Where was this product 10 years ago? The answer is never satisfactory, but a lot of time is needed before clubs and other public venues can upgrade to current legal standards for power distribution. Peavey is the first broadline pro audio manufacturer to address this missing link in setting up sizable sound reinforcement systems.
The Distro is a two-rackspace portable power distribution unit (PPDU) built to Underwriter’s Labs standards with a 10-foot feeder cable and a NEMA 14-50 plug for typical club receptacle usage. From a mating 14-50 receptacle, which is usually rated for 50 amperes at 240 VAC, the Peavey Distro splits out six 20-ampere at 120 VAC circuits. Each circuit is protected by a 20-ampere magnetic circuit breaker that also doubles as a front panel power switch. The remaining front panel feature is the pair of neon feeder-hot indicators, which meets the National Electric Code (NEC) requirement for monitoring the integrity of hot feeder wires to the neutral feeder.
The rear panel sports a massive feeder cable strain relief to allow the four conductor, six-gauge feeder cable to pass through into the Distro chassis. The remaining feature on the back panel, are six duplex NEMA 5-20 receptacles to permit distribution of the 20-ampere subcircuits. These receptacles are high-quality “spec grade” items able to receive 15- or 20-amp Edison plugs (NEMA-5-15 or NEMA 5-20), common to almost every electrical appliance.
Taking off the chassis cover of the Peavey Distro, everything was in order. All the interconnect wiring was 12-gauge with crimp lugs going to the feeder posts and routing through the breakers to the receptacles. Everything that was screw terminal fastened had lock washers on them so that the bumps of road use would not shake loose any connections. Overall, the build quality was innovative and well executed.
In use, I found the Peavey Distro everything I wanted for a PPDU in a rack panel. While I do not have the six-inch height standoffs for outdoor use, it is expected that most users will have the Distro mounted in wheeled amp racks or have enough common sense to keep the unit off the ground. I do not recommend persons using the Distro without some kind of rackcase around it. While the chassis is up to the task, and provides a handy place to stow the feeder, it makes common sense to stow the unit in a case for extra roadworthiness.
Looking for niggles in the Peavey Distro, I could only come up with one minor detail — I would substitute white receptacles for black receptacles. The rationale is two-fold: The first is mostly cosmetic, as most back-of-rack areas are poorly illuminated; plugging in power cords is best done by visual location rather than feel. The second reason is: White or ivory receptacles do a better job of indicating carbonization of plug/receptacle prongs, which lets you take action to clean the contacts.
I heartily endorse going through the ritual of dabbing Caig Labs DeOxIT and PreserveIT (red and blue) onto all your receptacles and plugs used for power distribution. I keep the little 7.4 milliliter bottles of the red and blue Cramolin just for the small cap-brushes. That way, I can paint up the receptacles and plugs, do a few wet matings to wipe the contacts well and swab the excess fluid off the contact and adjoining surfaces.
Overall, while other companies offer similar products, Peavey has heard the voice of the masses better than the rest. This Distro unit is not only plug-and-play for soundcos. Having the right plug on the right cable for the right number of circuits keeps users from getting into electrical trouble.
What it is: Portable power distro.
Who it’s for: Anyone still using Home Depot power strips.
Pros: Compact, rugged, and nothing else like it.
Cons: Rear receptacle color.
How much: $599.99
Web site: www.peavey.com
