Help with Equitech 1.5Q power conditioner

I do not plug anything into it

it faults when I power on the other devices

@califortini

Other devices?

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1.5Q Same as your link

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@jea48 my bad the link has the incorrect image. I'll add mine. The top left is the receptacle that has the reset button. The only devices are the TV, 2 speakers, preamp and amp are all that are plugged into the 1.5Q. none of which are plugged into the gfci plug - those are all plugged into the regular outlets on the back

https://img.usaudiomart.com/uploads/large/5443352-eed0392e-equitech-15q-balanced-power-system.jpg

@califortini said:

The only devices are the TV, 2 speakers, preamp and amp are all that are plugged into the 1.5Q. none of which are plugged into the gfci plug

- those are all plugged into the regular outlets on the back

@califortini

Thanks for the additional information.

Are the regular outlets still Hot, energized, when the GFCI outlet trips?

IF not, that is because they are connected to the load side of the switch in the GFCI outlet. When the GFCI trips it opens the switch. Therein Kills power to the regular outlets.

https://www.electricaltechnology.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Outlet-Connected-to-the-Load-Terminals-are-GFCI-Protected.png

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How to wire a GFCI outlet and GFCI protect other outlets

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Oh, now I get it.

GFCI outlets do go bad, but it could also be equipment with a leaky capacitor to ground or a reactive load, which is most likely with bigger motors and amps.

If you find the problem is only your amp, I’d suspect swapping a GFCI won’t help.

Sometimes these trips happen intermittently, so hard to diagnose fully. Of course another alternative is to see if you can trigger any other outlet.  Maybe take the suspect piece of gear to your kitchen counter and see if you can trigger one of those outlets.

Maybe take the suspect piece of gear to your kitchen counter and see if you can trigger one of those outlets.

@erik_squires

FYI, the two 120V power systems are not configured the same. Though both, the OP’s, electrical service and the Equitech 1.5Q power conditioner are grounded split phase power systems.

The electrical service is a grounded power system.

120/240V. Two hot ungrounded conductors with a voltage of 240V nominal measured between the two Hot conductors.

The neutral, the grounded conductor. From either Hot, ungrounded conductor, to the neutral, grounded conductor, measures 120V nominal.

(Split Phase: Two 120V windings connected in series. The center point of the two windings connection is the neutral. The neutral is intentional connected to ground.)

When a 120V outlet is connected to the AC mains of the electrical service the Hot connects to the hot terminal on the outlet and the neutral connects to the neutral contact on the receptacle. EGC connects to the ground contact of the outlet.

(EGC is bonded to the neutral, grounded conductor, in the main electrical service equipment, electrical panel.)

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The Equitech 1.5Q power conditioner has an isolation transformer. Primary winding is 120V. Secondary winding is two 60V windings wired in series. The center point of the two windings connection is the neutral, the grounded conductor. The two outer ends of the two series windings are the HOT, ungrounded conductors. Difference of potential, voltage, measures 120Vac, Hot to Hot. From either Hot conductor to the neutral, grounded conductor, measures 60Vac.

The neutral is intentionally connected to the chassis of the Equitech 1.5Q, making it the Grounded Conductor... This connection to the chassis will also be where the EGCs conductors from the equipment ground contacts on all outlets will connect. (Note, the neutral from the Equitech 1.5Q is not used for power. It is used to configure the 120V output of the Equitech 1.5Q as grounded 60/120V power system.

As you can see the 120Vac power consists of two Hot ungrounded conductors. Not a Hot and neutral...

The two current carrying contacts on a 120V electrical outlet are fed with two Hot conductors. EGC contact on the outlet, from the neutral bonded to the chassis connection inside the Equitech 1.5Q .

From either Hot contact on the receptacle to the ground contact will measure 60Vac nominal.

The majority of audio equipment is designed to be fed from a grounded power system. A Hot ungrounded conductor an a neutral grounded conductor.

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A GFCI works by measuring the current that travels through the GFCI. Ideally it will measure the same on both sides, lines. If there is an imbalance of more than around 6ma the sensing device in the GFCI will cause the GFCI to trip. I believe that is what is happening with the OP’s Equitech 1.5Q.

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