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the electric source

98.113.217.90
Posted on November 8, 2009 at 07:06:45
bullethead
Audiophile

Posts: 335
Location: New York
Joined: June 15, 2009
Contributor
  Since: July 26, 2009

One thing I've learned here which has made a significant improvement in my system's performance is the importance of power. I use an off the shelf hospital grade power outlet, as well as first class power chords and conditioners.

The question of power too often does not come up. It has come up a lot however here, which I am grateful.

MRI hospital grade., posted on November 8, 2009 at 18:35:01
Al Sekela
Audiophile

Posts: 8281
Location: Northern California
Joined: February 18, 2002
 Pass & Seymour, and perhaps others, make outlets for use near magnetic resonance imaging machines. These machines use very powerful magnetic fields, so any hardware close to them must be completely free of magnetic materials. This freedom from steel parts brings such outlets closer in performance to the Oyaide and similar audio specialty outlets, but without the extra refinement in polish and plating of the contact surfaces.

There is a benefit to the extra attention to good contacts found in Oyaide and similar.

"red" outlets, posted on November 8, 2009 at 09:42:45
FenderLover
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Posts: 3314
Joined: July 31, 2007
Contributor
  Since: May 17, 2009
 I have no idea if this effects local regulations, but a red colored outlet in hospitals means the outlet is connected to an uninterrupted backup power supply. So one is suppose to plug in equipment like ventilators or EKG monitors to these outlets.

Do you notice any audio difference between white and red outlets?

RE: "red" outlets, posted on November 8, 2009 at 11:03:17
bullethead
Audiophile

Posts: 335
Location: New York
Joined: June 15, 2009
Contributor
  Since: July 26, 2009
 The one I have is orange in color. I have a white PS Audio outlet of the same grade in my basement, and no difference between that one and this one. It's a solid connection and works great.

RE: "red" outlets, posted on November 8, 2009 at 13:59:05
jea48
Audiophile

Posts: 3544
Location: Midwest
Joined: January 5, 2005
 The one I have is orange in color

Orange, or an orange triangle, indicates the receptacle is an isolated grounding type receptacle. Not needed when using romex. Caution when using an isolated grounding type receptacle where a plastic rough-in box is used, do not use a metal receptacle cover plate.

If a metal box is used the equipment grounding conductor of the romex must be bonded, connected, to the metal box as well as the green grounding screw on the receptacle. In this instance a metal cover plate can be used.

Are there better types of Romex?, posted on November 8, 2009 at 11:53:50
FenderLover
Audiophile

Posts: 3314
Joined: July 31, 2007
Contributor
  Since: May 17, 2009
 When wiring up a dedicated power line for audio? I redid my wiring about 5 years ago. I used wire similar to the one in the link. With metal boxes and outlets. Flexible metal conduits. Everything approved for by local ordinance & a licenced electrician. Wondering if I should have used hardware more in tune with audio use?

Anyhow, biggest help was rewiring all the digital stuff. Cable TV & computer leads. I tried to keep them as far from electrical conduits as possible (like most power lines in attic crawl space and all digital cables in basement crawl space). And used high speed digital cables. I didn't run these through flexible conduits. Would you recommend this?

Thanks!

RE: Are there better types of Romex?, posted on November 8, 2009 at 13:14:42
bullethead
Audiophile

Posts: 335
Location: New York
Joined: June 15, 2009
Contributor
  Since: July 26, 2009
 I assume there are better types out there. I have the standard stuff myself. Maybe we need a "power" forum on here?

The cable forum, posted on November 8, 2009 at 13:21:49
Metralla
Audiophile

Posts: 6418
Location: San Jose, California
Joined: January 30, 2001
 often discussed there.

Regards,
Geoff
Thanks... will "beam" this post to that forum., posted on November 12, 2009 at 14:15:07
FenderLover
Audiophile

Posts: 3314
Joined: July 31, 2007
Contributor
  Since: May 17, 2009
 nt

Consistent cabling and resonance control......., posted on November 8, 2009 at 08:44:48
lenw
Audiophile

Posts: 383
Location: Florida
Joined: April 11, 2001
 also plays a large role towards an audio system operating at optimum performance. Mixing cables (power, interconnect, speaker) from different manufacturers can result in a reduction of system coherence. Resonance control devices (racks, equipment supports) minimize room, mechanical, and electrical born vibrations that can smear audio.

The three areas that makeup the audio 'system foundation' are power conditioning, consistent cabling, and resonance control.
Len
RE: the electric source, posted on November 8, 2009 at 08:36:10
FastEddy
Industry Professional

Posts: 360
Location: Northern California
Joined: April 19, 2006
 Often over looked when making a change hospital grade power outlets (or other types) is to be sure your copper ground is very, very good and direct. Often the best is a direct "run to home", a separate power line to a dedicated circuit breaker (or fusebox).Suggested: Copper "romex" #12 / 2 with the #14 ground for this up to 100 feet (30 meters). Twist the "romex" about one full turn every two or three feet to get some additional "common mode ripple rejection".
"Truth is one, paths are many" - The Dalai Lama

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