amp protection during thunderstorm and peak

[mike c]

I was watching a movie last night during a thunderstorm when the 1077 amp went into protection during a peak in sound. I turned it off and on ... and proceeded to watch again. (happened twice)

what's going on? what does the thunderstorm have to do with it?

(I have a voltage regulator)

[PewterTA]

did the voltage change during watching, when there's thunder, there's lightning...so there definitely could've been a change in the voltage that threw the amp into protection mode. Which is why I don't use my stuff (and unplug) when there's a good thunder/lightningstorm going on.

[mjb]

I wonder if grounding is the reason? If lighting strikes somewhere and the ground gets energised, there could be more than a couple of volts between earth and neutral - the Amps protection will probably cut in in that case.

[Arneson]

I just wondered because I took a direct hit recently.

Were you watching, satelite, cable, off air, or dvd?
The sat antenna must be grounded to an earth rod as well as the cable.

I found out how crazy a bolt can be.

[mike c]

dvd ... I do hear the voltage regulators absorb some fluctuations a lot during thunderstorms. (I hear the clicking sound from the AVRs) crappy electricity over here.

but if the AVRs are absorbing the fluctuations, there shouldnt be a change in the supply right? and it happened during a peak in the movie.

[soundhound]

What speaks do you use?
Could be the impedance is dipping close to an ohm or 2 during peak passages. Not sure what the amp is rated @ but during a big low frequency shot the resistance the amp sees can be close to a short.

[mike c]

the speaks are infinity beta 50 towers ... 90+db sensitivity, 8ohms.
amp is rotel rmb 1077 I have 4 channels bi-amping the beta 50 towers. 100w highs 100w lows (which should further negate ohm dip)

but I have hammered this amp more on ordinary days and it didnt really break a sweat. I feel that the thunderstorm had something to do with it ... but I dont know how ...

and the movie was mr. and mrs. smith during the shootout at the mall.

[Arneson]

If your dipping than current draw goes up.
You may have a brownout effect.