The quantum equaliser was a component of the Space-Time Manipulator that maintained the balance between space and time. A disruption in the quantum equaliser had the potential to open up time streams which could cause temporal displacements.
While Alistair Gryffen was working the quantum equaliser, a sudden power surge caused a time stream which displaced Jorjie Turner from 2050 to November 1963 (TV: The Cambridge Spy)