The exhibit technology team at Bowen Technovation recently chose to install Furman Sound PS-PRO II power conditioner/sequencers and AC-215 power conditioners at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, Mississippi.
The units protect sensitive components in the museum’s multimedia exhibits, while at the same time enhancing audio and video performance for an optimal visitor experience. At any museum, the last thing visitors want to see is an “out of order” sign on a multimedia exhibit.
Opened in September 2008, the 20,000-square-foot museum traces B.B. King’s roots in the Mississippi Delta to international fame as the King of Blues. It blends traditional artifacts from his 60-year career with graphics and interactive media to celebrate his unique legacy and the rich musical history of the Delta.
“For its exhibits, the B.B. King Museum incorporates a large number of audio and video servers, interactive computers, a sophisticated master show control system, and audio amplifiers,” said Jeff Norris, project manager for Bowen Technovation, an Indianapolis-based provider of A/V, lighting, control, and production solutions.
“To protect these sensitive components and ensure maximum performance, it was essential that the supplied power be filtered and corrected, and that all equipment be turned on and off in the correct order.
“To meet this need, we chose Furman’s PS-PRO II. Seven of the power conditioner/sequencers are wired to one central keyswitch, which automates the power up and power down daily.”
The 20-A PS-PRO II contains six sequenced rear panel outlets to power up a rack full of equipment in a three-step delayed sequence and power equipment down by reversing the sequence.
Five PS-PRO II units are located in the museum’s main equipment room, with one in the secondary equipment room and another in the theater’s roll-around cart, which is used by presenters and musical groups.
In addition, Furman’s AC-215 power conditioner is being utilized in the Guitar Studio interactive exhibit, which features Gibson guitars fitted with LED lights, allowing visitors to play along with B.B. while wearing headphones.
The AC-215 comes in a compact 1.75” x 5” x 8.5” design and weighs only three pounds. The unit’s low-profile design makes it ideal for mounting to the back of a flat-screen television, or anywhere that discretely located remote power protection, and purification are needed.
The PS-PRO II and AC-215 both offer Furman’s proprietary Series Multi-Stage Protection (SMP) for comprehensive, non-sacrificial surge/spike protection; Extreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS) to protect equipment from dangerous extreme voltage conditions; and Linear Filtering Technology (LiFT) to reduce AC line noise.
“Since the opening of the museum, the Furman equipment has performed flawlessly; there have been no failures at all. Furthermore, the PS-PRO II and AC-215 have protected connected components from some major power-related damage,” added Norris.
