Line Conditioner Basics Explained

Line conditioners, also called power conditioners, filter and smooth the power stream to electric load equipment in order to improve power quality. Conditioners for home and office use have ten or more outlets or receptacles. The line conditioner delivers AC power and serves to provide transient impulse protection and noise filtering. Some of the models also provide phone line, cable and Ethernet conditioning.

Surge Protectors and Line Conditioners

Surge protectors guard against damages that are due to unanticipated spikes in the electric current. In contrast, line conditioners clean the signal in order to eliminate possible interference on the line. They help to provide higher quality cable TV, better modem throughput, and enhanced audio and video for home theaters.

Line Conditioner Specifications

Line conditioners come with internal filter banks which serve to isolate the individual receptacles or power outlets on the conditioner. In this way, interference between its components is eliminated. If the device is intended for home use, the noise suppression rating, expressed in decibels, is important. A rating in the range of 40 to 50 db guarantees good noise filtering. Line conditioners also come with a joule rating which specifies the amount of energy that can be absorbed by the suppressor in case of sudden spikes in the electric current. Devices with higher joule rating provide better protection.