Based on our recent service experience, power surges are becoming more common and more destructive. Surges are caused by power utility disruptions, storms, and defective or poorly designed appliances and building systems. Commercial surge protector devices can be effective protection against this type of surge. If there is a history of nearby lightning strikes, special precautions, such as installing building lightning arrestors, can be taken -- at considerable expense. Due to the energy involved, there is no practical means to provide absolute protection against damage if your site is directly struck by lightning.

Unfortunately, in our experience, high tech (expensive) systems seem more vulnerable to surges. We don't attribute this to any particular design flaw. These systems are usually larger, perhaps encompassing the whole house, and thus are more likely to get in the way of a surge. We see more surge related damage from suburban locations than center city.

Your first line of defense is a properly designed, installed, and maintained electrical system. The second line is a good quality, properly installed surge suppressor. Expect to pay at least $50.00 for a quality unit. If you are using an outside antenna, follow the manufacturers grounding instructions and install lightning and static protection on the antenna lead-in.

An excellent preventative strategy is disconnecting sensitive units from the wall outlet, outside antenna, TV cable, and telephone connections during nearby thunderstorm activity or during a long vacation when the system will not be used.

Related to surges is a problem specific to modern microprocessor controlled components. Very brief power disturbances, static electricity discharges, and an occasional cosmic ray may cause the microcomputer to "lock-up" and stop responding to controls. Anyone who has used a desktop computer is aware of a similar event, "THE CRASH", when the keyboard stops responding. These "crashes" and "lock-ups", while not always physically destructive, require user action. The cures are nearly identical for computers and audio. We must "reset" the system. For your computer you would briefly turn off the power, then restart the system. Your stereo system is slightly different.

Most remote controlled audio components never turn completely off when you operate the POWER switch. POWER switches on microcomputer controlled units are almost a misnomer because they only turnoff the lights and stop the motors. The microcomputer must continue operation while waiting for potential remote control commands or timer events. Reset your system by removing the system power for at least twenty seconds. We emphasize system power because interconnected components sometimes interchange information. One component may not be responding to command because of a lock-up related problem in another unit.

Less than one percent of our customers have reported one of these lock-up events. If you experience more than one lock-up per year, further investigation is warranted.