Furman PL8, PL PLUS User Manual

PL-8/PL-PLUS POWER CONDITIONER

PL-8
PL-PLUS

POWER CONDITIONER
AND LIGHT MODULE

15 AMP SERIES

PL-8/PL-PLUS POWER CONDITIONER

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PL-8/PL-PLUS POWER CONDITIONER

PL-8

PL-8 FEATURES

 Two slide-out, swiveling light x-

tures for rack illumination

 Eight accessory outlets in rear,

controlled by a front panel switch

 Triple mode varistor spike and

surge protection

 RFI / EMI ltering

 Circuit breaker, 15-amp rating

 Dimmer control for lamp bright-

ness

 Separate switch for lamps

 Ten-foot, heavy duty 14-gauge AC

cord

PL-PLUS FEATURES

 All PL-8 features, plus…

 Line Voltage monitor reads 90 to

128 Volts

 High performance RFI/EMI noise

lter

The Furman PL-8 and PL-PLUS Power

Conditioners and Light Modules are the
perfect accessory for any rack-mount
system. lnstall a PL-8 in the top slot
of your rack, and the eight switched
AC outlets on the rear panel will power
up all your equipment while its two
slide-out light xtures provide discreet
illumination of the controls on stages,
in studios, and in other dark places. A
dimmer control lets you adjust the lamp
brightness to just the right level.

The PL-8 protects your delicate

electronic equipment by combining
a high-voltage surge and transient
suppressor with an RFI/EMI
interference lter. The fast-acting
suppression circuit responds in
less than a nanosecond, clamping
transient voltages to safe levels. The
peak clamping voltage is 340 VAC,
effective for spikes on any of the three
AC conductors, and the clamping
circuitry can absorb a total of up to 240
Joules. These specications indicate
a very high degree of protection when
compared with competitive products.

The lter works to prevent noise from

uorescent lights, dimmers, radio
transmitters, and similar sources of

“electronic pollution” from contaminating

the AC line and from there, leaking

PL-8/PL-PLUS POWER CONDITIONER

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into sensitive audio, video or computer
circuits.

The eight circuit-breaker protected

outlets are rated at 15 amps. If the total
load on the PL-8 (combining all outlets)
exceeds 15 amps, the circuit breaker
will trip, cutting off power to your rack.

If this occurs, reduce the load by
unplugging one or more units from the
PL-8. Then push the black button on
the circuit breaker (on the front panel)
down and in to reset it.

The PL-8’s lamps come supplied

with ve-watt night-light bulbs.
Replacements are readily available
at most hardware stores or almost
anywhere household light bulbs are

Light Switch

sold. Bulbs are easily replaced without
removing the unit from the rack by
unscrewing the cap on the end of each
light tube. The caps and light tubes
become quite warm to the touch in
normal operation. To avoid burning
your ngers, allow the cap to cool
completely before unscrewing it. Be
careful not to push the tubes in while
the caps are unscrewed.

If you nd that the heat from the tubes
is excessive, try reducing the setting of
the dimmer knob. As an alternative, you
may wish to substitute four-watt bulbs
or even colored Christmas tree bulbs.

The PL-8 has a master switch for the

rear outlets which lights up when the

Circuit Breaker

Dimmer Switch

Rack Lights

Power Switch

8 Switched Outlets

PL-8/PL-PLUS POWER CONDITIONER

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PL-8/PL-PLUS POWER CONDITIONER

power is on. There is also a separate
switch for the lamps, allowing you
to check your rack’s settings before
applying power to it. The lights do not
turn off automatically when the tubes
are pushed in, so be sure to use the
switch.

PL-PLUS

Model PL-PLUS is an enhanced
version of the PL-8. Its front panel
provides a handy display of AC line
voltage by means of a 20 LED bar­graph meter, reading from 90 to 128

Volts in two-volt steps. The normal

range voltages are indicated in green,
with moderate and extremely high
or low voltages in yellow and red
respectively. Note that the LED meter
continues to read even when the
master switch is off. This was done

purposely to allow you to check the
voltage before powering up. The LEDs
are designed for continuous, ongoing
use. They consume little power, just
a few cents worth per month, much

like a clock. The PL-PLUS features

15 amp capacity, as well as a more

sophisticated RFI lter network with a

greatly improved capacity for stopping

line noise. This lter is a low-pass type,

composed of high-voltage capacitors
and an inductor. It passes the low (50

or 60 Hz) line frequency while rejecting
high frequencies, with maximum
attenuation in the region from 1 to 100
MHz. The PL-PLUS’ voltmeter has a

basic accuracy of +/- 2 volts, (extreme

cold or heat may cause an additional

one volt of error). Should the voltage
reading ever become inaccurate, it can

be easily recalibrated by a qualied

service technician.

Light Switch

Dimmer Switch

Voltmeter

Rack Lights

8 Switched Outlets

Circuit Breaker

Power Switch

PL-8/PL-PLUS POWER CONDITIONER

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Please note that the voltage reading is
advisory only. The PL-PLUS does not
compensate for high or low line voltage.
If you frequently move your rack to
different locations, derive power from
generators, use long extension cords,
travel internationally or are in an area
prone to brownouts, you may benet
from the use of one of Furman’s AR
Series AC Line Voltage Regulators.

220/240 VOLT VERSIONS
(“E” SUFFIX)

Versions of the PL-8 and PL-PLUS

with the “E” sufx are intended for use
in countries with nominal 220 to 240

volt AC lines. These units have 10 rear

panel outlets, using the internationally
accepted IEC-320 connectors, and are
rated at 10 amps. The voltmeter on the
PL-PLUS E reads from 180 to 256 volts

AC.

EFFECTS OF LIGHTNING AND
INCORRECT VOLTAGES

Lightning presents the most difcult
circumstance faced by power
protection products. The degree of
protection a PL-8 or PL-PLUS unit can

offer depends on the intensity of the
strike. If lightning strikes a distant power
line and causes a relatively small
disturbance to reach your location, the
spike suppressors in the PL unit will
absorb the excess voltage invisibly and
harmlessly. However, if lightning strikes
the actual building where the PL unit
is installed (or somewhere nearby),
some damage may be unavoidable
due to the extremely high voltage and
current present. If this does occur, the
damage, most likely, will be limited to
the PL unit itself and will affect only the
spike suppression components (called
varistors or MOV’s.) In this “suicide”
mode, the PL unit will sustain minor
damage to itself. However, it generally
will protect all equipment plugged into
it from much more serious and costly
damage as long as that equipment is
properly grounded. Proper grounding
requires the use of three-prong AC
cords and that the outlets themselves
are actually grounded (as specied by
electrical codes).

Any PL unit known to have taken a
direct lightning hit should be checked
by a qualied technician or Furman
factory staff to determine whether the
MOVs need replacement. (If they are
damaged, the PL unit may appear

PL-8/PL-PLUS POWER CONDITIONER

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PL-8/PL-PLUS POWER CONDITIONER

to be working normally, but its vital
spike-suppression capability will be
eliminated.)

You should not rely exclusively on the

PL unit for optimum protection against
a direct lightning hit. The rst line of
defense against lightning should be
a lightning arrestor installed on your
building’s electrical service entrance.
If your building does not have one,
contact your local power company or
an electrical contractor to have one
installed.

The PL-8 and PL-PLUS are not

intended to protect against accidental
connection to an improper voltage
supply (such as 220 Volts in North

America or 380 Volts in other areas.)

If such a connection is made, the
PL unit’s MOVs will most likely be
destroyed, which may or may not
provide sufcient time for its circuit
breaker to trip. If it does not trip in
time, it is possible for equipment
downstream to be damaged. In our
experience, such accidents happen
surprisingly often. For complete
protection against this possibility, a
more sophisticated protection device
is needed, such as a Furman PRO
Series Power Conditioner, AR Series

AC Line Voltage Regulators, or

Furman’s SMP products.

DEFINITIONS

SPIKE: This is a pulse of energy on the power

line. Spikes can have voltages as high as
6000 volts. Though they are usually of very
short duration, the energy they contain can

be considerable, enough to damage sensitive
solid-state components in audio and computer
equipment. Spikes can also foul switch contacts
and degrade wiring insulation. They are an
unavoidable component of electric power. They
are caused unpredictably by electric motors
switching on or off (on the premises or outside),
utility company maintenance operations, lightning
strikes and other factors. Spikes (also called
surges or transients) are absorbed by special
components called varistors or MOVs in the PL-8
and PL-PLUS to provide safe voltage levels to

protect your equipment.

RFI/EMI INTERFERENCE: Noise from RFI
(Radio Frequency Interference) or EMI (Electro
Magnetic Interference) involves lower voltages
and less energy than is found in spikes, but it is
continuous rather than transient in nature. It is
not likely to cause damage, but it can certainly be
annoying, producing static in audio circuits, “snow”
on video screens, or garbled data in computers.
Noise can be introduced into AC lines by nearby
radio transmitters, certain kinds of lighting,
electric motors, and other sources. Because
noise occurs at higher frequencies than the 50
or 60 Hz AC line, it can be effectively reduced
through use of low-pass ltering.

PL-8/PL-PLUS POWER CONDITIONER

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THREE YEAR LIMITED

WARRANTY

The Furman PL-8 and PL-PLUS are
protected by a limited three year warranty,
covering defects in materials and workmanship,
provided that the registration card is lled out
and returned by the customer. Otherwise, a
one year warranty applies. Products must have
a proof of purchase from a Furman authorized
dealer. During this period, Furman will make
any necessary repairs without charge for parts
or labor. Shipping charges to the factory or
repair station must be prepaid by the owner;
return shipping charges (via UPS ground) will
be paid by Furman. This warranty applies only
to the original owner. Also, it does not apply to
repairs done by other than the Furman factory
or Authorized Repair Stations.

This warranty may be cancelled by Furman
at its sole discretion if the unit has been
subjected to physical abuse (including, but not
limited to, connection to improper AC or DC
voltages), or has been modied in any way
without written authorization from Furman.
Furman’s liability under this warranty is limited
to repair or replacement of the defective unit.

the purchase date (if a Warranty Registration
Card was mailed in at the time of purchase,
this is not necessary). Before returning any
equipment for repair, please be sure that it
is adequately packed and cushioned against
damage in shipment, and that it is insured.
Please enclose a note giving your name,
address, phone number and a description of
the problem.

Service: All equipment being returned for

repair must have a Return Authorization (RA)
Number. To get an RA Number, please call the
Furman Service Department, [phone]
ext. 120 or 121, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. U.S.
Pacic Time, or fax to [phone]. Please
display your RA Number clearly on the front of
the package.

Furman will not be responsible for incidental
or consequential damages resulting from the
use or misuse of its products. Some states
do not allow the exclusion of incidental or
consequential damages, so this limitation
may not apply to you. This warranty gives you
specic legal rights, and you may also have
other rights which vary from state to state.

Warranty claims should be accompanied by
a copy of the original purchase invoice showing

PL-8/PL-PLUS POWER CONDITIONER

SPECIFICATIONS

Current rating:

15 Amps (“E” versions 10 Amps)

Input Voltage:

85 to 135 VAC (“E” versions 190 to 270 VAC)

Voltmeter Accuracy:

PL-PLUS only: ±2 VAC, calibrated with internal
trimpot adjustments

Spike Protection Modes:

Line to neutral, neutral to ground, line to ground

Spike Clamping Voltage:

Initial turn-on at 200 Volts; TVSS rating of 400
Volts peak at 500 Amps, L-N, N-G, L-G (tested to
UL-1449) (Initial turn-on for “E” versions, 390 Volts
peak L-N; 680 Volts peak N-G, L-G)

Response time:

1 nanosecond

Maximum surge current:

6,500 Amps

Maximum spike energy:

80 Joules per mode, 240 Joules total protection
(“E” versions 130 Joules L-N, 160 Joules N-G,
L-G, 450 Joules total)

Noise attenuation:

Transverse and common modes: 20 dB at 200
kHz, rising to >40 dB, 1 to 100 MHz

Mechanical:

Dimensions: 1.75” H x 19” W x 8” D.
Weight: 6 lbs (2.7 kg).
Construction: Steel chassis, zinc chromate plating;
.125” brushed and black anodized aluminum front
panel; glass epoxy printed circuit boards.

Power Consumption:

PL-8, 14 Watts
PL-PLUS, 20 Watts

Safety Agency Listings:

UL, CUL, CE, NRTL-C

092203-C

Furman Sound, Inc.

1997 South McDowell Blvd.

Petaluma, California 94954-6919 USA

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Web: www.furmansound.com

E-mail: [e-mail]