Can power supplies/adapters be used to clean up dirty generator power?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of power supplies and adapters to potentially clean up the "dirty" power generated by portable generators. Participants explore the implications of using such power supplies for sensitive electronics, considering the stability of voltage and frequency from generators. The conversation includes technical insights, personal experiences, and inquiries about the effectiveness of various solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that good AC-DC power supplies can clean up generator power, while others caution that unregulated or poorly designed supplies may not be effective.
  • One participant notes that many portable generators produce unstable voltage and frequency, which can be harmful to sensitive electronics, while others argue that most electronics are designed to handle such fluctuations.
  • There is a discussion about the differences between standard generators and inverter generators, with inquiries about their respective power quality.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of understanding the specific power quality issues of the generator in question before drawing conclusions about the need for cleaner power.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the necessity of cleaner power without a clear definition of what constitutes "clean" power.
  • There are multiple suggestions for solutions, including the use of variable frequency drives (VFDs), but questions remain about their applicability to single-phase outputs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether power supplies can effectively clean up generator power. There are competing views on the sensitivity of electronics to generator power quality and the necessity of additional equipment to address potential issues.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the variability in power quality from portable generators and the potential impact on sensitive electronics, but specific measurements or definitions of "dirty" power are not provided. The discussion reflects a range of experiences and assumptions about power supply effectiveness.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals using portable generators for backup power, particularly those concerned about the impact of generator power on sensitive electronic devices.

  • #61
What if I am plugged into a battery backup/surge protector? Will this clean up the frequency.
 
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  • #62
Welcome to PF.

mcblatz said:
What if I am plugged into a battery backup/surge protector? Will this clean up the frequency.
A UPS unit will contain an inverter to convert the DC battery power to AC Mains power. The harmonic distortion (THD) rating will depend on the specs of the inverter. It's not a matter of cleaning up the 50/60 Hz frequency, it's a matter of how "clean" the AC Mains sine wave is (since it's being generated with switching magnetic circuits).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_inverter
 

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