| The 15 amp AR-1215 AC Line Voltage Regulator is intended to protect
audio, video, computer and other electronic equipment from problems
caused by AC line voltage irregularities-sags, brownouts, or
overvoltages that can cause sensitive digital equipment to malfunction,
or, in extreme cases, to sustain damage.
The AR-1215 is designed to provide a steady, stable 120 VAC output.
It accepts any input voltage from 97V to 141V and transforms it to a
constant 120V, ﾱ5V. Voltages beyond that range may also be converted to
usable levels, depending on how far out of range they are. The AR-1215
can handle loads totaling up to 15 amps as long as the input voltage is
above 124 volts. For voltages below that level, its capacity must be
derated at approximately .15 ampere per volt.
The AR-1215 has been designed specifically with the unique needs of
audio and video in mind. Its technology differs from that of
computer-oriented voltage regulators in many important ways.
For Example:
The AR-1215 does not use a ferro-resonant transformer, which would be
heavy and bulky, radiate a large magnetic field, and be too
frequency-sensitive to be usable with generators. Instead, it uses a use
a design based on an eight-tap toroidal autoformer. The toroidal design
assures minimal leakage of stray magnetic fields.
The AR-1215 circuitry monitors the incoming line voltage with each
cycle, comparing it to an extremely precise voltage reference, accurate
to ﾱ0.15%. If a voltage fluctuation requires that a different tap be
selected, the new tap is electronically switched exactly at the
zero-crossing, to avoid distorting the AC waveform. (Most commercial
voltage regulators using multiple-tapped transformers switch taps at
uncontrolled times, thereby creating voltage spikes, and often creating
clicks that can leak into the audio.) Hysteresis of 1.5V in the
switching circuits avoids ﾓchatter." The design is not sensitive to
small errors in line frequency, making them ideal for use with
generators.
The AR-1215 also features power conditioning that is truly in a class
by itself, thanks to the quantity, quality and configuration of the
overvoltage suppression devices used. These include MOV's, high voltage
inductors and capacitors, and precise high-inrush magnetic circuit
breakers. This unique combination can safely divert large spikes as well
as filter audible high frequency noise.
An additional feature, Extreme Voltage Shutdown, senses dangerously
high or low voltages and shuts down the output before any damage is
done. The output remains off until the overvoltage or undervoltage is
removed, with an LED indicating the shutdown condition. This invaluable
feature provides positive protection to your equipment from accidental
connection to incorrect line voltages (for example, 220V when 120V is
expected-- a not uncommon hazard in the entertainment industries.)
The AR-1215 has eight outlets on the rear panel, and one on the front
panel. All outlets are regulated, spike-suppressed, and filtered against
RFI with a 3-pole filter. There are no controls except the circuit
breaker/on-off switch. A bar-graph meter comprised of 10 LED's indicates
input voltage, while another LED indicates "In Regulation" status (i.e.,
that the output voltage is within ﾱ5V of 120V.) The unit is housed in a
compact, single-space rack-mount chassis, 1.75" high and 8" deep and
weighs only 12 lbs. |