Tripp Lite LC1800 1800W Line Conditioner with Isobar Protection 6 outlets 120V

We have used LC-1800s since the early 1990's and have only one complaint: if one of the mechanical relays that maintain the 110-120 VAC output fails, the associated indicator light on the front of the unit will still function as usual, and the user will thus not be aware of the failure. The result is that the equipment connected to the LC-1800 will be subjected to brown-out or over-voltage conditions.

The only way we have found to monitor the proper operation of the relays is to periodically plug our LC-1800s into a 140 VAC autotransformer, attach a VOM to one of the output duplexes, and slowly turn the autotransformer voltage down from 140 to 87, watching the VOM to see that the relays engage the various secondaries on the LC-1800's transformer and thus keep the output voltage in the 110-120 VAC range.

Before we began this monitoring, the main power switch on two different LC-1800s failed due to overheating. On each unit, one of the internal relays had failed, allowing low input voltage to flow through to the load and create an over-amperage draw that exceeded the rating on the power switches.

Clean, regulated power is important for a computers, stereos, and high end video equipment. Surge protectors and UPS units do not clean the power well, they simply clip surges and spikes. High end surge protectors units filter some harmonics (harmonics are usually introduced by motors, furnaces, Air Conditioners, freezers, etc).

A Line Conditioner corrects for high and low voltage, and cleans the voltage.

I own a few LC1800s to solve pesky problems.

A friend's computer, which was connected to a UPS, would turn off after 6 to 48 hours. The computer did not have this problem when it was at a different location. I took the computer and ran stress tests for four days with no problems. He took it home and it turned off within two days. I loaned him home an LC1800 and he has not had a problem in two weeks.

A computer at The Ohio State University failed every six months. We added an LC1800 and the computer ran continuously for more than three years with no problems.

I have a dedicated line from my breaker box to my computer and I still use an LC1800, which feeds my UPS. I rarely turn off or reboot my computer (unlike Windows, you can update a Linux computer without a reboot). I use one just to be safe. I still use my first LC1800 from more than ten years ago.

Although most people, including myself, probably do not require this level of power protection, it is safer. If you experiences difficult to explain behavior, be certain to try one of these units.

I assume this model does the job it is intended to do, but when I hooked it up to my desktop computer and peripherals, I found it also emits a hum that is annoying (to me, at any rate) and is louder than the fan noise from my computer. I was informed by a company rep that this hum is normal. It's unacceptable to me, so I returned the unit.