One of my MC 1.2 KW Power Guard Indicators

[Scottsmrnyc]

has come on once and a while. I would say that it stays off 98% of the time. I do not play music at loud or even mid volumes. If you can view my avatar photo- it is the MC 1.2 that is the farthest right. I think it comes on as a result of the electrical energy being used in my building. What exactly is the McIntosh Power Guard? Why does it come on? Is it dangerous for me to continue to run my amp with it on? Lots of questions. ETC.

[Still-One]

How are your amps plugged in. Do they each have their own separate outlet or do they share. If you are concerned about your buildings power try swapping how that one is connected with another amp. See if the issue moves at all.

Or I guess you could just swap power cords and connections with another amp.

[jdandy]

Scott.......Your MC1.2kw amplifier has two types of protection, Power Guard and Sentry Monitor.

The McIntosh patented Power Guard circuit is a wave form comparator, monitoring both the input and output waveforms. When the difference between the input and output waveforms exceeds 0.3% the Power Guard circuit turns on the Power Guard orange colored light and instantly reduces input voltage to a level that reduces output waveform differences to below the 0.3% threshold.

The patented McIntosh Sentry Monitor circuit monitors amplifier output, output transistors, and various possible circuit failures. An example would be a shorting of the output terminals. In cases where the Sentry monitor circuit detects a problem it instantly shuts the amplifier off and I think it also turns on the Power Guard light in the color red.

Since you have stated you are not overdriving the 1.2kw amp in question, you may well have a voltage issue that is causing the output waveform to differ more than 0.3% from the input waveform, thus causing the Power Guard circuit to activate. Is the amplifier shutting down or just flickering the Power Guard orange light?

[Scottsmrnyc]

Yes, I think I have an apartment voltage issue. In addition; as a result of having only a few electrical outlets within my apartment, I have had to add a couple of the electical outlet doublers; so that where there was two recepticles, I have placed a doubler- I don't know how else to describe it. The doubler gives me a total of six- three pronge outlets. I have two outlets that have been reconfigured for these six prong doublers. My building superintendent has assured me that this is a safe way to go. Any more ideas?

[Scottsmrnyc]

Utlilizing the MC 1.2 Kws in this way has always been just fine. I have been running all four of my 1.2 Kws for almost three years now. The one MC 1.2 Kw has only gone on about four times over the three year period. I generally; just turn them all off, wait about fifteen minutes and the fire them all up again without any further problem. If I have run my sytem 2000 times over the last three years, the amber power guard on the one 1.2KW has only come on about 4 times.

[Scottsmrnyc]

Also, to be totally secure and efficient, I turn all my other electricity off prior to my listening session; so that there are no lights, computers, etc on at all. My listening sessions are usually from 12 noon to 3 pm. I know I have a seperate electrical meter in the basement of my building. Could the occassion Power Guard indicator be coming on as a result an electrical down turn in my building as a whole or even a down turn in the Neighborhood as a whole?

Going out soon for the evening; I will return tomorrow for you ideas.

[Scottsmrnyc]

Additionally, you should know that I only use the parts of my audio system that are required. I do not have any components on that I am not directly using.

[Scottsmrnyc]

Well, since this episode has occurred, there have not been any further occurances. I somehow think that the rare showing of my Power Guard indicator is nothing to be concerned about. It probably has to do with changing electrical power requirements within my apartment building. I now consider this issue to be closed. Thanks to all for their help and advice.