2. tech-talk
  3. 142378-4181

Threat of fire from audio equipment

Just read Art Dudley's new piece in Stereophile, and found myself becoming all sorts of worried. For many, many years now, I've left solid state equipment powered on -- except during thunderstorms or when heading away from home for extended periods. Now, I'm rethinking this practice.

See Mr. Dudley's article here:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-193-nordost-flatline-cables

My questions:

Is what happened to him the rarest of things, like someone's being struck by lightning? Is putting an amp (or another piece) into standby mode any better than leaving it on -- when it comes to preventing fire, that is -- or can a unit in standby mode burst into flames just like one that's powered on fully? Do others worry about fire? As much as I appreciate a fully warmed-up system, if fire is a legitimate concern, I'll routinely switch things off when I'm not around and listening. Or about to listen.

I'd love to learn what others -- especially those who understand engineering and electricity -- do with their equipment.

Thanks very much.

Howard
 
hodu

Showing 2 responses by viridian

viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I hear the that most solid state amps catch fire.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
In order to have fire, one needs a source of ignition, oxygen and fuel. It would seem to follow that any component with a completely enclosed case would, after ignition, consume the oxygen contained within the case, and then self extinguish. 

Now if the case got hot enough and it was in contact with a gas can or something, then it could be the source of ignition, but I should think this highly unlikely. 
More to discover