Power Conditioners

Shop power conditioners designed to improve the quality and stability of electrical power supplied to sensitive industrial, commercial and electronic equipment. Depending on the design, a power conditioner may provide voltage regulation, electrical isolation, noise attenuation and protection against selected power-line disturbances.

Compare power conditioners by input and output voltage, phase, VA or kVA capacity, regulation range, mounting style and enclosure. Identify the specific power-quality problem and connected load before selecting a conditioner.

How to Select a Power Conditioner

Power conditioners are used when connected equipment requires cleaner or more stable input power than the normal electrical source provides. Depending on the product design, a conditioner may regulate voltage, provide isolation, attenuate electrical noise or help reduce the effects of selected transient disturbances.

A power conditioner does not automatically solve every power-quality problem. Before selecting a unit, determine whether the application is experiencing sustained low or high voltage, short-duration sags, electrical noise, transients, grounding issues or complete power interruptions.

Power Conditioner vs. UPS

A power conditioner improves or regulates incoming power but normally does not provide extended battery-backed operation during a complete outage. A UPS includes stored energy to support the connected load temporarily. Some UPS designs also include power-conditioning functions, but the two product types should not be treated as interchangeable.

Important Selection Factors

• Power-quality problem: Identify voltage variation, electrical noise, isolation or transient-protection requirements.
• Input voltage: Match the available supply and expected operating range.
• Output voltage: Confirm the voltage required by the connected equipment.
• Load capacity: Size the conditioner for the continuous VA or kVA demand.
• Inrush current: Account for startup demand from transformers, motors and power supplies.
• Phase: Select single-phase or three-phase equipment as required.
• Regulation range: Verify the allowable input variation and expected regulated output.
• Isolation: Determine whether galvanic isolation is required.
• Installation: Review hardwired, portable, rack, wall or floor-mount requirements.

Replacement Checklist

• Manufacturer and complete model number
• Input and output voltage
• Single-phase or three-phase supply
• Connected load in VA, kVA or watts
• Power-quality symptoms being addressed
• Required regulation and isolation functions
• Mounting and enclosure requirements
• Photographs of the existing nameplate and wiring diagram