Crossover Power Ratings?

[shelby]

What do the power ratings on crossovers refer to? And how do they interact with the power ratings on my drivers?

Shelby S.

[damkor]

> What do the power ratings on crossovers
> refer to?

High power can burn resistors, which are basically small gauge wire. Ditto capacitors. Inductors aren't going to cook, but they stop acting as they are supposed to beyond a certain level of power.

And how do they interact with the
> power ratings on my drivers?

They don't.

[unknownuser]

> High power can burn resistors, which are
> basically small gauge wire. Ditto
> capacitors. Inductors aren't going to cook,
> but they stop acting as they are supposed to
> beyond a certain level of power.

> And how do they interact with the

> They don't.
Film caps don't burn up(when used at rated volyage), electrolytics will explode if feed too much power(current, I^2 X R losses).

Inductors have a maximum operating temperature at a given ambient temperature. What needs to be specified is the current that will cause it to reach this temperature. Knowing this and your driver impedance will tell you the maximum power your network can handle.

Unfortunately, sellers of crossovers and parts do not provide this kind of data.

In general it is not a problem for home use. PA is a different story.


(Originally posted by: djk)