SurgeX’s Andy Benton and Jim Brown of Audio Systems Group
to instruct Powerful Class at NSCA Expo 2007

January 2007
Pipersville, PA

Chief engineer Andy Benton of SurgeX and renowned consultant Jim Brown of Audio Systems Group have collaborated to offer a dynamic class on the world of AC Power and Grounding as they relate to Audio Video Systems.

“Power conditioning, surge protection, and esoteric cables are often likened to the modern equivalent of the carnival barker's snake oil. Limited project budgets are squandered on products that not only have little value, but can also cause more problems than they solve. On the other hand, very simple, long established, and well understood design techniques are far more effective, often with no additional cost”, Benton commented.

Jim Brown notes, “Power systems require an earth connection for lightning safety, an earthed neutral, and a bond between neutral and all exposed equipment that may become energized. This bonding protects personnel from electrical shock and is a critical element of fire safety. In our systems, audio and video equipment installed at widely separated locations is interconnected, often using unbalanced interfaces that make the wiring sensitive to noise voltages on the safety ground. Power systems must be designed to minimize these voltages, and audio/video equipment and systems must be designed and installed to work properly with proper grounding in place”.

The basic mechanisms by which noise invades audio/video systems are identified, and effective solutions are described. Surge suppression and power conditioning concepts are presented. The Instructors present the fundamental science in simple, easy to understand language, and without "hiding behind math and big words”.

Class # CTK18 Learning objectives:
At the end of this class, participants should be able to:
• Understand how proper grounding provides safety for personnel and property
• Understand how hum, buzz, and other noise is coupled into audio/video systems
• Understand power quality issues and specify solid, cost effective solutions
• Design audio/video installations that are safe, conform to building codes, and provide reliable, noise-free operation

Andrew Benton
SurgeX

Andrew Benton received his engineering degree from Cambridge University in England in 1976, and after graduation, worked for Kent Industrial Measurements in Cambridge. Moving to the United States in 1980, he worked as a design engineer for General Electric and Unisys, specializing in instrumentation, computers and industrial controls.

In 1994, with two partners, he formed New Frontier Electronics, out of which SurgeX grew, and where he has been director of engineering since 1995.

Jim Brown
Audio Systems Group

Jim Brown (BSEE, University of Cincinnati, 1964) has worked in broadcasting and pro audio since 1960. His consulting practice, established in 1985, designs systems for worship, performance, and sports facilities. More recently, his focus has expanded to include research, publication, and consulting on EMC issues.

He is a Fellow of the Audio Engineering Society, Vice-Chair of the AES Standards Committee Working Group on EMC, and a member of the Acoustical Society of America, the Society of Broadcast Engineers, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, the AES Technical Committee on Acoustics and Sound Reinforcement, and the AES Standards Committee's Working Groups on Microphones, Intelligibility, Acoustic and Sound Source Modeling, Digital Audio Transmission, and Audio Connectors.

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Contact:
Michael McCook
SurgeX
215-766-1240