[ldj325]

I have both tube and solid state class A amps. Although I turn them off when I am not going to be around for a long time (except for burn in where I have left them on for days running), I often turn them on and leave them unattended for up to 2-3 hours during a day or evening listening time.

Is there a realistic danger of fire being started by an amp--especially a tube amp, but also with SS amp if left unattended for 2-3 hours? And in each case I would be referring to quality built "commercial" amps (Singlepower tube and RudiStor SS in my case), so nothing cheapie or shoddily constructed.

I assume that there is some, very minute danger with any electrical device that is plugged in. So that is not what I am talking about.

 

[zipdisk]

As you mention, there is always some danger of fire. If you are worried, I would first check that all your equipment has good ventilation and that there is nothing flamable near it. Also check that your wiring is good shape (eg no hard, cracked insulation). Then I would turn everything on (maximum electrical draw and maximum heat) for several hours while you are home. Feel the equipment, is any of it hot as opposed to warm? Do you notice a hot smell? This should better inform your worry and, hopefully, help you resolve the issue. Having said that, I also think it is important to follow your instrincts--if you are worried, listen to yourself and take action. Better safe than sorry.

 

[zipdisk]

One other suggestion. Check to see if any of your equipment appears to have been damaged. Of course, I can not know whether your fear is justified or not.

 

[ldj325]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipdisk /img/forum/go_quote.gif As you mention, there is always some danger of fire. If you are worried, I would first check that all your equipment has good ventilation and that there is nothing flamable near it. Also check that your wiring is good shape (eg no hard, cracked insulation). Then I would turn everything on (maximum electrical draw and maximum heat) for several hours while you are home. Feel the equipment, is any of it hot as opposed to warm? Do you notice a hot smell? This should better inform your worry and, hopefully, help you resolve the issue. Having said that, I also think it is important to follow your instrincts--if you are worried, listen to yourself and take action. Better safe than sorry.

I don't think I would call it a fear. I'm more looking at proper precautions to follow. I have done most of what you suggest and so far and everything is negative, except that the bottom of a wood shelf is about 6 1/2" above the tallest output tube and about 9" above the SS amp. And both amps set on a wood shelf.

I started this thread to get information so that I could alter my listening strategy/other behaviors if necessary. It would be a drag (especially with the tube amp) to have to turn the amps off everytime I was out of the listening room, but if necessary, I would.

 

[gz76]

As above. Also, ensure your equipment is CE approved - there should be a label on the back to this effect. A lot of insurance companies won't pay out for electrical fires if they determine that a fire started from an uncertified device.

 

[jamato8]

With SS I never worried and never had a problem over he years. With tube, I have never had a problem but having built tube equipment and knowing what tubes can to if they short internally, I don't leave them on if I am going out. Tube preamps don't worry me at all but amps, class A, can, if not fused correctly, get hot if the tube goes and the transformer could in extreme cases, catch fire but that would be extreme. I have read of it happening.

 

[riceboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamato8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif With SS I never worried and never had a problem over he years. With tube, I have never had a problem but having built tube equipment and knowing what tubes can to if they short internally, I don't leave them on if I am going out. Tube preamps don't worry me at all but amps, class A, can, if not fused correctly, get hot if the tube goes and the transformer could in extreme cases, catch fire but that would be extreme. I have read of it happening.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to make sure to leave my tube amps off if I go out. I don't worry about the SS amps as well. If the ventilation is good and they don't feel burning hot to the touch I feel they're fine.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by riceboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the info. I'm going to make sure to leave my tube amps off if I go out. I don't worry about the SS amps as well. If the ventilation is good and they don't feel burning hot to the touch I feel they're fine.

That's the right approach. SS is fine to leave on all the time, but tube amps should be turned off if you are out of the house, IMO, esp. if you are using older tubes (both of the tubes that are currently in my DV 336i are more than 50 years old...)

 

[PFKMan23]

I don't think a blanket statement can be made. Depending on how an amp is designed, regardless of SS or tube, either can run fairly hot and in that case I'd turn them off.

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFKMan23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't think a blanket statement can be made. Depending on how an amp is designed, regardless of SS or tube, either can run fairly hot and in that case I'd turn them off.

Very true. I dont think I would ever leave my Monarchy SM 70 Pro SS amp on 24/7. This amp runs hotter than all but two of my thirteen tube amps.

 

[Skylab]

Good point, a SS amp biased heavily into class A shouldn't be left on when you are out of the house anyway, just for energy conservation reasons.