Driverack failure

[bmf]

Played a small bar last night and had an issue I had never dealt with before. When powering everything up I was met with the most vicious ground fault I have ever seen. At least I believe that is what it was. The driverack went into a full clip and drove the signal to the amps (this must be what a lightning bolt sounds like in slow motion). It was shut down almost instantly as I was still in front of the rack. Can't believe I didn't notice the meters on the DR before I let the stepper bring the amps up!! No real damage except for a horn diaphragm. I patched into an Ashley analog crossover we keep in the rack for "just such" emergencies and the night went on. At tear down I found that the power cord that runs to the FOH rack and board had been moved. It is normally tied in to a power supply that is dedicated to the driverack. The rack had been moved during setup and the cord had been pulled and plugged into another extension cord. I can only assume that the cord it got plugged into wasn't properly grounded or the ground and neutral on one of the circuits was inverted. The only issue I have is I'm not sure this was the cause. I'm ordering a new one first thing Monday morning. I just don't trust the old one anymore. It has been in service for more years than I can remember and had screen issues anyway.

After this long explanation I was wondering if anybody else had ever had an issue with drawing from separate circuits causing ground faults this severe or is there probably an underlying issue with my driverack that allows this condition to exist.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

After this long explanation I was wondering if anybody else had ever had an issue with drawing from separate circuits causing ground faults this severe

It can happen. Get a pocket outlet tester, use it religiously. And keep idiots who would fool with your gear out of the FOH. 9mm of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[BrentEvans]

I have a Driverack pulled from an install which exhibits the same symptoms. DBX says its a bad DSP chip. They offer flat rate repair that was reasonable.. I just didn't need it so never sent it.

[bmf]

While on the subject. Does the PA+ have the quicker auto EQ like the PA2 or am I still going to be dealing with 3 to 4 minute pink noise sessions?

[Bruce Weldy]

While on the subject. Does the PA+ have the quicker auto EQ like the PA2 or am I still going to be dealing with 3 to 4 minute pink noise sessions?

The PA+ is much, much faster than the PA. I was really pleasantly surprised first time I used the PA+.

[bmf]

The PA+ is much, much faster than the PA. I was really pleasantly surprised first time I used the PA+.

Good to hear. I always hate trying to explain why I need to make so much noise to the facility/bar/club.
I had considered the PA2 but don't really need the remote functions. I can get all the needed functions from the plus version and was wishful the speed increases had been incorporated.

I'm looking forward to the day when full crossover/limiter/delay functions are included on low cost digital boards and stage boxes. It would be great to remove yet another link in the chain.

[byacey]

I have a Driverack pulled from an install which exhibits the same symptoms. DBX says its a bad DSP chip. They offer flat rate repair that was reasonable.. I just didn't need it so never sent it.

Check the power supply +/- 15V rails after the regulators, losing one of the rails can exhibit the described problem.