back
The cicable
ac power source
points out:
Differences
between audio
components are
not based upon
»better – worse«
criteria, but
simply on the
better or worse
ability of
absorbing
random power
line disturbances.
The cicable PS2.4Q
improves the
whole system,
not only a
single component.
It can also
make buying
of new
components
obsolete.
On this
page you can find frequently asked questions of customers. If
you’d like to read the information on a piece of paper,
simply download the text as 
,
and if this still doesn’t answer your question, then please
contact us.
Are
there any smaller versions of the cicable Power Source ?
Offering
smaller models isn’t reasonable, because...
[1] Power Rating
Models with lower power output can’t supply the necessary
power rating for the whole hifi–system. As a result you’d
have to install more sources for bigger systems, with higher cost
and more complex set–up causing more problems than it solves,
or smaller systems which are permanently driven to their maximum
capability.
[2] Distortions
Exactly what we are trying to avoid, could happen here: the excessive
load results in increased and raised distortions… you start
spinning around in a circle, because as a result you get what
you want to prevent by using a self sufficient power supply: Power
line perturbations and distortion up to the highest frequency
range.
[3] Price
A smaller power source [for example with a rating of 500VA], wouldn’t
necessarily cost 1/4 of the current price. Due to the high basic
costs [technical development, basic control modules security circuits,
concept, labour costs] a smaller power source would only effect
a price reduction of 10% or 15%.
[4] Costs?
If the price prevents you from buying a high class, adequately
rated and properly dimensioned AC power source, you’d have
to correct the rating of the under specified power source by buying
new power sources when you upgrade your high–end system with high
performance amplifiers. In the end, total costs and expense rise.
Supplement
Bigger versions are available at any time, but they require a
three phase input. Power ratings up to 10.000 VA are possible.
Among the basically bigger power reserves, three phase mains always
offers the better precondition; of course a power source of this
kind requires an extensive installation on site.
Can
the cicable Power Source be operated with 110V/60 Hz power lines
?
Yes,
the cicable Power Source can be operated with every power supply
system in the world. But the switching isn’t accesible for
customers, as we don’t want to be held responsible for the
total breakdown of your hifi system.
How
big is the improvement in contrast to the normal power line ?
If
you presume approximately 5% distortion for a normal power line
[measurements showed distortions up to 10%], the third harmonic
distortion using the PS2.4Q is about 90dB below the fundamental
signal, which is equivalent to a 30.000 fold reduction.
What
kinds of distortions does the cicable PS2.4Q filter ?
This is one of the most asked questions. Apparently the subject
of filtering is so popular that it’s thought of as the cure–all.
– No, the cicable PS2.4Q Power Source has nothing to do with »filtering« or »cleaning«.
Not only is the method of filtering contrary to the thought of
providing a clean supply voltage; a subsequent improvement of
the supply voltage is only attainable by selective and specific
measures. For example if the power line is affected by radio frequency
interference, an appropriate filter couldn’t do anything
against a DC–offset or fluctuations of the supply voltage.
But generating a new, clean supply voltage from the beginning
instead of filtering is just the basic function and an even greater
advantage of a clean power source [see
samples of typical mains distortions].
We at cicable are strongly convinced that this problem can only
be completely and extensively solved by this measure.
What
happens if a load distortion caused by connected consumers does
occur?
The
cicable Power Source has a load regulation of just 0.1% or a thousandth
part..
Explanation:
The
low internal impedance results [among the function of keeping
the supply voltage constant while energised] in a very low voltage
reduction under load. While common voltage regulators create
additional interferences by working with a »supplementary«
voltage correction, the construction of the PS2.4Q Power Source
delivers a permanent constant output signal voltage without
any regulative processes.
The PS2.4Q Power Source always operates with an alternative voltage–coupling
[AC–coupling], preventing direct voltage offsets [DC–offsets],
making subsequent »power line conditioners« unnecessary.
Possible saturation effects of subsequent transformers do not
occur [main hum].
How
does the cicable Power Source perform if voltage fluctuations
occur ?
Voltage
fluctuations of the primary power supply system are compensated
in the range of 205 to 245 volts in a few µsec; the rise
time is 60 volts per µsec [1 millionth sec].
Explanation:
The
ability of compensating major low voltages depends on…
[1] consumer load
[2] voltage drop and
[3] duration of the voltage drop
[4] power correction factor [cos phi 0.7 – 1.0]
General
statements are impossible because of different system configurations
and different load. In practice the cicable PS2.4Q Power Source
is charged at an average of only 25 to 50% of its maximal rating.
Dependent of the voltage drop, regeneration within several msec
remains unrecognized.
At any rate the connected consumers remain unaffected by spontaneous
»dropouts«. The permanently regulating cicable PS2.4Q
smoothes existing voltage fluctuations so that the connected
consumers may expect a nominal mains voltage of an accuracy
of better than 0.5% within 10% to 100% of the rated voltage.
Does
the cicable PS2.4Q work like an over–voltage protector ?
The cicable Power Source strictly prevents over–voltage output
signals. This directly protects your devices and keeps them alive.
Explanation:
An over–voltage conductor protects
against sudden peak voltages, whereby the term »peak« can be defined differently, depending on voltage level, occurance
and endurance. Anyway, over–voltages are smoothed and kept away
from connected devices.
An over–voltage protector is similar in its function, but primarily
protects against momentary, spontaneous over–voltages caused by
arcing or lightning discharge. Here the effect is heavily dependent
on the construction and layout as well; a total protection is
surely impossible, although a high security level is achieved
for the connected consumers.
But all these solutions are just isolated applications preventing
these kinds of interferences and can only protect some [depending
on the model] devices.
Is
the cicable Power Source also an uninterruptible power supply
?
The cicable Power Source can only bridge voltage interruptions
for a short period, because voltage interruptions are nothing
less than »major« power supply fluctuations. A distinction
is drawn between voltage reduction in percent, also called »depth« and the period the drop–off is active. – The cicable Power Source
has the capability of sustaining [resp. regulating] the line voltage
for one or two periods, depending on kind, duration and »depth«.
Explanation: An uninterruptible power supply [UPS] is often
used in computer industry. These constructions sustain a minimum
voltage line for a certain period, even if the power interruption
persists for a long time. Often these constructions are combined
with isolating transformers or galvanic decoupled batteries, achieving
a simultaneous decoupling from the primary power supply. Admittedly
this denotes the build–up of a new AC voltage, e.g. by a chopper
[which doesn’t work quite distortion free].
Can
other devices be disturbed by the cicable PS2.4Q ?
This question is more than justified due to our previous explanations!
Also a »clean« power supply like the cicable PS2.4Q
is not absolutely distortion free. Particularly »on load«
all devices that are in the chain, react with their own distortions;
sometimes these interferences are even a multiple of what should
be improved by the operation of this device. The cicable PS2.4Q
impairs other connected devices with only 0.1% load regulation
at rated power.
Explanation:
By the way, this is also the reason why smaller models
aren’t clever. Small dimensioned models wouldn’t possess
the power reserves the cicable PS2.4Q has and would interfere
with other consumers. The second [no less important] argument
is that the cicable PS2.4Q operates like a buffer amplifier,
meaning the output is decoupled from the input by circuitry, and
all connected devices [consumers] don’t »see« eventual
cicable PS2.4Q interference.
Which
components are more sensitive to power quality: pre–amplifiers,
CD–players or power amps ?
That
depends on device construction and system configuration. Difficult
speakers demand more from final stage amps, particularly with
music that contains a lot of low frequencies energy than a quiet
middle accentuated violin quartet. The results are different in
both cases but definitely audible.
Does
the cicable Power Source feature a »balanced output« ?
The
amplifier output isn’t DC–isolated from the power line. VDE
precautions for dangerous touch voltage remain preserved.
A galvanic decoupling would be technically realizable. But please
bear in mind that we cannot assume liability for that. Particularly
not for components unable to operate conventionally due to their
missing safety ground connection.
Explanation: The PS2.4Q AC Power Source features a symmetrical
output stage completely decoupled from the primary power source;
the ground wire persists for qualitative reasons: Audio components
with class–1 electrical mains isolation must have a safety ground.
If missing, loss of quality, interferences or even safety problems
may occur [that’s why using isolating transformers without
a safety ground is absolutely not permitted!] By separating the
safety ground and neutral line, distortions commonly introduced
by ground–wires are being eliminated with the PS2.4Q Power Source.
Also see :: What are the advantages and
disadvantages of an isolating transformer?
Voltage
fluctuations can also be eliminated by magnetical voltage regulator,
can’t they?
As
a matter of principle: yes. But most voltage regulators compensate
fluctuations of the primary power supply in a relatively slow
and imprecise way. The cicable Power Source has an advantage in
comparison to a voltage regulator, because it fits to every system
configuration and additionally it’s largely unaffected by
connected consumer load.
Explanation:
Magnetic voltage regulators are primarily desgned for a power
frequency fluctuating between +/– 1.0%. Also they’re optimised
for a pure resistive load, equivalent to a Power Correction Factor
of Cos Phi = 1.0 [PCF :: voltage and power phase shift].
Anyway, the benefit of a voltage regulator is limited, as most
consumers have a different PCF. Otherwise the differing PCF must
be specified at the purchasing stage. This means that you would
eventually have to buy a new voltage regulator if you buy an amplifier
with another PCF in the future!
What
are the advantages and disadvantages of an isolating transformer?
IIn
contrast to isolating transformer the cicable Power Source keeps
the power constant with the smallest fluctuations, decoupling
the secondary power from the primary power line [like a transformer]
but keeping the effect of a ground wire.
Explanation:
In case of a 1:1
isolating transformer, the secondary power is DC–decoupled by
the principle of induction; there’s no electric connection.
But often the ground wire gets interrupted to, so connected devices
operate without safety ground.
Apart from not meeting standard requirements, dangerous voltages
are not grounded if defective class–1 devices are in use. This
means that in the event of damage insurers may deny payment.
Even
worse, some class–1 circuitry is electrically not »defined« without the ground wire; the required 0–volt reference for circuitry
operation is missing. The worst case is that such devices show
inexplicable defects, but in most cases they »sound« totally different.
Also see :: Does the cicable Power Source
feature a »balanced output« ?
What’s
the difference between the cicable Power Source and a DC–conditioner
?
The
DC–offset results in mechanical hum of transformers; particularly
with often used modern toroidal transformers. Dependant on its
qualitative construction it can also affect the operating voltage
and function of semiconductors. The cicable PS2.4Q Power Source
features the DC–interference suppression »automatically«,
because this phenomenon is just one amongst many others [see also
:: mainanomalies].
Does
the cicable Power Source feature a synthesizer ?
No,
the cicable Power Source is a pure analogue, linear power amplifier
with a distortion free oscillator.
How
does the cicable Power Source perform practically?
Like
any other device – turn on and forget. – Automatic protective
circuits prevent over voltages or illegal operating conditions.
Big CEEkom–plugs allow cable connections with more than 4x2.5
mm profile. A very silent temperature controlled fan prevents
the device from overheating. A FI–switch protects from device
malfunction.
Does
the cicable Power Source need additional accessories ?
No,
that’s the advantage of a »clean« power source.
Further accessories are not necessary, because all connected
devices are supplied by a clean, load–decoupled operating
power source.
At all events the use of high quality, shielded power cables can
prevent radio frequency interference [particularly in short–wave
range] from intruding. In general all power cables act like an
antenna and carry high frequency distortions into connected devices.
Tests with the cicable PC3+1 EMV have proven a damping up to 20dB.
Explanation:
Additionally we’d like to point out, that the use of different
power cable constructions has rather harmful consequences! Coupling
effects between contiguous cables give distortions the chance
to ‘leap’ between cables , nullifying the primary damping
effects. So if additional power cables are used they should have
similar construction.
Frequently
asked questions concerning the cicable PS2.4Q
::
file for download
all rights reserved – copyright 1998 > 2006