Line conditioner
A power conditioner (also known as a line conditioner or power line conditioner) is a device intended to improve the quality of the power that is delivered to electrical load equipment. While there is no official definition of a power conditioner, the term most often refers to a device that acts in one or more ways to deliver a voltage of the proper level and characteristics to enable load equipment to function properly. In some usages, power conditioner refers to a voltage regulator with at least one other function to improve power quality (e.g. power factor correction, noise suppression, transient impulse protection, etc.).
The terms "power conditioning" and "power conditioner" can be misleading, as the word "power" here refers to the electricity generally rather than the more technical electric power. Conditioners specifically work to smooth the sinusoidal A.C. wave form and maintain a constant voltage over varying loads.
An AC power conditioner is the typical power conditioner that
provides "clean" AC power to sensitive electrical equipment. Usually
this is used for home or office applications and has up to 10 or more
receptacles or outlets and commonly provides surge protection as well as noise filtering.
Power line conditioners take in power and modify it based on the requirements of the machinery to which they are connected. Voltage spikes are most common during power storms or other malfunctions in the main
power lines. The surge protector stops the flow of electricity from
reaching a machine by shutting off the power source.
The term "Power Conditioning" has been difficult to define
historically. However, with the advances in power technology and
recognition by IEEE, NEMA, and other standards organizations, a new
actual engineering definition has now been developed and accepted to
provide an accurate depiction of this definition. "Power Conditioning"
is the ability to filter the a.c. line signal provided by the power
company. "Power Regulation" is the ability to take a signal from the
local power company, turn it into a d.c. signal that will run an
oscillator, which generates a single frequency sine wave, which is
determined by your local area needs, is fed to the input stage of power
amplifier, and is then output as what is specified as the ideal voltage
present at any standard wall outlet.
