Furman Sound ElitE 20 PF User Manual

ELITE 20 PF OWNER’S MANUAL

ELITE 20 PF OWNER’S MANUAL

1

The Elite 20 PF Features

• Power Fa ctor cor rect ion p rovi d es s urp l us c urre n t fo r powe r-st a rv e d am plif iers

• Ul t ra-L inea r Filt e rin g for stun ning aud io/v i deo cla r ity

• Ser ies Mult i-St a ge P r o tec tion Plus (SM P+) featu r ing Ex t reme Volt age S hutd own ( EVS )

• Zero grou n d co ntam i nati on c ircui tr y pro tect s cr itic al d igit a l co m pon e nts

• Ul t raso nic b i- d irec tio n al f ilte ring iso l ates eac h au d io a nd v ideo out let b ank

• Re t rac tabl e LE D la m ps i llum inat e a c abin et o r ra c k fu ll o f eq u ipm e nt

• De t ach a ble modu le fo r te l co s urge supp ressi on a nd 3 pai r s o f ca b le / sat e llit e T VS S

is o late d F- con n ect o rs

Suggested AC Connection

Powered
Subwoofer

Receiver
with Power

Amplier

Surround
Sound

Processor

Satellite
Receiver

Projector

1 to 7

Satellite /

Cable TVSS

Channel

Ampliers

Connetors

Audio

Pre-Amplier

DVD
Player

Plasma /

LCD Monitor

ELITE 20 PF OWNER’S MANUAL

2

Introduction

For over 30 years, Furman has pioneered the
development of AC power products for the
most demanding audio, video, and broadcast
professionals. Though the need for pristine AC
power is nothing new, the Elite-20 Power Factor’s
technology and its unique implementation are
revolutionary and without peer.

The extreme AC demands encountered in the

professional audio/video arena have required
technological developments far in excess of
typical home theater/audiophile power products.
In studios, live sound, and broadcast facilities,
breakdown is unacceptable. Equipment failure
or poor performance is costly. The same is true
of today’s home theater. Our solution based
technology, extensive engineering expertise,
and robust build quality have answered the
challenge of today’s corrupted power lines, and
led to the creation of the Elite-20 PF.

Today’s power lines are plagued with RF

and EMI noise. When connecting sensitive
equipment to your home’s power outlet, AC
noise couples into your system’s critical
components. This AC noise masks low level
signals and cripples performance. This low level
content is critical because it relays the crucial
harmonics and ambience in audio, as well as
the depth and clarity in video. With Furman’s
exclusive Ultra-Linear Filtering Technology,
televisions, projectors, DVD players, ampliers,
and processors are fed ultra-wide bandwidth
linearly-ltered AC power. This dramatically
reduces noise, ensuring consistent peak
operation regardless of load conditions or the
time of day. For the rst time, you will see and
hear your theater or audio system as it should
be – uncompromised.

Another critical feature is our exclusive
Series Multi-stage Protection. This virtually
maintenance-free surge suppression assures
the highest level of AC protection possible,
without sacricing itself when the offending
surge is severe – no damaged equipment,
no service calls, no down time. Further, our
famous retractable front panel LED lamps allow
easy viewing of either a rack or cabinet full of
equipment, even when your theater lights are
off.

At the center of the Elite-15 PF is our unique
Power Factor Correction Circuit. For the rst time,
low-level analog, digital, and video components
are not modulated or distorted via the power
amplier’s extreme AC current demands.
Further, the power amplier sees a highly
ltered, extremely low-impedance supply of AC
power. The Elite-20 PF, in fact, has in excess
of 4.5 Amps of continuous current reserve (over
55 amps peak charge) for the most extreme
peak power demands. This technology enables
power ampliers and powered subwoofers to
operate at peak efciency, reaching levels of
performance previously unattainable.

No longer will your amplier’s performance be
at the mercy of your home’s incoming AC power
or inferior AC protection/ltering devices. The
net effect is as if your power amplier virtually
doubled in power and improved immeasurably
in quality.

When employing the Elite-20 PF, you will
immediately notice far clearer, stunningly
focused sound and visual images from your
system. Video presentation will be crisp and
colors true with greater gray and black scale
denition, as well as noticeably improved
depth and clarity. Sonic transients will be
startlingly fast with bass fundamentals that

ELITE 20 PF OWNER’S MANUAL

3

shake foundations with their weight and visceral
impact. Mid and high frequencies will bloom with
sweet, non-glaring ease while imaging improves
dramatically, all the while remaining true to your
system’s inherent virtues.

Installation:

Unpacking

Before unpacking your unit, inspect the carton
for any obvious severe damage to the box and
internal protective materials. If internal damage
is likely, contact the carrier who delivered the
unit before proceeding with unpacking. If, after
unpacking, shipping damage is evident, contact
the carrier. Save all shipping and packing
materials. You may need them if you should

ever have to return the unit to the factory for

servicing.

The box should contain the Elite-20 PF unit,

detachable AC cord, rack mount kit, owner’s
manual, and warranty registration card. If anything
is missing, please contact Furman Customer
Service. Fill out and return your warranty
registration card. Registration is recommended
because it can be used to establish whether the
unit is within the warranty period should your
original ownership documents be lost, and it
assists us in informing you about upgrades or
other vital information.

Safety Information - Warnings

Please read and observe all of the safety and
operating instructions before the Elite-15 PF is
operated. Retain these instructions for future
reference.

• Do not disassemble or modify in any way. No

user-serviceable parts inside

• Keep away from moisture and avoid excessive

humidity

• Do not allow liquids or foreign objects to

enter the unit

The Elite-20 PF should be serviced by qualied

service personnel when:

• The power supply cord or plug has been

frayed or cut.

• Objects have fallen or liquid has spilled into

the unit.

• The Elite-20 PF has been exposed to rain or

other moisture.

• The Elite-20 PF does not appear to operate

normally, or exhibits a marked change in
performance.

• The Elite-20 PF has been dropped, or the

enclosure damaged.

The Elite-20 PF requires that a safety ground

be present for proper operation. Any attempt to
operate the Elite-20 PF without a safety ground
is considered improper operation and could
invalidate the warranty.

Power Source

The power source to which the Elite-20 PF is

connected should be adequate for use at 20
Amps. The Elite-20 PF will operate with a 15
Amp service outlet; however, nuisance tripping

at the circuit breaker panel may result if the

systems continuous current draw exceeds 15
Amps.

Placement

The Elite-20 PF is manufactured with four

rubber feet for placement on any table, cabinet,

shelf, or oor. These rubber feet may be

easily removed with a standard Philips screw

driver when rack mounting adjacent to other

ELITE 20 PF OWNER’S MANUAL

4

components. Placement or proximity to other
components is not critical, and the Elite-20 PF
does not produce any appreciable heat under
standard use. The Elite-20 PF may also be rack
mounted in a standard 19” rack by attaching
the Elite-20 PF rack ears. These rack ears
(contained within the plastic rack kit package)
mount ush with the back portion of the Elite­20 PF’s front panel. They are attached to the
chassis by installing each rack ear with (3) pan­head Philips screws contained within the Elite­20 PF rack mounting kit. The third screw used
for each rack ear is for the center hole, located
towards the rear and aids in stabilizing the unit
when rack mounted.

Connection:

AC Cable Routing

Once the Elite-20 PF is placed, its AC cord’s
female end must be plugged into the male IEC
connector located on the lower left hand side
of the rear panel (when facing the rear panel).
Next the male Edison plug must be connected
to an appropriate socket (see current rating
recommendation above).

Connecting Components to the Ultra-Linear
Filtering Video AC Outlet Banks

The Elite-20 PF’s four “Ultra-Linear Video AC

Outlets” should be employed for critical video
components such as DVD players, projectors,
plasma, or LCD video screens. When employing
the Elite-20 PF for a 2-channel audio system,

a SACD player for example would be ideally

suited for one of these outlets.

Connecting Components to the Ultra-Linear
Filtering Audio AC Outlet Banks

The Elite-20 PF’s four rear panel and one front

panel “Ultra-Linear Filtering Audio AC Outlets”
should be employed for any component not

connected to the “Ultra-Linear Video AC Outlets,”
with the exception of receivers, power ampliers
and powered sub-woofers. These outlets
possess the same exceptional AC noise ltering,
and provide additional inter-component noise
isolation to maximize system performance.

Connecting Components to the High Current

Power Amplier Banks

All power ampliers, receivers and powered
sub-woofers should be connected to these four
outlets.

Many Audiophile and premium Home Theater

systems will have combined continuous current
demands below 20 Amps. It is rare, in fact, for
large power ampliers to draw more than 4
Amps continuously. For superior performance,
it is vital that an AC lter possess extraordinarily
low impedance, and have the capability to pass
peak current demands far in excess of the RMS
(continuous) current rating.

The Elite-20 PF was designed to more than meet

this demand. Additionally, our Power Factor
Correction Circuitry effectively creates a current
reserve in excess of 55 amps peak charge that
is cleaner and faster than a dedicated line from
your local power station. This feature eliminates
any concern towards the current compression
that can result from typical power conditioners,
and the peak power reservoir benets any power
ampliers performance dramatically.

Note about Power Factor Correction and Current

Consumption:

When power correction technology is employed
with even the most sophisticated circuit breakers,
it effectively adds to the perceived current load.

Though the Elite-20 PF was designed for steady

20 Amp operation, and peak current demands
many times that, the maximum total continuous
current draw may be limited to a range between

ELITE 20 PF OWNER’S MANUAL

5

1900 - 2300 Watts per Elite-20 PF employed.

The RMS current available before the circuit

breaker trips varies due to what is referred to
as a vector load. Simply put, the type of power
supplies or electronic circuits connected to
the Elite-20 PF will have an effect on its circuit
breakers perceived current load, and therefore,
when it will trip. Though the benets of
power factor correction far outweigh the small
reduction in continuous current draw, this must
be accounted for when constructing a large
system with high RMS current demands.

The total continuous current draw of most

electronic components is typically listed in
Watts by their AC input cord or AC connector.
Watt ratings are simply added to determine the
total system RMS current draw. It should also
be noted that the Elite-20 PF’s power correction
circuitry has no actual effect on the power drawn
from your utilities’ power meter. The Elite-20
PF draws a mere 12 Watts independent of other
components, so it may be left on at all times.

Soft Start - Continuous Use and Break-In Time

When power is rst applied to the Elite-20
PF, (the front panel breaker- power toggle
must be switched to the “on” position) the Soft
Start feature is activated. There is an audible

“clack” when the Elite-20 PF is rst turned on

or off. This sound is produced by the Soft Start
circuit’s 30 Amp relay engaging or disengaging.

There is virtually nothing in the Elite-20 PF’s

construction, design, or componentry to wear
over the life time of the product, and there is
no power draw from your electric service meter
aside from the LED power indicator, lamps, and
relay circuits. For this reason the Elite-20 PF
may be left with its power engaged permanently
at a cost of pennies per month. This is an
added benet, as many audio/videophiles
nd performance improves signicantly when
leaving low-powered components permanently
charged (turned on). In fact, this is true of the
Elite-20 PF. Though it will function awlessly
right from its shipping carton, the performance of
its circuit parts will improve after approximately
two weeks of continuous use or “break-in.”

Retractable Front Panel Lights and
Dimmer Control

AC Transient Voltage Surge
Suppression and Extreme Voltage
Shutdown

The Elite-20 PF includes a front panel mounted

dimmer control for the two retractable front

panel light tubes. The dimmer knob controls the
brightness of both light xtures. Turn it clockwise
to increase brightness; turn it counter-clockwise
to decrease brightness. When the lights tubes
are fully inserted ush to the front panel, the
light circuit is turned off via an internal micro­switch. Whether the light tubes are retracted or
nearly ush with the front panel, there will be no
appreciable heat regardless of dimmer setting
due to the efciency of our full light spectrum
LED’s.

Extreme Voltage Shutdown Indicator:

This LED is normally off. It monitors AC wiring

faults – for example, accidental connection to an
open neutral from a 208 or 240VAC feed (this
is a common occurrence if the 20 Amp outlet
source is not a dedicated line, but instead has
been wired with a daisy-chained neutral from
a homes breaker box). The Series Multi-stage
Protection (SMP) circuit senses voltages that are
so high that operation would be impossible and
shuts the power down before damage can occur.
Upon initially applying power to these units, the
Extreme Voltage indicator LED will light if the

ELITE 20 PF OWNER’S MANUAL

6

input voltage is above the extreme voltage cutoff,
and power will not be applied to the unit’s outlets.
If the unit has been operating with an acceptable
input voltage and subsequently that voltage
exceeds 137V, it will shut off power to the outlet
and the Extreme Voltage LED will light.

Protection OK Indicator:
Although the Furman SMP circuit assures

virtually maintenance free protection from

transient voltage spikes and surges, nature has
a way of occasionally creating electrical forces
that are beyond the capabilities of any Transient
Voltage Surge Suppression device to absorb
without some degree of damage. In the rare
instance that this occurs, the blue LED located
in the center of the front panel will dim, even
though AC power is present at the unit’s outputs.
If this happens, some level of protection from
voltage surges will remain, but the Furman’s
clamping voltage rating will be compromised.

The unit must be returned to Furman Sound, or

an authorized Furman Service center for repair.

NOTE: If the mains power is above the high
cutoff voltage and has caused the unit to remove
power from its outlets, it cannot restore power
without the operator manually turning the unit
off, then on again. Avoid turning the unit back on,
without rst checking the source of the problem,
and perhaps changing the AC source.

Telco – Satellite – Cable Transient Voltage

Surge Suppressors

The Elite-20 PF features transient voltage

surge suppression for both standard telephone
lines, as well as cable or satellite lines utilizing
standard coaxial connectors. As these surge
suppressors are in-line, they will require an

additional cable to connect from their output to

the control device requiring protection.

All in-line surge suppressors feature our exclusive
ground contamination free technology. This aids in
eliminating audio buzzing, and the video hum-bars
that can result from typical in-line suppressors.
Further, our cable and satellite suppressors are

TIVO friendly as well as HD-Digital Television ready.

Both DC carrier signals as well as high bandwidth
signals can pass through our circuit. In fact the
bandwidth is less than 0.1dB loss at 1GHz!

To connect your cabling to these in-line protectors,

simply follow the in and out indications marked
next to the Telco, Cable and Satellite connectors.

Note: It is not possible to make an a telco
(telephone –line), satellite or cable protector

“maintenance-free” as we have accomplished with

the 120 VAC line. This would necessitate limited
signal bandwidth that would not allow the signal
to pass. Under extreme conditions, it is possible
that the surge suppression in one of these
devices could sacrice itself after a catastrophic
event. If the telephone, cable or satellite signal
will no longer pass through our protector, please
contact your local service representative, installer
or Furman for servicing. Since the telco circuit
is modular, replacement may be accomplished
in seconds with a new telco TVSS module. To
test this, simply disconnect the incoming and out
going phone line from the Elite-20 PF. Connect
the incoming connector to the component that
formerly received the out going connector, thus
by-passing the in-line protection. If the signal is
present (but not when used with the Elite-20 PF)
then the protection circuit is damaged (assuming
it worked properly before a storm or catastrophic
event). With Cable or Satellite protection, it is
HIGHLY unlikely that the protection device will
ever fail unless a severe lightening strike literally
deforms the connector. If this occurs, return to
Furman Sound for Servicing.

ELITE 20 PF OWNER’S MANUAL

Warranty:

Furman Sound, Inc. warrants to the original
purchaser of this product, the Furman Elite 20 PF,
that the product will be free from defects in material
and workmanship for a period of three years from
the date of purchase. The purchaser of the product
is allowed fteen days from the date of purchase
to complete warranty registration by mail or on­line at the Furman website. If the purchaser fails
to complete the aforementioned registration, the

warranty period will be reduced to one year from the

date of purchase.

If the product does not conform to this Limited
Warranty during the warranty period (as herein
above specied), purchaser shall notify Furman
in writing of the claimed defects. If the defects are
of such type and nature as to be covered by this
warranty, Furman shall authorize the purchaser to

return the product to the Furman factory or to an

authorized Furman repair location. Warranty claims
should be accompanied by a copy of the original
purchase invoice showing the purchase date;
this is not necessary if the Warranty Registration
was completed either by mailing in the completed
warranty card or by registering on-line at the Furman
website. Shipping charges to the Furman factory
or to an authorized repair location must be prepaid
by the purchaser of the product. Furman shall, at
its own expense, furnish a replacement product or,
at Furman’s option, repair the defective product.
Return shipping charges back to purchaser will be
paid by Furman.

CONNECTED EQUIPMENT WARRANTY: Furman
Sound’s Connected Equipment Warranty covers
equipment that is damaged by transient voltage (an
“Occurrence”) while properly connected through the
Furman Elite 20 PF to a properly wired AC power
line with a protective ground in an indoor location.
Furman’s Connected Equipment Warranty is limited
to the amount of the deductible on the Purchaser’s
personal property insurance policy up to $500.00. In
order to make a claim for this Connected Equipment

Warranty, the Purchaser must forward a copy of
his/her personal property insurance claim for the
damaged equipment to Furman and complete the
Furman Connected Equipment Warranty claim
form (call Furman at [phone] to obtain the
form). Furman reserves the right to review the
damaged Furman product, the damaged connected
equipment, and the site where the damage
occurred. All cost of shipping damaged equipment
to Furman for inspection shall be borne solely by
the Purchaser. Damaged equipment must remain
available for inspection until the claim is nalized.
The Connected Equipment Warranty is also in effect
for a period of three years unless the Purchaser
does not complete the warranty registration within
fteen days from date of purchase, at which time,
the Connected Equipment Warranty period is also
reduced to one year from the date of purchase.

All warranties contained herein are null and void
if: the Furman Surge Protector in use during the
occurrence is not provided to Furman for inspection
upon Furman’s request at the sole expense of the
Purchaser, Furman determines that the Furman
Surge Protector has been opened, improperly
installed, altered in any way or tampered with,
Furman determines that the damage did not result
from the Occurrence or that no Occurrence in fact
took place or Furman determines that the connected
equipment was not used under normal operating
conditions or in accordance with Manufacturer’s
instructions for the connected equipment. All
Furman Surge Protectors must be plugged directly

into a properly wired AC power line with a protective

ground and must not be “daisy-chained” together
in serial fashion with other power strips, UPS’s,
other surge protectors, three-to-two-prong adapters,
or extension cords. Any such installation voids
this warranty. The Furman warranty only protects
against damage to properly connected equipment
where Furman has determined, at its sole discretion,
that the damage resulted from an Occurrence and
does not protect against acts of God (other than
lightning) such as ood, earthquake, war, terrorism,
vandalism, theft, normal-use wear and tear, erosion,

ELITE 20 PF OWNER’S MANUAL

depletion, obsolescence, abuse, damage due to
low-voltage disturbances (i.e. brownouts or sags),
non-authorized program, or system equipment
modication or alteration. Do not use this product
in anyway with a generator, heater, sump pump,
water-related device, life support device, medical
device, automobile, motorcycle, or golf-cart battery
charger. To be used indoors only and in dry areas. All
warranties contained herein are null and void if used
in anyway with any of the aforementioned devices.

THE FOREGOING IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Furman
does not warrant against damages or defects arising
out of improper or abnormal use or handling of the
product; against defects or damages arising from
improper installation, against defects in products
or components not manufactured by Furman, or
against damages resulting from such non-Furman
made products or components. This warranty shall
be cancelable by Furman at its sole discretion if
the product is modied in any way without written
authorization from Furman. This warranty also does
not apply to products upon which repairs have been
affected or attempted by persons other than pursuant
to written authorization by Furman.

WARRANTIES, shall not be relied upon by
purchaser, and are not a part of the contract for
sale or this limited warranty. This Limited Warranty
states the entire obligation of Furman with respect
to the product. If any part of this Limited Warranty is
determined to be void or illegal, the remainder shall
remain in full force and effect.

Warranty claims should be accompanied by a copy
of the original purchase invoice showing the date
of purchase (if a Warranty Registration Card was
mailed in at the time of purchase or if the product
was registered on-line, this is not necessary). Before
returning any equipment for repair, please be sure
it is adequately packed and cushioned against
damage in shipment, and that it is insured.

THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE. The sole and
exclusive obligation of Furman shall be to repair or

replace the defective product in the manner and for

the period provided above. Furman shall not have
any other obligation with respect to this product or
any part thereof, whether based on contract, tort,
strict liability, or otherwise. Under no circumstances,
whether based on this Limited Warranty or
otherwise, shall Furman be liable for incidental,
special, or consequential damages. Furman’s
employees or representatives’ ORAL OR OTHER
WRITTEN STATEMENTS DO NOT CONSTITUTE

ELITE-20 PF SPECIFICATIONS

AC Current Capacity:
Input - 20 Amp capacity required
Output - 16-20 Amps RMS * (maximum, all outlets combined - continuous)
Linear Noise Attenuation:
Transverse (Differential) Mode:
>40 dB from 5 kHz. - 100 kHz. >80 dB from 100 Khz. – 1GHz.
(Linear attenuation curve from 0.05 – 100 ohms line impedance)
Transient Voltage Surge Suppression:
120 VAC - Series Multi-Stage Protection - Non-Sacricial with Zero Ground Contamination.
(188 V peak clamping @ 6000V - 3000A input)
Extreme Voltage Shutdown (>137 VAC)
Telco Cable / Satellite (less than .1dB insertion loss)
Power Consumption:
12 Watts for display and control circuits independent of actual load.
Outlets:
1 (Ultra-Linearly ltered outlet - front panel)
8 (Ultra-Linearly ltered outlets with additional ultrasonic ltering for either video or audio
components)
4 (power factor corrected ampliler outlets – 4.5 amps RMS reserve - resistive load - over 55
amps peak charge)
Dimensions: 4” H x 17” W x 14.75” D (Standard 1 RU height without feet)
Weight: 18 lbs.
Safety Agency Listing: NRTL-C (pending)

* (Due to the power factor correction circuit, available RMS power varies with the reactance of the load (vector). However, this only aects the circuit breaker for continuous
RMS current draw. Since power ampliers will require high transient current demands, the Elite-20 PF will never succumb to current compression. Quite the opposite, in fact,
it will buer the power amplier’s power supply, while lowering the AC input impedance, allowing power ampliers to work more eciently).

Furman Sound, Inc.

Petaluma, California 94954-6919 USA

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

113005

1997 South McDowell Blvd.

Web: www.furmansound.com

E-mail: [e-mail]