve just assumed it’d be better running it directly from a wall socket (13A) rather than via an intermediary extender / board ?

[Wonks]

C19, not C14.

[Hugh Robjohns]

For general information, the IEC standard naming convention for mains 'couplers' uses an odd number for the cable (female) socket, and an even number for the chassis (male) plug.

So the standard (10A) IEC cable connector is the C13 and it plugs into a C14 on the equipment.

Similarly, the (16A) C19 cable connector plugs into a C20 chassis plug on the equipment.

[James Perrett]

Yeah that could work. I looked at these before I stumbled on power conditioners. But swerved the because all the outlets appear to be front mounted. I wanted them all on the rear hidden within the desk, for reasons of sightlyness / cable management.

Also as the Furman 3600 is 16A MAX (and comes with a special c14 to three pin plug power cable…. I’ve just assumed it’d be better running it directly from a wall socket (13A) rather than via an intermediary extender / board ?

Normally those Olson distribution boards are mounted on the rear of a 19" rack so all the cabling is out of sight.

It isn't safe to draw 16A from a 13A socket*. Furman gear is designed for the US market where their power supply conventions are very different to the UK. If you really want to draw 16A then you need one of these

https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/pelb01 ... 6a%20plugs

and the matching wall socket.

However, in the UK, C13 and C14 connectors are only rated to 10 amps so you should take no notice of Furman's rating which is another area were US and UK standards differ. It seems that the US are prepared to accept a greater fire risk from these connectors than the UK.

*In fact it often isn't safe to draw 13A from a 13A socket with the quality of plugs/sockets these days which is one of the reasons that many appliances tend to be rated around 2kW now rather than the 3kW rating of older appliances.

[geddon]

For general information, the IEC standard naming convention for mains 'couplers' uses an odd number for the cable (female) socket, and an even number for the chassis (male) plug.

So the standard (10A) IEC cable connector is the C13 and it plugs into a C14 on the equipment.

Similarly, the (16A) C19 cable connector plugs into a C20 chassis plug on the equipment.

Thanks, yeah my bad. It’s a C19 to 3 pin plug that comes with the Furman 3600

[geddon]

Yeah that could work. I looked at these before I stumbled on power conditioners. But swerved the because all the outlets appear to be front mounted. I wanted them all on the rear hidden within the desk, for reasons of sightlyness / cable management.

Also as the Furman 3600 is 16A MAX (and comes with a special c14 to three pin plug power cable…. I’ve just assumed it’d be better running it directly from a wall socket (13A) rather than via an intermediary extender / board ?

Normally those Olson distribution boards are mounted on the rear of a 19" rack so all the cabling is out of sight.

It isn't safe to draw 16A from a 13A socket*. Furman gear is designed for the US market where their power supply conventions are very different to the UK. If you really want to draw 16A then you need one of these

https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/pelb01 ... 6a%20plugs

and the matching wall socket.

However, in the UK, C13 and C14 connectors are only rated to 10 amps so you should take no notice of Furman's rating which is another area were US and UK standards differ. It seems that the US are prepared to accept a greater fire risk from these connectors than the UK.

*In fact it often isn't safe to draw 13A from a 13A socket with the quality of plugs/sockets these days which is one of the reasons that many appliances tend to be rated around 2kW now rather than the 3kW rating of older appliances.

Yeah I see. Well I’m only running 2 visual monitors, 2 powered audio monitors, 2 amp modellers / cab simulators (each with in built power amps, though I’d never have both modellers on at the same time) and a universal Apollo audio interface. From this furman 3600, I’d hazard a guess at about 1-1.5kw total.

My desktop Pc is from a different wall socket altogether to share the load a bit.

So can I still use the 3600 with its C19 power cord into a 13a wall socket given the load outlined above?

[James Perrett]

So can I still use the 3600 with its C19 power cord into a 13a wall socket given the load outlined above?

Yes, assuming you have sensible sized audio monitors and not giant multi kilowatt soffit mounted monitors then you'll be fine.

[Hugh Robjohns]

My desktop Pc is from a different wall socket altogether to share the load a bit.

A sure fire way of creating a ground loop. It is better to run all the studio gear from a single wall outlet (or wall dual outlet). That way, everything shares the same safety earth connection, minimising the risk of ground loop currents.

It's a very rare home studio that draws anywhere close to the 2.9kW capacity of a single wall outlet.

For peace of mind, just add up the load ratings for each device (listed on a data plate near the mains connection, and in the manuals).

[geddon]

So can I still use the 3600 with its C19 power cord into a 13a wall socket given the load outlined above?

Yes, assuming you have sensible sized audio monitors and not giant multi kilowatt soffit mounted monitors then you'll be fine.

No they’re just KRK Rokit 5’s… far as I can see just 100w each.

I think the idea of having a second rack mounted power board is a great shout, and running the furman off of that. I just need to find one that has all the outlets at the rear… or atleast hidden

[geddon]

My desktop Pc is from a different wall socket altogether to share the load a bit.

A sure fire way of creating a ground loop. It is better to run all the studio gear from a single wall outlet (or wall dual outlet). That way, everything shares the same safety earth connection, minimising the risk of ground loop currents.

It's a very rare home studio that draws anywhere close to the 2.9kW capacity of a single wall outlet.

For peace of mind, just add up the load ratings for each device (listed on a data plate near the mains connection, and in the manuals).

Good advice thanks. It’s definitely nowhere near the 2.9kw capacity. If half that.

Just when reading the back of that Furman where it said max 16A… and the C19 beefy lead made me wonder how appropriate that was for plugging into a wall socket with a notably lower max 13a

[Wonks]

It's fine. There's nothing about the plug and lead itself that will make it draw more current - just the load powered through the Furman.