JuiceGoose Rackpower 320 User manual

OWNERS MANUAL
PROFESSIONAL POWER PRODUCTS
JUICE GOOSE
7320 Ashcroft, Suite 104
Houston, Texas 77081
p: 713-772-1404
f: 713-772-7360
e: [email protected]
www.juicegoose.com
RACKPOWER 320
GROUND LOOP CONTROL
SYSTEM
03-01

Congratulations, you have purchased the professional solution to ground loop problems.
The Juice Goose Rackpower 320 is a single space, rack mountable AC power distribution
and protection module with individual ground loop control switches and a ground fault
interrupt circuit, plus:
* An all steel Tour Class(tm) chassis
* Ten 120 volt power outputs
* Fifteen amp, 1200 watt current rating
* Multi-stage EMI/RFI filtration
* MOV Matrix voltage spike protection
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The Rackpower 320 is designed to operate with 120VAC, 60 Hz. Operation with 220 or
240 volts will damage the unit and possibly cause personal injury.
Follow the test procedure indicated on the Ground Fault Interupt Circuit before each use.
Do not use the Rackpower 320 if the unit fails this test.
CAUTIONS
1. Although the Rackpower 320 is a ground loop control device and has ground
lift capability, the Rackpower 320 device itself must be grounded. Defeating the unit’s
grounding capability could create a hazard.
2. There are no user serviceable parts inside the Rackpower 320. Do not attempt
service yourself. Contact Juice Goose as directed in this manual if service is required.
3. The Ground Fault Interrupt Circuit will not protect from electric shock due to
defects in the main power supply line or from contacting both the hot and neutral circuit
conductors at the same time.
4. Do not expose the Rackpower 320 to moisture. Avoid severe physical impacts
to the unit.
NOTICE OF INTENDED USE
The ground lift capability of this unit is provided for the express purpose of locating and
diagnosing the source of a ground loop occurring between multiple pieces of audio equip-
ment. Once located, the ground loop should be corrected at the source and the related
equipment should be re-grounded.
DISCLAIMER
Juice Goose shall under no circumstances be held responsible for any loss, damage or in-
jury resulting from the use of the Rackpower 320 in a manner inconsistent with any of the
procedures outlined in this document. The user is responsible for determining whether this
product is appropriate for the intended application.
Juice Goose is not responsible for any indirect, secondary or ancillary loss or damage,
including personal injury, loss of or damage to property or loss of income resulting from
the operation or failure of this unit.
SPECIFICATIONS

FRONT PANEL
Power On/Off Switch –This lighted rocker switch is located on the left
hand side of the chassis. The switch will light when the Rackpower 320 is
on.
Ground Control Switches –Ten switches, each on controls the grounding
lead to a single electrical outlet on the back of the unit. The switch numbers
correspond with the numbers of the receptacles.
When the switch is in the “Lift” position it will break the connection between
the particular receptacle and the main safety ground connection on the power
cord.
Light Connector –A BNC style connector is located on the right side of the
chassis and will accommodate a 12 volt gooseneck type work light such as
the style manufactured by CAE under the brand name “Littlelite”. (The light
is not included with the Rackpower 320.)
Light Control Switch –When this switch is in the “Up” position it will acti-
vate power to the light connector.
REAR PANEL
AC Outlets –These ten outlets (NEMA 5-15R) are rated for current loads up
to 15 amps at 120 volts. The ground connections can be individually
switched off via the ground lift switches on the front of the Rackpower 320.
Breaker –A resettable, thermal circuit breaker protects the unit from cur-
DIMENSIONS (INCHES) 1.72 x 19.00 x 9.00
WEIGHT (LBS) 10
POWER INPUT 120 VAC, 60Hz
POWER OUTLETS 10 SINGLE NEMA 5-15R
CHASSIS DESIGN TOUR CLASS –UNIBODY
CHASSIS FINISH POWDER COAT ENAMEL
POWER CORD 7 FOOT, 16/3 SJT
CURRENT CAPACITY 15 AMPS
GROUND FAULT INTERRUPT CLASS A, LEVITON MFG, #6593

rent overloads. If the breaker trips check for a malfunction in equipment
plugged into the Rackpower 320. Also check to be certain the total current
requirement of the equipment plugged into the Rackpower 320 does not ex-
ceed 15 amps.
The circuit breaker may be reset. Wait 30 seconds after the breaker trips,
turn off the main unit power switch and push the center button on the
breaker back into its original position. Then turn on the main power switch.
POWER CORD
&
GROUND FAULT INTERRUPT CIRCUIT
The power input cable is specified as 16/3 SJT, capable of handling 15
amps of current at 120 volts.
The Ground Fault Interrupt Circuit (GFIC) is a Class A, UL recognized de-
vice. This circuit provides ground fault and open neutral protection.
This unit is rain or moisture proof but care should be taken to keep this
component and the entire Rackpower 320 dry. There are no user serviceable
parts inside the GFIC. Do not open this housing. If the unit requires repair,
contact Juice Goose directly.
TESTING –To test the unit it must be plugged into a grounded outlet. The
pilot light should go on. Press the “Test” button. The pilot light should go
off. Press the “Reset” button and release it. The pilot light must go back on
for the unit to indicate proper operating capability.
INTERNAL PROTECTION COMPONENTS
EMI/RFI FILTER –This multi-stage pi-type filter suppresses electromag-
netic (EMI) and radio frequency (RFI) interference carried on the incoming
AC power line. The result is a cleaner, higher resolution AC output.
VOLTAGE SPIKE PROTECTION –Three metal oxide varistors (MOV)
engineered into a matrix design protect equipment from dangerous high
voltage events that can damage equipment.
OPERATION

Test the Ground Fault Interrupt Circuit before using the Rackpower 320.
Place all Ground Control Switches in the “Ground” position. Connect all
desired equipment and turn on the Rackpower 320.
A ground loop is one of the causes of annoying low frequency “hum”
that can appear in an audio system when several pieces of equipment are
connected to the same power source. To test for a ground loop lift the
Ground Control Switch to a single outlet, beginning with outlet #1 and
continuing with #2, #3 and so on until the ground hum disappears or is
greatly reduced compared to the original volume.
Through this process the hum may have been eliminated, but some
grounds have been unnecessarily lifted that belong to equipment that
was not causing the hum. Leaving the last outlet you operated in the
“Lifted” position, the Ground Control Switches should be returned one
at a time to the “Ground” position. If the hum returns after grounding a
particular outlet that outlet should be relifted.
Note that if equipment is connected to the Rackpower 320 by a power
cord that does not have a 3rd pin ground, lifting the ground to that outlet
will have no effect.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The Rackpower 320 is ruggedly designed and constructed from high
quality components to give years of dependable power for your equip-
ment. It requires neither maintenance or adjustment. In the unlikely
event of malfunction, the following checklist will be helpful.
OBSERVATIONS
1. The Rackpower 320 will not come on or turns itself off.
a. Check that the power switch is in the “on” position.
b. Check to see that the unit is plugged in.
c. Make sure main AC line power is available from the source.
d. Check that the ground fault interrupt circuit has been set and
that the pilot light is on. If this protection circuit will not
reset it may be experiencing a dangerous ground or neu
tral fault. Unplug the Rackpower 320 and contact a
qualified electrical technician.
e. Check that the circuit breaker is not tripped and that the cur-
rent load on the unit does not exceed its rated 15 amp capacity. If the

breaker is tripped, remove sufficient current load to reduce the total to
no more than 15 amps, wait approximately 30 seconds after the trip-
ping, turn off the main power switch and push in the circuit breaker
button.
2. The ground lift switches have no effect on the ground loop
noise.
a. Check if the equipment powered by the Rackpower 320 is
connected with a grounded (3-prong) plug. The ground
lift switches can have no effect on equipment which
does not use a third wire grounding connection.
b. Examine the source of the noise. If the noise is not a very
low frequency, 60 cycle hum, lifting the grounds will
have no effect. Research other solutions.
If an observed problem is not listed here, if it can not be remedied and
particularly if the problem seems severe or dangerous, discontinue use
of the Rackpower 320 and contact Juice Goose directly.
REPAIR
Should your Rackpower 320 need service contact Juice Goose of as-
sistance and authorization to return the unit. PLEASE NOTE: a return
authorization number is required in order for the service personnel to
correctly and promptly identify, repair and return your unit.
You may obtain a Return Authorization Number by calling: 713-772-
1404 or sending email to [email protected].