Denford Software & Machines

Just wondering if anyone knows where to get a replacement or an equivalent IEC surge filtered Inlet power connector for the Orac.... mine went fizzle-pop with smoke last night, and I have removed the IEC panel socket, but Bulgin don't seem to list or make that part anymore.

In a nutshell, what has everyone else done for the electrical noise suppression etc?

I would have a look at RS Components and see what they have to see if they have any compatible units. Regarding filtering I've used a modern AC inverter from Inverter Drive Supermarket, no connection, but because it was an industrial noise rated unit to be used on a domestic supply I fitted an EMC filter on the supply to filter any noise it might put back on the house mains, see https://inverterdrive.com/group/EMC-Filters/ , these should filter out industrial level noise to a domestic level. I have also done this on my inverter TIG welder supply as it was upsetting the ADSL modem at times and it works fine now, I have yet to do this for my Orac as it upsets the ADSL modem as well so a more suitable filter is in order.

Cheers for that ... basically the filter/choke is there not so much to protect the Orac as such, but more to stop domestic interference? Just curious so I know if I can get back to machining by bypassing the filtered IEC inlet I would be far better to 'down tools' and wait until I get myself a mains filter unit (be-it an in-line/chassis mount device or a like-for-like filtered IEC inlet)

I think they work both ways but I'm not an expert on the subject. Certainly as I mentioned before my Orac does put a certain amount of electrical noise back on the mains. I had a look earlier at RS and it looked like they had some likely candidates depending on what the current rating is see http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/connector ... let+filter that lists 57 and this is one of them http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-filters/3864188/ , and another higher current one http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-filters/4540962/ , there are others in that style. If you look at the IEC filters section you'll have to set some filters or you be scrolling through pages all evening as it lists 1779 items, sometimes RS just has too much stuff to chose from.