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New Theon from 9 Corporation Provides Complete Three Line Protective Solution

Jun 01, 2005

MODEL NAME: Theon INL08000 - 9 Corporation and Vortex Technologies strategic partnership has established a new standard for electrical transient and surge suppression for electronic equipment. The new Theon technology provides a unique point of protection device that offers true 3-line (Live-Neutral-Ground) protection in a convenient, cost-effective package. The Theon technology currently out-performs all other �traditional� surge suppression products on the market for point of protection applications. Prior to this breakthrough there was no way to protect Live, Neutral, and Ground with a single product. The Theon technology, originally driven by demand in the audio/video and security industries to keep ground �clean�, uses continuous attenuation to filter out interference on the ground line caused by a myriad of external influences and power quality issues. The idea to bring together two superior technologies was a natural progression. �Combining 9 Corporation�s patented GTT (Ground Transient Terminator) technology with the proven reliability of the Vortex AC multi-stage surge suppression circuit brings a truly unique product to the marketplace�, explains Lloyd DeShane Managing Technical Director of 9 Corporation. The name Theon comes from the Greek �thea� symbolizing completeness. It also relates to the number 3, which in our case means 3-line protection.

The Theon takes the combination of normal-mode and common-mode protection philosophies one-step further. The continuous attenuation circuit which forms a key part of the Theon is built upon on 9 Corporation�s own UL recognized GTT technology. The GTT works by opposing changes in electron flow on the ground wire while not compromising intrinsic ground safety. Additionally, the Theon utilizes multistage non-degrading surge suppression along with common-mode filtering to eliminate power surges and sags. The multi-stage surge suppression circuit has an active response time of less than one nanosecond while maintaining continuous high frequency filtering on ground, extremely beneficial when protecting sensitive microprocessor-based equipment.

Typical surge suppression products are designed to "clip" transient voltages to a specified level. Unless the transient voltage is at or above this specified level, the surge suppression circuit is ineffective. The Theon successfully removes low amplitude transients (EMI/RFI) with frequencies ranging from 0.1Hz to 100MHz. These low amplitude transients will not cause outright damage to equipment, but can cause malfunction and premature degradation of electronic circuitry, leading to shortened equipment life and increased service requirements. This is known as cumulative interference and is a common problem in homes and installations.

The Problem: With microprocessors now consistently being designed to run on lower voltages, the issue of power quality is vital in today�s ever growing world of electronic dependency. The electronics industry is moving the bar with regards to the demand of continuous clean power. Newer microprocessor systems are designed to operate at lower voltages using smaller trace widths, making the components more susceptible to transient interference. Transient interference has always been a serious issue, now it has reached a new degree of concern.

Traditional thinking with regards to surge protection focuses on the fact that sags and surges only originate on the Live or Neutral lines. Surge protection equipment offers protection by shunting voltage surges to ground. This approach totally relies on the fact that the ground connection is the shortest path to ground itself, thereby offering the path of least resistance. However, this is almost never the case as both ground and neutral are tied together at a common distribution point. Pulses shunted to the ground plane are thereby forced through the �protected� appliance to take the neutral path to ground. This is why in larger installations traditional methods of surge protection fail to provide the performance expected. Local point grounding can improve the situation but often creates ground loops that should be avoided.

Recent innovations from the Power Quality Industry have shown clear benefits in not using ground as a path for removing interference. Instead, such technology described as �Non-MOV� uses a reactor coil to dissipate voltage interference as heat. This technology is a step in the right direction, however while not polluting the ground, it does nothing to remove interference from ground itself.

Ground Transients, are any catastrophic or cumulative interference that are evident on the ground. Ground transients can result from a variety of phenomena including device switching, proximity lightning strikes and inappropriate shared grounding. Regardless of the source, they are a frequent problem and can cause significant disruption to the operation of microprocessor-based equipment. Microprocessor circuits are constantly measuring logic voltages against the "zero voltage reference" or ground. Its decisions are the result of discrimination of one rapid voltage transition from another, making a clean and quiet electrical ground essential. When a ground transient spike reaches the microprocessor this will cause a voltage deviation. If a significant potential difference exists, the transient is able to arc between processor pins causing system lockups, communication errors, reduced operating productivity, unreliable data, fragmented hard drives, and often catastrophic damage to equipment that otherwise can not be duplicated or explained.

The Electrical Power Research Institute has conducted studies that indicate up to 80% of all power quality problems are attributable to inadequate electrical grounding, wiring, and interactions between loads within a facility.

Applications, include fire and security systems, home theater and audio/video, computer network and data protection, telecom, point of sale terminals, process and access control systems.

Installation is simple and comes with easy-to-follow steps. The Theon can be installed or retrofitted into any existing electronic equipment within a commercial facility or home.

The Theon is available in two models. The model INL08000 is a hard wired version that provides screw terminals for interconnection. The model INL08001 (available August 2005) is a line-corded version allowing easy connectivity to PC-based systems.

120 VAC with maximum 15 amp continuous current rating (details of 240 VAC 10A version are available on request). Standard Operating Temperature: -20 to +70 degrees C. Surge life >100,000 Hrs

Ground attenuation between 50 kHz to 2.0 GHz. Weight: 23.98 oz. L=7.87 inches, W=3.94 inches, H= 1.97 inches

Contact 9 Corporation at (630) 762-1148 Chicago or (623) 583-9601 Phoenix or http://www.9corp.com

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