X21 mains filter 1 µF | capacity filter against dirty electricity

The X21 mains filter dampens voltage peaks in the power supply network (alternating current).

The X21 mains filter is a great and effective accessory for mains disconnectors, also called mains decouplers. The X21 has a capacity of 1 µF (microfarad) compared to the X25 with 4.7 µF (microfarad).

The mains filter fulfills several functions at the same time, to the benefit of the person and the technology in the mains disconnector:

• Dampening of voltage peaks in the supply network of the power supply (“dirty power” or “dirty electricity”).
• Improvement of mains disconnectors’ EMC properties.
• Increase of the mains disconnector’s switching stability.

X21 mains filter – convincing and universally applicable!

The X21 mains filter is an additional measure for the general improvement of the network quality of the circuit that is protected by the mains disconnector (mains decoupler). The X21 mains filter is effective regardless of the brand, type, or switch status of the mains decoupler.

Installing the X21 mains filter

The X21 mains filter can be installed in many ways or places. The X25 line is installed in the L phase (live wire / black or brown) and the neutral conductor N (blue or gray).

• In addition to the mains disconnector in the fuse box
• In the circuit by the fuse in the fuse box
• Straight into the socket (flush-mounted / surface-mounted)

In order to increase its effect, it is also possible to connect the mains filter in series, in other words, connecting several “next to one another”, but we do not recommend more than 3 pieces, because the additional effect of the mains filter will be very minimal. Because of its small measurements, the X21 is ideal for local installation directly into the socket within the same circuit. This has a “cooperative” effect on the individual X21 mains filter in the same circuit.

What is dirty power or dirty electricity?

Dirty power is the potential of interference on the power lines and the resulting impact. It is a technical part of the harmonic waves in the power grid, and it is also the biological/sonic consequences. These stem from the effect of the harmonic waves in the power grid on the human body.

Video on filtering dirty electricity via Stetzer Filter:

The following video shows very clearly the load in the circuit due to these voltage peaks in the house electricity alternating current network. Our own measurements with the Stetzer Microsurge Meter in different households show us a very different load in the individual households – very often well over 300 GS units. Exposure to dirty electricity should be less than 50 GS, ideally less than 25 GS. The GS unit was named after Graham and Stetzer.

Note: We use the Stetzer Meter to detect dirty electricity, but not the Stetzer Filters to attenuate it.

Which is why we use capacitance filters as mains filters instead of Stetzer filters!

Quite clearly – the Stetzer filters work and are effective! However, after testing numerous Stetzer filters, we had to recognize that they do not work together with mains isolators or mains decouplers. As soon as these filters are plugged in, the mains switch no longer switches off because there is too much continuous consumption through these filters. So the conclusion: Either a mains switch without solving dirty electricity or a strong improvement of dirty power but no more mains switch. In addition, we were able to identify clear magnetic fields produced by Stetzer filters during the final measurement of Stetzer filters.

The Stetzer Filter works wonderfully – no issues there. However, after testing many Stetzer Filters, we had to recognize that these do not work with mains disconnectors or mains decouplers. As soon as these filters are plugged in, the mains disconnector does not switch off anymore, because there is too much permanent consumption from these filters. We came to the conclusion that we would either have a mains disconnector that has no solution for dirty electricity or a lot more dirty power because there is no more mains disconnector.

Now, whoever knows SFERICS® that this is an unacceptable situation, and it was clear to us that we have to connect them directly to the circuit and not to each socket. The loss of sockets when plugging in Stetzer Filters also disturbs us. We were also told often that after a few months of use, a constant humming would begin to develop, not on all filters, but on some of them in the set.

We have found the practical solution that we wanted with our X21 and X25 mains filters. Both work great together and the Stetzer Microsurge Meter also confirms this. By installing the mains filter, the connected circuit will effectively dampen dirty electricity all day long, even if power is being consumed and the mains decoupler still works the same way. If the mains filter is installed directly next to the mains disconnector, the whole functionality of the mains disconnector is further optimized.

Is the achievable attenuation against Dirty Electricity comparable to the Stetzer filter?

This can be, but does not have to be. We already had both results from the half attenuation to the comparable reduction in the circuit. Up to 3 mains filters can be effectively connected in series to increase damping. Practice has shown that more capacity filters (4, 5, 6 or even more) have no improvement as result. In the end, however, only trying out with the electrician remains.