(random) AC and plasma tv on same surge protector

[SNAAKE]

air conditioner and a 42" plasma on same surge protector effect anything? like..BREAK THE TV (lol) or anything like that?

[drventure]

I wouldn't. An AC unit is a pretty high draw device and can cause fluctuations on the power line. You'd want the plasma to be isolated from that is at all possible.

[SNAAKE]

I only have 1 outlet in my room and the plug from the ac unit covers both. I should get another surge protector for the ac?

[boykster]

I'd get that TV on a ups.  Brownouts are no joke when it comes to modern TVs.

Yep - that's what I'd do.  power strip for AC unit, small UPS for the plasma.

[MonMotha]

I'd generally recommend that the air conditioner be plugged straight into the wall.  I'd also recommend it have its own circuit, but that probably isn't possible, here

Get a quality surge suppressor/noise filter or UPS for the TV and anything else electronic.  While brownouts are no joke, they're unlikely to actually hurt the TV.  The cruddy power output of a cheap UPS MIGHT, but it's also probably fine.  The power supplies in these things are surprisingly tolerant. They'll usually run off DC!  My biggest concern would generally be harmonic injection back into the utility line by the air conditioner, but that's unlikely to actually affect anything with a modern switch-mode supply like all modern flat panel TVs have.

[SNAAKE]

well I had the tv hooked up to a surge protector for like 3 years and its still working fine.

the AC used to be connected directly on the wall outlet but I need another power source for an arcade cabinet(its lcd..isnt drawing much power).

what kind of UPS do I need for the plasma?? I will check that avsforums too and see what those guys are doing.

[Ed_McCarron]

My biggest concern would generally be harmonic injection back into the utility line by the air conditioner, but that's unlikely to actually affect anything with a modern switch-mode supply like all modern flat panel TVs have.

Ferroresonant transformer?  A few of my computers live inside of an old ONEAC unit...  I believe they do make small ones, but would it be overkill?

[MonMotha]

Ferroresonant transformers are pretty dirty, but I wouldn't expect to see one in a window air conditioner.  Was I'm thinking is during turn-on and turn-off.  Those can be pretty dirty events that inject lots of nasties back into the utility line.  They're short lived, at least.  A modern SMPS in a TV should be pretty tolerant of all that crap, though, as long as the peak voltage isn't terribly high.  Many are actually "universal input" that will operate off up to 240VAC and hence have quite a bit of headroom on 120V US circuits.

The reason for plugging it directly into the wall is simply a loading issue.  No reason to subject a power strip to that unnecessarily.

[Ed_McCarron]

Ah, no, not on  the AC... For the TV.  Would it help stabilize the power, or am I misunderstanding the application of that type of transformer?

[MonMotha]

Depending on the design of the ferroresonant transformer, the output may be dirtier (in terms of harmonics) than the input, though the voltage would probably be steadier.  Honestly, the power supply in your TV doesn't care.  Just put a good surge protector on it to keep out the REALLY nasty stuff (which a CVT might let through to some degree, anyway), and call it good.

[Ed_McCarron]

Huh.  Remind me to give the guy that sells me these things a stern talking to...