IEC filter and light bulb limiter

[pbrommer]

Hello-
Quick question: I installed an IEC filter on a working amp to cut down on some hum/Buzz/stuff. I live in an older house and there are overhead power lines, so I'm guessing there's interference.
After I installed the IEC filter, I checked the amp (was working, just out of the cabinet for other reasons) with a light bulb limiter. With a 15 watt bulging glowed quite bright with a gz34 to check voltages. Should I be concerned or am I okay? I really don't want to blow the PT. Thanks for your help.

Patrick

[Phil_S]

15W bulb is going to be much brighter than a 40W bulb. To get proper readings on the amp, you have to run it without the bulb limiter. If you are concerned, increase the bulb rating. Then eliminate it.

[armillary]

If the question is "how do I select what wattage light bulb to use on the light bulb limiter for my amp," I think the easiest answer is to look for the manufacturers label on the outside of your amp that specifies the voltage and power in watts it uses. (Not the audio output watts, the input watts.) Then use that size light bulb, or a little smaller. With a single GZ34 rectifier (around 800 ma) I imagine your amp uses between 75 and 100 watts, so that's the right bulb.

Using Ohm's law will get you the same answer.

Hopefully others will correct me if I'm off base.

[pbrommer]

I usually use a 15W bulb to severely limit the current so I don't blow anything up (almost did the first time I built this amp!). But, I will give it a try with a 40W bulb when I get home. I was just concerned that the IEC filter might cause something weird to happen, but after I looked over my wiring, it looks good.
I'm just trying to make sure I don't let the smoke out of the PT.

Patrick