Overview

Ameritron Inrush Current Protectors

Ameritron Inrush Current Protectors are designed to resist high current draw whenever a legacy tube-type amplifier is turned on. The Inrush Current Protector switch is used to power up the linear amplifier through a high power current-limiting resistor, and then it bypasses the resistor with a relay. This provides a power-on sequence that's much easier and safer for the tube and power supply components.

When an older tube-type amplifier is first turned on, a massive inrush current floods its power supply filter capacitors. The house lights might flicker as a loud thump is often heard from the amplifier's power transformer. This inrush current stresses all of the power supply components to their limits, and the cold tube filament suffers abusive thermal shock, eventually damaging the amplifier.

Prevent those failures by simply adding an Ameritron Inrush Current Protector to the power line of the legacy amplifier. There is no complicated wiring or any need to take the cover off. Simply plug the amplifier's power cord into the protector, plug the protector into the power outlet and leave the amplifier power switch on. Use only the switch on the protector to limit heavy inrush current to a safe low level, so the legacy amplifier and tube will last longer.

Momentary high voltage spikes in the AC line can also cause damage to an amplifier. The Ameritron Inrush Current Protectors also have built-in Varistors to absorb these spikes before they can cause damage.

NOTE: Ameritron Inrush Current Protectors are not intended for use with AC motors and cannot help state-of-the-art electronic start amplifiers (including Solid State amplifiers) which typically have inrush current protection built-in.

Ameritron Inrush Current Protectors are available in 120 VAC or 240 VAC configurations. The 120 V version limits current to 12 amps during heavy draw inrush periods and 20 amps continuous operating current and the 240 V version limits current to 6 amps during heavy draw inrush periods and 10 amps continuous operating current.

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